Critically analyse politicians’ promises

The Right Reverend Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana has called on Ghanaians to thoroughly digest issues being presented by politicians to enable them to make an informed decision on how to vote in the December 2008 general elections.

“I urge you to remain focused on issues being presented by these politicians and not to get carried away by the rhetoric and empty promises,” he said.

Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso who was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Council in Accra said the political temperature had began to mount and there was the need to guard against anything that would disrupt the peace of the nation adding, “We do not have to look far to see what politicians can to a nation with their unguarded statements”.

He said it was therefore necessary for Ghanaians to uphold the cardinal pillars of peace and unity, which the country was built upon, adding that, the interest and well-being of the citizens should be paramount.

Right Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, who is also the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage in this political season saying the media should not use the tool in their hands to aggravate political tension.

“I urge the media to let their conscience help them to decide between that which edifies and that which sparks fire,” he added.

He reminded politicians to work together in making Ghana more united in the quest for development stressing, “United we stand, divided we fall and we have come a long way to be united as a nation than to be divided as individuals”.

Right Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso said the council would continue to advocate for peaceful and just society emphasizing on unity, respect for the dignity and integrity of creation to achieve good governance.

The Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe, General Secretary said the Council had introduced a research based advocacy strategy to enable it to function effectively.

He said despite the staffing and financial constraints, the Council was able to carry out advocacy programmes on child trafficking, conflict resolution, HIV/AIDS education and inter-faith intervention, among others.

Rev. Dr Deegbe said this year the Council would revamp its civic and voter education as well as election observation to ensure good participation in the electoral process.