By A. C. Ohene, Koforidua

Accra - In a radical move against the government campaign on the use of condoms to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the Church of Pentecost (COP) has advocated chastity before marriage and marital faithfulness instead.

Though commending the efforts of the government and other agencies to abate the onslaught of the scourge, the chairman of the COP, Rev. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, says the call on people to use condoms is not only wrong, but also ineffective.

"The mass importation of male and female condoms rather promotes promiscuity with a false refuge or assurance in condoms. The obvious question is-how about if the condom breaks? He told the Vice President, Prof. John Attah Mills, here on March 30, The leader of the 863, 401membership church was addressing the opening ceremony of the church's 32nd session of the General Council Meeting to which the Veep had been invited.

Rather, than continue the condom-use agenda, Rev.Ntumy called on the campaigners to preach the virtue of chastity and mental faithfulness. And as we educate Ghanaians, especially the youth who are the most vulnerable group, let us ensure that our television screens are free from films and commercials which could lure them into immoral practices or expose them to AIDS", he added."

In view of the prevailing harsh economic conditions, the COP Chairman called an all believers to pray that the Lord may heal the economy. "Let us not forget to pray for the healing of our national economy and for the stabilisation of cocoa and gold prices..."

Touching on the impending elections, Rev.Mike Ntumy implored all political parties to rid their campaigns of violence. "Bothle-breaking, knife-drawing, politicking and other crude, uncivilised electioneering campaigns must not find expression" in the forth coming exercise.

Again, he asked politicians not to take advantage of the ignorance of some rural folks to make unrealistic promises or use corrupt means to win their votes.

"If one gains access to the throne through dubious or fraudulent means, one will ultimately find one's exit in great humiliation," he warned.

Unlike some churches which have openly identified themselves with one political party or the other the, COP said it would continue to maintain its traditional non-partisan position.

The leader, however, explained that the church would always support the government of the day with prayers and occasional courtesy calls - though as individuals, members of the church have their own political indinations".

Rev. Ntumy disapproved of the manner the police had, so far, handled the murder of 20 women and some men in the cities recently. He said the fact that no serious arrest had been made at the time was rather strange in view of the fact that the security agencies are capable of unravelling any mystery, their constraints notwithstanding.

In view of that, he strongly appealed to President Rawlings to institute very strong measures, just as he promised to do, to end this gruesome syndrome in the shorted possible time".

In a fraternal message, the Eastern Regional Minister, Miss Patience Addow, expressed disquiet about the manner doomsday prophets and preachers of strange doctrines are exploring the vulnerability of the public.

She urged all Christians, therefore, to remain unshaken and stronger in their faith in Jesus Christ and not to be carried away by the lies of false prophets.