Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has hinted that government is taking steps to implement the proposal of charismatic bishops to build concrete roads across the country instead of asphalt roads.
He dropped the hint during this year’s Good Friday Service of the Lighthouse a Chapel International (LCI) at the Independence Square.
The Charismatic Bishops Conference, led by the Presiding Bishop of LCI, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills earlier this year put forward four key proposals for national development, including the need to build concrete roads instead of asphalt roads.
They had argued that Ghana did not produce asphalt and did not have enough local skilled labour for building asphalt roads but the country has cement and also has loads of masons who can help build concrete roads.
The bishops also noted that the Accra-Tema Motorway is an example of how long concrete roads can last as compared to asphalt roads.
The Vice President described the proposal as “pure wisdom” saying that he discussed it with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who then asked the Roads Ministry to do the comparative analysis and costing.
“I am glad to announce to you that when we did the costing we realized a kilometer of concrete road will cost $3.8 million and that of asphalt will cost $2.8 million but the concrete road will last for 40 years while the asphalt will last for only ten years,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia noted that the choice is obvious because in terms of life span it is four is to one in favour of concrete roads so government is going to take the necessary steps to implement that proposal as part of its transformational development policies.
“So very soon we are going to announce the new transformation in our road construction – thanks to Bishop Dag Heward-Mills,” the Vice President said.
Bawumia preaches Christ
The Vice President, a staunch Moslem, turned into a preacher and preached about the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to make life better for all of mankind, quoting John 15:13, which says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
He then called on Ghanaians to emulate the example of Jesus Christ and make sacrifices for the betterment of the country.
“If we call make little sacrifices for our country like Jesus did for mankind, we will make Ghana a better place – and in the same way Christ went into the grave and rose again the third day, no matter how deep Ghana has fallen we can rise again if we make sacrifices,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia assured the public that the Nana Addo-led government is committed to making Ghana self dependent instead of the usual search for aid, adding that they will ensure equitable and non-discriminatory distribution of the national cake, rule of law and absolute security for all.
He spotted former Sport Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah in the congregation and said “I see my friend Elvis here and I want to assure him that Nana Addo will build a Ghana that everybody including people like him will enjoy.”
Bishop Dag
Meanwhile, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, who the Vice President described as an awesome person and a good friend, reemphasized the need for government to build double dual-carriage roads to connect the various cities.
He also stressed the need for government to weed out armed robbery and ensure tight security in the country and ensure the stable supply of water and electricity.
The Bishop also repeated the call for the country to return to the O Level and A Level system to replace the JHS/SHS system, saying the former produced better quality and well educated students than the latter.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills assured the Vice President of the support of the church in terms of prayers and counsel, saying “we don’t support any political party but once you are in power we will support you to succeed so you can count on our support and we trust that you will succeed.”
Meanwhile, early in his Good Friday Sermon, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills noted that Jesus showed so much evidence to support his claim to be the son of God such that it is difficult to doubt him.
“Jesus walked on the sea, calmed the sea, raised three dead bodies, healed many sick people – even demons recognized and submitted to him and he commanded them – he made emphatic and absolute claims that no known originator of any other religion has made,” he said.
The Bishop said “Jesus also shed his blood and for 2000 years it has not expired even though the blood of ordinary people expire after a short while. These are all signs that he is indeed the son of God and if we believe in him he will not fail us.”
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills also prayed for the country, declared blessings on the congregation and prayed for the sick, manny of whom were healed and they testified immediately.
