General News of Sunday, 3 April 2005

Source: GNA

CCG explores ways to reconcile JAK & JJ

Accra, April 3,GNA- The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) is still exploring ways on how to ensure civility and mutual respect between President John Agyekum Kufuor and former President John Jerry Rawlings.

The Reverend Fred Deegbe, Secretary General of the Council said, "we are not expecting the two leaders to eat from the same plate. But we want them to be at least on good terms with each other to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and development."

Rev Deegbe in a chat with journalists on Sunday denied ever stating that the CCG had embarked on a project to use children to bridge the strained relationship between President Kufuor and Former President Rawlings.

An Accra daily in a news item sourcing Rev Deegbe published last week that the Council was to embark on a project involving children to reconcile the two personalities.

"I just suggested that the Junior Graphic should pick the project by soliciting the views of children on reconciling the two and send those views to them for a possible reconciliation."

Rev Deegbe however, admitted that though the issue between the two was beyond children, people should not underestimate them for they were in a position to bring up intelligent ideas that might appeal to the hearts of the two.

He said the Council as a body had indeed made various attempts to, at least make the two personalities to be on good terms, which it would continue to do until, there was some civility between them.

"We will continue to ask God for wisdom on what to do to reconcile the two.

"This is indeed what the Bible admonishes that we should as much as possible be on good terms with one another," he said.

He said the effect of the two to be at loggerheads had much negative impact on the nation and so there was the need to ensure mutual respect between them.