Sekondi, April 9, GNA - Ghanaians have been told that the current peace and harmony they enjoy are precious assets that must be jealously guarded by all.

Ms Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said recent reports of communal violence in Kumasi, Adoagyiri, parts of Accra and other places, are too fresh to assume that all is well with the people. She said the people, particularly Christians, have a duty to work for the sustenance of respect and understanding to enhance peaceful coexistence.

Ms Horner-Sam was speaking at a thanksgiving service to round-off activities marking the 19th presbytery of the Western Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Sekondi on Sunday.

The five-day presbytery was under the theme: "That all may be one". Ms Horner-Sam however, noted with concern that there was deep-seated division among members of some Churches; a situation she said, must be a source of worry to well-meaning Christians. Ms Horner-Sam appealed to the Churches to educate their members about the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to register.

In a sermon, Reverend Joseph Annang Obodai, Presbytery Chairperson advised the people to eschew evil and lead lives worthy of emulation and not to become slaves to sin.

"Good Christians always think and work for the good of society", Rev. Obodai noted and said the people must eschew vices such as drunkenness, promiscuity, lateness to work and laziness. He urged Christians to adopt "practical Christianity" as a way of life by dedicating their lives to save mankind to make the world a happy place for all.

Effiakuma, Takoradi and Assin-Akropong districts of the presbytery were honoured for excellence while 17 members received prizes for their dedication and hard work to enhance the activities of the presbytery. 09 April 06