Kumasi, Dec. 25, GNA - Right Reverend Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, has appealed to Christians to eschew voter apathy and turn out in their numbers to exercise their franchise on December 28, 2008 for the presidential run-off.

Delivering a Christmas Day message at a special service at the Saint Cyprians' Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi on Thursday, Bishop Yinkah-Sarfo said "the Christmas gift Ghanaians could offer to baby Jesus is to ensure peaceful presidential run-off". He again appealed to Christians to change their attitudes and denounce disunity, tribalism and embrace love, mercy, forgiveness and care for the needy and the afflicted in society. Rt. Rev. Yinkah-Sarfo said people especially Christians ought not to bother so much about the difficulties they were facing now, but rather remained focused on Jesus Christ and praise him for all that he had done for them.

"Christmas brings to mind all that Christ brings to the World, which include, forgiveness, reconciliation, goodwill, peace, joy and hope in all human endeavours in life," the Bishop said. At a different Christmas service, Rev. Monsignor Thomas Manu, Vicar-General of the Konongo-Mampong Catholic Diocese at the Saint Anthony Catholic Church at Ejisu, asked Ghanaians to use the occasion to protect the peace the country had enjoyed over the years. He said that the birth of Christ should be a symbol of peace, unity and tranquillity which must manifest during the presidential run-off on December 28, 2008.

Monsignor Manu was of the view that before Ghanaians could experience absolute peace, they should have the spirit of tolerance, humility and love.

He urged Christians to lead the crusade against all forms of electoral malpractices in the election. The Vicar-General also advised the youth not to allow politicians to use them for their personal gains.