‘Be wary of people whose actions could disturb peace’

April 12, 2008
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua

THE Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has made a passionate appeal to Christians to be wary of people within their communities whose actions and speeches could disturb the peace as the country goes to the polls in December.
He said as the election date drew nearer, certain elements within the communities were poised to foment trouble and that it was the responsibility of Christians to help avert the problem by educating the public to be aware of such people so that they did not follow them to disturb the peace the country was enjoying.
Mr Ofosu Asamoah made the appeal when he addressed the 81st conference of the Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Koforidua on Wednesday during which three Tata pick-up vehicles and four Yamaha motor bicycles purchased by the church were distributed to some of its branches.
The four-day conference, which was on the theme: "Let us go on to maturity", is being attended by delegates from all parts of the presbytery.
According to Mr Ofosu Asamoah, although Ghanaians were affiliated to different political parties trying to win the elections to take on the mantle of leadership, they should tolerate one another, since they were one people, adding that there was the need to exercise restraint as the elections drew nearer.
"This is an election year, and in December, Ghanaians, whether you belong to the National Democratic Congress, the New Patriotic Party or any other party, you are one people only going to elect leaders to steer the affairs of the country so we should live in harmony and forge ahead in unity after the elections," he said.
Mr Ofosu Asamoah also called for religious tolerance. He commended the Presbyterian Church for partnering the government to improve various sectors of the economy, especially education and health, as well as ensuring the spiritual development of the people.
The Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery, Rev (Dr) J.O.Y. Mantey, said a five-year development plan to provide a number of amenities had been initiated to improve the fortunes of the church, its members and society.
They included the construction of a hostel for the Akropong Campus of the Presbyterian University College, rehabilitation of its vocational institute at Adawso, as well as completing various manses and church buildings.
The church, Rev Mantey stated, was also pursuing vigorous evangelism to win more people for Christ.
On education, he said the presbytery had done a lot in that area by establishing 160 basic and junior high schools, two colleges of education and two tertiary institutions, adding that it would continue to invest in that area to improve the lot of the people.
Rev (Dr) Mantey commended the church's Department of Ecumenical and Social Relations for bringing traditional rulers closer to the church.
He praised Nana Asiama Bekoe, the Abiriwhene and Okere Tufuhene, for taking the first initiative among Christian chiefs in the presbytery to carve a new stool, which was dedicated to God instead of the "blackened" one, and expressed the hope that other chiefs within the presbytery would do likewise.
The Rev (Dr) Mantey, who dwelt extensively on various aspects that would promote both the physical and spiritual development of the people, called on all to eschew social vices such as robbery and also to live decent life to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.