Kumasi, Dec. 25, GNA - The Most Reverend Thomas Kwaku Mensah, Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, has called on Christians to be submissive and law abiding to promote peace and harmony in the country. He said the birth of Christ in a manger symbolized humility, simplicity and the readiness to serve others, adding that God abhors undisciplined, arrogant, selfish and spiteful people.

The Metropolitan Archbishop in a sermon at the Saint Peter's Cathedral Basilica in Kumasi on Christmas day, asked worshippers who filled the Basilica to capacity, to eschew wickedness, be faithful and remain holy and wait for God's salvation.

He said reminded Christians that they were obliged to protect the environment to sustain healthy life style.

Right Reverend Professor Osei Sarfo-Kantanka, Methodist Bishop of the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Kumasi, in Christmas message on the theme: "Where is the promise peace?", expressed concern about rising ethnic, communal and political conflicts in the country.

He said the situation if not stopped would affect the country's socio-economic and political development and appealed to all Ghanaians to live in peace.

Rt. Rev. Prof. Sarfo-Kantanka said the birth of Jesus Christ enjoins Christians to preach peace and unity and demonstrate genuine commitment to the principles of Christianity to ensure spiritual growth.

He asked Ghanaians to rally behind the government to enable it to achieve its goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the nation. At the Bantama Peyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev Peter Kofi Nyarko, said: "Christ's birth has brought hope to mankind" and asked Ghanaians not only make merry but to reflect on how to change negative attitudes impeding national progress as the celebrated the event.

He advised Ghanaians to refrain from divisive tendencies and ensure a unity to advance the country's development agenda.