Agweng, Lango – April 17, 2025– The Bishop of the Diocese of Lango, Professor Alfred Olwa, has called on Christians and residents of Lango to embrace cocoa and coffee farming as a sustainable way to fight poverty and achieve economic independence.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of a cocoa seedlings distribution initiative at Agweng Parents Nursery and Primary School, Bishop Olwa emphasized that hard work aligns with the teachings of God.
“God is a working God, and when we refuse to work, we go against His will,"*he declared, linking the Easter season’s message of renewal to agricultural productivity.
The seedlings were donated by Retired Major Emmy Johnson Opio, a former military officer and aspiring Member of Parliament for Erute North.
Bishop Olwa pledged to lead by example, stating that he would personally plant cocoa and coffee to inspire Christians to follow suit.
“I will not just preach; I will also plant. Let us move from words to action,"he urged.
Retired Major Opio, who facilitated the donation of nearly 60,000 cocoa seedlings, described coffee and cocoa as lucrative perennial crops capable of transforming livelihoods.
“These crops are not just about money—they are about decolonizing our economy,"Opio said.
“If we invest in agriculture, Africa will no longer be dependent. Instead, we will have the strength to economically influence the Western world."
The retired major, who is vying for the Erute North MP seat, also revealed his ambition to become Deputy Speaker of Parliament if elected in 2026.
Both Bishop Olwa and Major Opio stressed that consistent hard work is the only way to escape poverty. The bishop warned against laziness, stating that “poverty is not God’s plan for His people."
The event drew hundreds of farmers and community members, many of whom left with cocoa seedlings and renewed determination to invest in agribusiness.
As Lango Diocese shifts focus from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, Bishop Olwa’s message is clear: “Plant today, prosper tomorrow."
