'Leadership Not About Height'

Reverend Thomas Forson of the Adabraka Methodist Church in Accra has stated that God is not looking for a tall or short person to rule mother Ghana.

Rather, the Omnipotent Father would in His own wisdom give Ghanaians someone who can steer the affairs of the nation with a pure heart and the fear of God.

He said this at a day's prayer and fasting session organised by the Christian Fellowship members of the Electoral Commission (EC) for peaceful general elections yesterday.

In addition, he noted that appearances could be very deceptive, hence one's true character does not have any relationship with his or her 'outer shell'.

Speaking on the theme: “Seek Peace and Pursue it”, Rev. Forson said that “we can seek peace when we collectively and actively pursue it”, scolding all men who have not yet seen what war entails and are chanting as well as craving for such a bizarre phenomenon in the country.

He advised that the citizenry should instead of beating war drums, yearn for peace and encourage each other in their every endeavour to promote harmony in homes.

In the midst of confusion, he stated that “God is in control” but Ghanaians must avoid any violent act during the December polls.

For him, the onus of every Ghanaian now is to vote for a person who does not engage in bribery or any form of inducement to win an election.

A message, which was delivered on behalf of the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Djan by Mr. Samuel Boadu, Principal Electoral Officer, indicated that this year's general elections would be an improved exercise over previous elections ever held in the country since 1992.

However, Dr. Afari-Djan implored political parties to recruit responsible party agents to the various polling stations in the country.

“Recruit people who can read and write or in simple terms they should be abreast of arithmetic,” he added.

He advised also that anybody who casts his or her vote should leave the polling station without being forced out. “They can only come back after 5pm to observe the counting of ballot papers.”

For the media, he cautioned that they should not be in a haste to spread the elections results but rather rely on an authentic and the final results penned by the EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Djan.

On his part, Rev. Mawuli Apreku, also at the EC, said political parties should not use inflammatory languages at their political rallies, but stick to issues contained in their manifestoes.

“It is our prayer and fervent appeal to the political leaders of these parties to sit and discuss problems they envisage in the electoral process instead of casting doubts at the efficiency and integrity of the EC,” he emphasised. 

There was a regional intercessory prayer for peaceful elections, led by Rev. Mrs. Oware.

By Nathaniel Y.Yankson