Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations has said the essence of Christianity goes beyond merely attending church services or praying to involve making positive impacts in people’s lives.
Speaking at the 10th Episcopal Anniversary of Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, the Bishop of Ho Catholic Diocese, Ho, Mr Afriyie insisted that the ultimate measure of faith was the positive impact it had on others, rather than mere religious observance.
He highlighted the need to apply biblical principles in daily life to make a difference – serving others, showing compassion, and demonstrating love and kindness, citing the premiering of the 10th anniversary diocesan documentary chronicling the diocese’s journey, challenges, and triumphs in social intervention, primarily in the areas of health and education.
“As you watched the video and saw all the things that he (Bishop Fianu) has done and continues to do, it takes us back to Genesis 1:28, Genesis 3:8,…In Genesis 2:15, the Lord commanded man to dress the garden and to keep it. The garden is the earth, the country, the resources that God has given us, and it’s our responsibility to dress it and keep it so that it will impact positively on the lives of people.
Christianity is not just about going to church or praying, but it’s about having a positive impact on the lives of people. People must eat. People must have water to drink. People must have a roof over their heads. Those necessities are not in heaven. In heaven, there is no hunger, and there is no sickness. And we as Christians, as the light of the earth, we must ensure that we put in place those structures to enable people to live properly.

Mr Ankrah also highlighted the importance of religious faith in nation-building through shaping moral virtues and ensuring peace among others and congratulated Bishop Fianu who is also the Chairman of National Peace Council for his leadership and contributions to the Council.
“President Mahama has also said that peace is a foundation upon which progress is built. His 24-Hour Economy initiative under the Reset Agenda reflects this vision, an economy where opportunities abound, jobs are created, and lives are transformed. But this national agenda can only flourish if we, as people of faith, continue to nurture peace, justice, and integrity in our communities just as Bishop Fianu has consistently done.”
Rev Fr Emmanuel Dotse Komla, Chairman of the Anniversary Central Planning Committee described the celebration as a journey of grace, growth and of God’s enduring faithfulness adding, it was a moment to reflect on how far the diocese had come under the steady, prayerful leadership of their Bishop, and to recommit themselves to the mission ahead.
“You have led with grace and fortitude. You have built bridges, nurtured souls, and strengthened institutions,” he congratulated the bishop.
Bishop Fianu thanked God for being good to the diocese in the past decade, helping it build on the foundations laid by its predecessor while expressing gratitude to all collaborators for helping to move the diocese forward, and looking forward in hope for more collaboration from all sectors of the diocese to build on the present for a better future.
Proceeds from the anniversary celebration themed, “A Decade of Shepherding God’s Flock; Looking into the Future as Pilgrims of Hope,” and attended by the clergy, Muslim clerics and traditional rulers, would be committed towards completing a cathedral project at Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Ho-Bankoe started in the 2000s to provide a larger and more dignified space for diocesan liturgical celebrations.
Bishop Fianu, during his 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination in July 2015, had the Vatican Radio announcing him as the bishop-elect of Ho and was later ordained and installed in October same year.