Politicians urged to mind their language in campaigns

Breman Essiam (C/R), Aug. 21, GNA - The General Head of Musama Disco Christo Church, Prophet Dr Miritaiah Jonas Jehu-Appiah Akaboha III has called on politicians and their followers to guard against utterances that could plunge the nation into war.

He said the supporters and members of ruling and opposition parties must do the nation a favour by helping to allow the country to continue to enjoy the peace and stability prevailing to promote socio-economic advancement of the people.

Speaking at the joint-service attended by more than 300 members, organised by the Breman Essiam Circuit of the Church, Prophet Dr Jehu-Appiah said it was sad to note that people just got up to insult the President and the Ministers of State, saying these did not enhance peace and prosperity of the country.

He charged the state institutions mandated by the Constitution to organise forums and others seminars to sensitise the politicians and their supporters on the need to use decent language to conduct their campaigns in the run up to Election 2004.

Prophet Dr Jehu-Appiah noted that, "when we abuse the freedom of speech prevailing in the country, the outcome would be violence and there is the need to protect and preserve it".

He said some people had fled to seek refuge in Ghana because of wars and conflicts created by certain politicians, who wanted power through foul means and asked Ghanaians to learn a great lesson from them.

" We should not condemned and 'bad-mouth' leaders who had ruled and those still ruling the nation", the Head of MDCC said. He stressed that, before the majority could elect anybody or someone then, God had ordained the person before he or she was born and the needed respect must be accorded the person.

The General Head charged the media to continue to play its watchdog role but to desist from bashing the President and Ministers of State, adding, media practitioners had been mandated by the Constitution of the country to criticise but must be circumspect in their duty to enhance productivity.

Prophet Dr Jehu-Appiah called on Ghanaians to vote for people, who were dedicated and visionary so that they could work effectively to improve he living standards of the electorate.

Prophet Dr Jehu-Appiah charged the churches to pray hard for peaceful elections, saying that, if there were war, they could not conduct their normal services as expected.

He led the congregation to pray for peaceful elections and economic prosperity for the nation.