The General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana (BSG), Very Reverend Dr. John K. Addo Jnr., has underscored the vital role of unity in national development and called on Ghanaians to embrace diversity as a strength in building a stronger nation.
Speaking at the Bible Week Symposium in Accra on Thursday, under the theme “The Bible and Unity for Nation Building,” Rev. Dr. Addo Jnr. explained that unity does not mean uniformity, but rather the recognition of diversity as an asset. He cautioned against divisions fueled by political, religious and ethnic differences, stressing that such conflicts could derail the country’s development and result in loss of lives.
“Diversity is an unavoidable reality of life. Just as the body is made up of many parts working together, so too must people of different backgrounds and perspectives collaborate to build a prosperous nation,” he stated.
Rev. Dr. Addo Jnr. also emphasized that a divided society cannot make progress and urged Ghanaians to transform their political and ideological differences into productive dialogue, rather than fostering discord.
He criticized partisan politics that prioritizes party interests over national development, questioning why individuals with valuable ideas should wait for their party to come to power before sharing them.
“If I have ideas that will build the nation, why should I wait until my party is in power before I share them? That mindset will not build our nation,” he remarked.
The former Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, called on churches to take a more proactive role in promoting peace and unity, extending their influence beyond their congregations.
He encouraged faith-based organizations to engage with communities, including those of different beliefs, to foster national cohesion.
Ms. Lucille Hewlett, the Right to Information (RTI) Officer at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), stressed that unity must begin at home, where children are taught values that shape their future interactions.
