Day: March 29, 2024

Many Churches in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis held church services to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary more than 2000 years ago. Others also held crusades and conventions to mark the day, with many of the churches filled to capacity. Many of them were clad in either red or black clothes, while others wore their society uniforms to signify their grief at the death of Jesus. At the Assemblies of God-Glory and Power Centre at Kweikuma, in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Pastor Richard Nelson, Associate Pastor, called on Christians to reflect on the testimony shared on Calvary in remembrance of Christ as they celebrate Easter. He spoke on the theme: 'The Testimony on Calvary,' quoting from Mathew 27:51-54. He said, that as Christians commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it was mandatory for all to ponder on the pain and humiliation Christ went through for their transgressions and the restoration price he paid to renew the relationship mankind once had with God in the Garden of Eden. He noted that, after Jesus was crucified on the cross and died, 'the earth shook and the curtains in the temple divided into two signifying our direct access to God, restoration and the reconciliation back to our first love.' Pastor Enkson reiterated the need for Christians to be fervent in spirit and be in the mood of prayer and almsgiving… 'showing love to one another is not all about Easter, sharing the testimony of Christ is the greatest gift one can give out during Easter,' he said. He also urged Christians to ponder on the words uttered by the Centurion 'saying indeed Christ is the son of God.' He assured Christians of the change, transformation and possibilities that came with the death of Christ, adding that Christ had paid all the debt and that they ought to rejoice for the blood shed on Calvary. At the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic cathedral, Most Reverend Bishop John Baptist Attakruh, Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi catholic diocese led the parishioners to pray the fourteen stations of the cross in batches on the cathedral premises He also participated in the prayer of Divine Mercy. Later in a sermon, he urged the parishioners to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus and change their ways. He asked them to be true Catholics and lead lives that showed they were true followers of Jesus Christ. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Very Reverend Samuel Kwebu Dadzie, Superintendent Minister of Emmaus Methodist Church, Awoshie, has urged Christians to emulate Christ's principle and nature of forgiveness. Rev. Dadzie, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said Christ whom Christians celebrated every Easter, willingly forgave his torturers, mockers, and the rest of humanity without any charges and conditions attached, hence Christians must follow the same, saying they would not lose anything if they did so. 'What do you lose when you forgive? You don't lose anything, but glory is given to God through your forgiveness. We have always lived in peace and enjoyed God's mercies because of his love for us. And we can count ourselves among his children because he has forgiven us so, we should always ensure we forgive others,' he said. 'We are human, yes! But let us not forget the fact that if we forgive, Christ also forgives us. For He says when we forgive our brothers their sins, he will also forgive us,' he stressed. When asked if the State needed to punish criminality he stressed the need for Christians not to take advantage of forgiveness and be lawless. 'If you do what is wrong against the State, you must face the consequences. But you can be forgiven if you show remorse. You cannot say that because we are all one people so if you do anything against the law, we just say we forgive you. No! The right thing must be done by following the law of the land. As Christians, we should be law-abiding. This does not erase the fact that we must forgive each other,' he said. Christians worldwide observe Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. First-century accounts from non-Christian scholars such as Josephus and Tacitus suggest the crucifixion date to be between AD 30 and AD 36. Other analysis done by some contemporary historians who have studied the Jewish and Greco-Roman documents, accounts and astronomical calendars, pitched Jesus' death to have occurred on Friday, April 3, AD 33. Source: Ghana News Agenc y

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region are looking for a man who allegedly sodomised a 10-year-old boy. According to the region's Head of Crime Prevention Deputy Commissioner Wynand Neels on Thursday, the incident happened on Monday around 14h00 at Ondombe yOmuthiya. The victim is a Grade 5 learner. 'It is alleged that the suspect who is a cattle herder and neighbour of the victim, went to herd cattle with the victim in the field,' reported Neels. It is alleged that while in the shade of a tree, the suspect asked the victim to remove his trousers so that he could have anal sex with him and offered the boy N.dollars 20. 'The victim refused, but the suspect removed his trouser and forcefully raped the victim and the suspect repeated it again the same day, and warned the victim not to tell anyone,' Neels said. The victim the next morning informed his grandmother that he was experiencing pain. 'The grandmother then checked and found bruises around the victim's private parts and insisted to hear the truth from her grandson,' Neels added. The grandmother took the victim to the police on Wednesday morning and opened a case the same day. The victim was taken to Omuthiya District Hospital for medical attention. The suspect's age is unknown and he has not yet been arrested as he could not be found but the investigation continues. Separately, two suicide cases were reported on Thursday in the region. A 24-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging on Thursday at about 00:00 at Ondonga village, while a 46-year-old man was found hanging in a mopane tree on Thursday at 10h00 at Amukulungundju village. Investigations into the incidents have been launched. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Keetmanshoop Municipality on Thursday renamed nine streets in honour of various individuals that played an important role in the development of the town over the years. Keetmanshoop Mayor, McDonald Hanse said naming a street is far more than just an administrative task, it is a symbolic gesture that ensures the perpetual remembrance of those who have made significant contributions to society. 'Today we pay tribute to forward-thinking individuals whose ideas, dedication and tireless efforts have enriched our community, these remarkable individuals have left behind legacies that will continue to inspire generations to come whether through acts of service, innovation or public leadership,' he said. He said the true measure of a town lies not only in its infrastructure but also in the strength of its character and resilience of its people. 'May these streets serve as beacons of hope, symbols of unity and tributes to the enduring legacies of these remarkable individuals. Let us recommit ourselves to build ing a Keetmanshoop that embodies the values and aspirations for which these individuals stood, let us strive to emulate their passion for progress and their unwavering commitment to the community,' he said. One of the beneficiaries, Ingo Klitzke, a businessman and hotelier at the southern town said: 'I am thankful for the gesture by the municipality to give me such a recognition while I am still alive, Keetmanshoop is my home and will also be my home, its people will also be my people, thank you and I appreciate it.' Clyde Kröhne, a son to the late Albert Kröhne who a street was named after, said: 'I see today's unveiling as a loving gift and I shall proudly stand here proclaiming to all and to generations to come that people like my father were faithful, history has preserved the name of a man who played a pivotal role in the transition of our town, the livelihood of our people and the politics of the day.' The street name changes are: Fifth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Dr Rev Nicholas Christiaans First Avenue in the central business district renamed after Bishop Antonio Chimenelo Nineteenth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Pastor Simon Tiboth Mittel Street in the CBD renamed after Roy Oosthuizen Fourth Street in the CBD renamed after Hennie Theron Windhoek Weg Road in Kronlein renamed after Albert Louw North Street in Kronlein renamed after Albert Kröhne Twelfth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Jonathan Goliath Cathedral Street in the CBD renamed after Ingo Klitzke Source: Namibia Press Agency