Tema, Dec 25, GNA -- Reverend Derek Joe Eghan, Senior Pastor of Tower of Praise Sanctuary (TOPS) has advocated the creation of a religious office in parliament to serve the spiritual needs of the country. Giving a Christmas message through the Ghana News Agency in Tema, Rev. Eghan said the government needed to seek the counsel of religious leaders concerning God's plans for the nation.

"I recommend that religious offices should be created in all public institutions especially parliament for the council of God to be introduced into the lives of Ghanaians", he stated.

He said the country needed more than the brief prayers offered during national functions, as according to him, those prayers only cover the day's event.

The Rev. Minister advised the government to emulate the United States in seeking opinions of religious leaders on their policies adding that, the US national motto 'In God We Trust' reflected their dependency on God.

He therefore supported the call for the inclusion of religious and moral education in the new educational reform, stating that the high moral decadence among the youth was very alarming. Touching on the celebration of Christmas, Rev Eghan said the world has lost the true meaning of the celebration as people often observe the day with immoral activities. "Christmas should be the perfect time for stock-taking of our lives instead of wasting our lives at drinking spots and engaging in ungodly activities", he added.

He noted that it was the responsibility of Christians to reach out to the needy and express their love towards them during Christmas in fulfillment of God's love for the world.