Help hasten the pace of democracy - Bishop Darko.

Takoradi, April 16, - GNA - The people have been reminded of their duty at each given time to demand that transparency, accountability, honesty and faithfulness become the watchword of those in authority to hasten the pace of the country's "painful journey" towards true democracy, prosperity and social justice.

The Most Reverend John Martin Darko, Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese said, while there is the need to be vigilant to put the government on its toes, all actions and words must be legitimate and objective.

He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on recent national issues, particular the price hike in petroleum products that precipitated the "Wahala demonstrations" by the Committee for Joint Action (CJA). Bishop Darko said sometimes the people had to accept and go through hard times due to "genuine and unavoidable" circumstances.

However, difficulties brought about as a result of corruption, greed and selfishness had to be resisted through spontaneous action devoid of violence and destruction of public property.

On the demonstrations, he said what the people must concern themselves with, is not how to get the prices of petroleum products to come down since the country does not produce crude oil.

Bishop Darko said what is important is to consider seriously how to get realistic salaries and wages to meet basic needs of the people. He spoke against the tendency of some people who allow themselves to be manipulated by those who would want to "impose their ideas on the rest of the people".

The language and insults by some speakers at public forums were not representative of the Ghanaian who respects his elders, and this leaves much to be desired. Bishop Darko emphasised.

He also called for measures that would help to bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the society.