General News of Sunday, 23 March 2008

Source: GNA

Easter - Accra

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Sunday joined worshippers at the Word Miracle Church International (WMCI) at Dzorwulu in Accra, to celebrate Easter.

Speaking at the service, Right Reverend Charles Agyin Asare, Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Church, used the occasion to remind Ghanaians not to lose sight of the fact that, "this is a very strategic year for us, since we are going for an election where the parties of the major presidential candidates have ruled this nation before, and their flag bearers are seeking another chance to serve this nation as President."

Rt. Rev Asare urged Ghanaians to choose for president and parliamentarians, people of integrity, "that can bring the common wealth of the nation to the benefit of all, and can unify the nation." He asked the flag bearers of the various political parties to put the interest of the nation over and above their political ambitions, and go about their campaigns with decorum and respect for one another. Bishop Asare further urged them to discourage their party faithful and supporters from making inflammatory statements which could provoke violence.

"As much as you want to win, in losing, you should be gentlemen, and wait for the Electoral Commission (EC) to announce the results", he advised the presidential candidates. The Presiding Bishop admitted that though conducting an election for a season like this was not very easy, he appealed to the EC to give Ghanaians a free and fair election.

On the issue of holding the elections on Sunday, Bishop Asare asked the EC to reconsider holding it on Sunday, "since many of the venues to be used on polling day happen to be classrooms and mission premises, which will be busy on the election day with church services." He asked the Media to be circumspect in their reportage, since he said, they could stir the populace for good or evil.

Turning to the Easter festivity, Bishop Asare said by His Death and Resurrection, Christ had brought glory and hope to mankind. He said, as followers of Christ, His Resurrection had given Christians a new hope to start off all over again.

"No matter how many times we have failed, though hopeless and dead, God in His abundant mercy, will, through the power of the Resurrection, forgive us our sins and give us a new lease of life."