Catholic Bishops Admonish Electorate

THE Catholic Bishop's Conference has reminded Ghanaians of the need to conduct themselves responsibly at Sunday's election to ensure its success for the nation.

It also appealed to people to stop professing for Ghana the violent events in Kenya, Zimbabwe and other war-torn countries, saying that the best camparison should be with other countries that have witnessed successful election.

A communiqué issued by the conference was read by the Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archibishop of Accra, when he dedicated the St. George Catholic Church at the Police Training School, Tesano in Accra.

The church building was the brain child of Rev Fr. Superintendent George Arthur , a chaplain of the Police Service.

Most Rev. Buckle said it was not the best for people to be citing violence just because of election, adding that the Bishops Conference was hopeful that Sunday's election would be peaceful.

He said that casting our minds back of the successes that were chalked in the four previous elections, it is certain that Sunday's election will also be peaceful and successful.

"Ghanaians are peace loving people and I know they will not raise guns, cutlasses or do anything that would mar the successful election that we are hoping for or derail the peace that the country is enjoying", he said".

He said the Bishops were very much concerned about the prevailing political atmosphere as the country prepares for the forthcoming elections.

"Certain pronouncements and actions by highly-placed Ghanaians do not promote peace; rather, they are creating fear, rancour, mistrust, bitterness and resentment.

"The spate of recent political violence in parts of the country such as Sankare, Suhum, Berekum, Bekwai and Gushiegu, to mention a few, leaves much to be desire".

He said "although we issued a pastoral letter on the elections a few weeks ago, our concern about the worrying political landscape has made it necessary for us to revisit the issue." Bishop Buckle appealed to the media to be fair, honest, objective and circumspect in their reportage, adding that they should not assume that only their view represent the whole truth.