Accra Dec. 25, GNA - The Rev Alfred Ofosu-Asante, a Minister of the Baptist Church on Wednesday said bribery corruption and immorality in the country would reduce to the minimum if church leaders lived above reproach and also held their members accountable for corrupt practices. He said pastors and church leaders should be bold and speak out against corrupt practices even if that meant members leaving the church. Rev Ofosu-Asante was speaking to the GNA after leading the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Teshie-Nungua Estate in a festival of nine lessons and chorals.

He said fear of members leaving the church should not cow the leaders and pastors to keep quiet if members engaged in activities that were not in the interest of the nation. He said pastors and church leaders should speak the truth and be constantly reminded that they were called by God to help make life better for mankind.

Rev Ofosu-Asante noted that Christmas was not a time for drinking and eating but a time to humble one's self and show appreciation to God's love for mankind.

Basing his exhortation on Luke 2:1-14, Rev Ofosu Asante said Christmas was a reminder of the time God took a human form and came into the world to dwell among men and gave peace and love.

He urged humanity to be thankful for such divine love and live at peace and share their blessing with one another.

Rev Ofosu-Asante urged Ghanaians to continue to watch and pray for divine guidance, forgiveness and blessing next year. "The church is supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We must be seen to be fulfilling these functions."

He entreated pastors not to turn their pulpit into political platforms in order to avoid unnecessary division in their churches. Rev Ofosu-Asante said pastors must rather educate their flock to exercise their electoral right as directed by law in next year's general elections.

He also said that to make next year election peaceful such leaders must educate their flock to be at peace with one another and urged political leaders to adopt the peaceful character of Christ and tolerates their opponents' view without bringing unnecessary tension.