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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged the country's religious bodies to instill discipline and high level of integrity in their members and followers.

Speaking at the 86th Annual National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission on Thursday, January 4, 2018 under the theme "Ensuring a Disciplined Society: The Role of Religion", Dr. Bawumia highlighted the significance and roles of the religious bodies in shaping the society.

According to him, religious leaders have the ultimate responsibility to train their congregants to control their behaviour in ways that positively serve the society.

"This coaching is done at the various strata of society. It begins from the lowest stratum at the home, the family, community, formal education sector, mosques, and churches, among others...religious bodies have a mandate to provide training that is capable to transform society and the individual. Without this guidance, the human being, in his physical state, has the tendency towards unacceptable behaviours. Religion is supposed to regulate man’s behaviour in such a way that mankind is guided through reason and understanding. This, brings a person’s physical state under control in an orderly and proper manner", he addressed the gathering.

Dr. Bawumia also used the occasion to reiterate the government’s commitment and willingness to partner religious entities to eschew corruption and other social vices that erode the moral fabric of the economy.

"...there is no doubt that majority of Ghanaians belong to one religion or the other. However, the role of religion in shaping and moulding the moral character of citizens has lately been questioned in terms of deliverables...9. The greatest remedy to all of these vices is the continuous inculcation of discipline into the moral fabric of the Ghanaian people and I challenge religious bodies to do more in this direction.

"The Government of Nana Akufo-Addo is committed to building a robust economy to provide equal opportunity for all Ghanaians by rolling out some bold policy initiatives. These initiatives require high levels of collaboration, commitment and discipline to be successful".