Govt, Church must become partners to address social ills – Minister Harmon

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Sunday evening sounded a call for the Church and other faith-based organisations to partner with the Government to address social ills, noting that the two entities share common goals and a vision of a good life for citizens.

The Minister of State was at the time addressing the congregation of the Restoration and Life Ministries (RLM) in South Ruimveldt at a special service held in observance of the church’s 11th anniversary, which was held under the theme, “Striving for Perfection.”
He noted that the Government and the Church must work together to build social cohesion, moral rearmament, human dignity, and equal opportunity for all Guyanese. This, he said, therefore makes the Government and faith-based organisations natural partners in the fight against racial and ethnic division, discrimination, poverty, crime, and all other social ills that plague society.
“Like your church, the Government strive every day to improve its approach to policy-making and implementation. This is never easily achieved. However, it is important that we keep trying. Our efforts are certainly made easier with the input of faith-based organisations such as yours. The Government is cognisant of the fact that this church serves the community and provides spiritual succour and important relief for the members and community. I am inspired by the leadership and the work of the church,” he said.
Referencing President David Granger’s speech at the Solomon’s Temple in Berbice in August 2017, Minister Harmon said that the Church must play a greater role in fostering social cohesion and national unity.
He, therefore, called for a concerted effort to be undertaken even as the country prepared for the new oil and gas industry, which he said would bring even more spiritual and technical challenges.
Meanwhile, Founder and Senior Pastor of the RLM, Wade Ridley said that the church “had small beginnings”, but has now grown to provide spiritual guidance and community service to hundreds.