It was a spectacle of long winding queues when the Calvary Charismatic Centre opened a pick for free mall dabbed the Jesus Mall in the auditorium of its headquarters at Ayigya in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The bazaar of freebies, first of its kind in the Region, formed part of the church’s day long WORKERFEST outreach in commemoration of International Labour Day.

The items ranged from household effects, toiletries, confectionaries, provisions; quality designer clothes, fabric, shoes, school and work uniforms, office furniture and decorations, babies clothing and beddings, toys, men’s suits and smocks among several others,

The Jesus Mall also stocked home and kitchen appliances including Gas Stoves, refrigerators, Microwaves, fans, Computers, television sets, pressing irons and a host of others.

Resident Pastor Joshua Obeng indicated that the festival was aimed at inculcating the spirit of giving and sharing as engendered in the doctrines of the Church community.

“The bible does not tell us to give only if we have in abundance or when it is all well with you. The Bible makes us know that we are to give whether it is hard times or easy times.”

Because May 1st is a workers holiday, we want to help workers ease their burdens and feel stress free. You are always working but on this holiday, you come to pick something for free,” Pastor Joshua Obeng pointed out.

The church also mounted professional consultancy stands where Health workers, entrepreneurs and legal luminaries were on hand to offer pro bono services to anyone who walked in with an issue.

Private Legal Practitioner Akwasi Arhin insisted that most labour related cases including abuse, unfair dismissals and general poor working conditions that came to the team were a result of inadequate knowledge of worker rights guaranteed in the labour laws of the country.

“Several people are working casually and don’t know what to do to become permanent staff. Some are rendered redundant and others are forced into compulsory retirement but do not know what to do. I think everyone has to go through the Labour Law Act 651,” he admonished.

He charged workers to seek legal advice when they felt unfairly treated and appeal for legal aid if they cannot afford the cost of pursuing any case of worker injustice.

A former Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of Health Dr Yeboah Awudzie cautioned workers against over-concentrating on work to the detriment of their health.

He described as unhealthful, Refusal to take leave and failure to observe regular health screening.

Apart from the Jesus Mall experience, Workers and non-workers alike, Church members and non-church members equally, were treated to free meals, fun games, beauty makeovers, music and dancing all day long.

Commenting on the craze for travelling outside to seek greener pastures; Resident Pastor Joshua Obeng expressed concern that the country risked becoming a ghost country if urgent steps were not immediately taken to offer decent jobs and livelihoods to the teaming youth of the country.

He however stressed the need for Ghanaians to adopt the virtue of trust and diligence at their workplaces.

The WorkerFest showdown appears to have taken the act of giving and worker appreciation to another level. The church is however poised to make it a regular in Kumasi every other Workers’ Holiday.

By: Ivan Heathcote – Fumador.