Aspire to moral uprightness – Sherry Ayittey

Ghanaians have been advised to aspire to moral uprightness for their spiritual uplift and national economic growth and development.

The Minister of Health, Ms Sherry Ayittey, gave the advice at the 82nd National Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, at Winneba.

She stated: “We should know we all want to go to heaven when we die. One door to heaven is to live and die as a morally upright person.” 

Ahmadis from various parts of the country and abroad attended the convention, which was on the theme: “Uprightness: The foundation for economic and special growth.”

Ms Ayittey said the theme could not have been more appropriate because moral uprightness was the prescription for good behaviour and excellent character.

  Human capital
Ms Ayittey added that human capital was the most important factor for economic growth and development in any country.

But she noted: “If the human resource is to serve the purpose of economic growth and social well-being, this requires that the people are imbued with qualities of moral uprightness.”

She mentioned discipline, hard work and love for neighbour and nation as examples of moral uprightness, adding that individuals imbued with such virtues could influence social and economic growth in many ways.

Ms Ayittey said the nation required leaders with the sterling qualities of integrity, transparency and accountability and who were responsive to the needs of the people.

“Morally upright leaders will eschew corrupt practices, avoid waste of resources and use the state resources for the benefit of all, and the end result is a fair and equitable society,” she said.

  Health issues
Ms Ayittey used the occasion to share some health concerns with the Ahmadi delegates, saying Africa bore about half of the global disease burden and there was the need to address that challenge.

She said Ghana had not been spared natural and man-made disasters that had affected the health and livelihoods of millions of people.

“This calls for Ghana to focus more on disaster preparedness and response,” she said.