Rev Minister cautions politicians

Activists of the various political parties, especially the top echelons, have been cautioned not to allow their craving for political power to plunge the nation into political turmoil in which innocent people could lose their lives, and also leave untold hardships for the citizenry.

Florence Ofori Atta, pastor in charge of the South Odorkor-Sakaman Ramseyer Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who gave the caution yesterday, also called on all Ghanaians to collectively work at ensuring violence-free elections in December.

Rev Ofori Atta particularly urged the Electoral Commission, Government, the security agencies and the leadership of the various political parties to seek effective collaboration with one another to create the enabling environment that would ensure smooth and peaceful running of the elections.

She was preaching at a special service organised to launch the Church's 20th Anniversary and dedication of its Chapel complex.

According to the Presbyterian Minister, various developments in the nation, including the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, point to a bright and prosperous future for the nation, adding "that is why all of us have to ensure that we maintain the peace in the country to enable us enjoy the prosperity and blessings in store for the nation."

"We now have oil in our country, and that is God's blessing. We need to acknowledge that and give thanks to the Lord. Things will change in Ghana; there are better days ahead of us," she predicted.

Making allusion to the accolade conferred on the nation as an island of peace, as well as a beacon of hope and democracy, in Africa, Rev Ofori Atta described the December election as a "serous test of how peace-loving we are as a people."

"The whole world is watching to see what happens in Ghana in December. Let's all seek and pursue peace, to prove to the whole world that we are indeed peace-loving people who have embraced the tenets of true democracy," she stressed.

Theresa Ameley Tagoe, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, who was the Guest of Honour, charged Christians to lead lives that are worthy of emulation so that they could impact positively on people who come into contact with them.

Ms Ameley Tagoe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, called on the Church to seek effective partnership with Government in the effort of improving the socio-economic circumstances of the people, stressing "both Christianity and Government is about the well-being of people."