The Right Reverend Kofi Asare Bediako, Methodist Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, at the weekend called on all leaders to embrace moral behaviour as taught in the scriptures.

He was delivering the sermon at the Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church in Sunyani, during an induction service for new connexional officers of the Methodist Youth Brigade Group at the close of its annual conference.

The four-day conference was on the theme: “Using the Word of God as Standard for leadership”.

Rt. Rev. Asare Bediako, who represented the Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Church, said:“Oratory, persuasion and sweet words without moral behaviour cannot take any leader through the entire distance” and cited Proverbs 29:2, which states that “when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked man rules the people groan”.

He said Ghanaians were discerning and would sooner or later find out that some leaders are not trust worthy and added that “If we value wealth as more important than life, we shall steal funds or rationing meant for paupers and watch them starve to death. Leaders must allow the word of God to shape their lives.”

Bishop Asare Bediako said the story of the feast of the Passover set out by Christ to serve his disciples in the Bible should be enough lesson for leaders of the wisest role expected of them.

“A servant leader shows empathy towards his or her subordinates, loves them, cares for them, wants the best for and from them and assists their performance,”he said.

Rt. Rev Asare Bediako expressed regret that some African leaders wanted to hang on to power even when they knew they were no longer relevant.

He said: “Some leaders also misuse their position to the extent that they entertain fears that their successors might expose them if they leave the scene, Others fail to identify leaders, build them up, give them resources, authority and responsibility, thereby making such leaders insecure let alone making them to give power to others when their time is up for them to leave the scene.”

Rt. Rev. Asare Bediako urged the leadership of the youth brigade of the church to train the youth in leadership to enable them to take up leadership positions..