Accra. Dec. 25, GNA-Ghanaians have been called upon to exercise their franchise massively during next year's Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

They should also pray to God and give us God-fearing leaders who would lead the country to great heights.

The Reverend Robert Ampiah-Kwofi, General Overseer of Global Revival Ministry, announced these at the opening of this year's Christmas Convention of the ministry in Accra on Wednesday. More than 1,000 people are attending the six-day convention which is under the theme; "The Great Move of Faith".

Rev. Ampiah Kwofi charged Christians to focus on the birth of Christ so that they would gain redemption from him. The General Overseer also asked Ghanaians to open a new chapter by refraining from acts, which hinder national development. He said the church has acquired a 26-acre plot of land to undertake development projects such as the construction of a mission house, primary, junior and senior high schools.

Rev. Ampiah Kwofi said the first phase of the project, which would cost five million Ghana Cedis, would be financed through voluntary contributions and fund-raising activities.

Social Christmas Service 3 Datelined Ejisu

Christians have been urged to work hard and be ready to tolerate the views of others to protect the peace the country had enjoyed for sometime now. The Reverend Father Eric Chermoh Kargbo, Vice Superior of Saint Joseph Congregation Seminary gave the advice in a sermon at the Saint Anthony Catholic Church at Ejisu in the Ejisu Juaben district on Tuesday to mark the birth of Christ. He said, the Christ, who is the saviour of mankind came to the world to promote peace and unity among all nations so Christians should use the occasion to pray to God so that peace would reign on the earth. The Rev. Father Kargbo commended Ghanaians for living peacefully beside their political, ethnic and religious background and urged other communities in the sub-Saharan region to emulate this.

He, however, implored Christians in the country to depend on God for whatever they do in their lives to the glory of God. Rev. Father Chermoh Kargbo called on them to go into the world and share Christ "the New Born King" with others as the shepherds did. At Besease Calvary Methodist Church, Rev. Kwame Opoku, Minister-in-Charge of the church, entreated Christians to pray for the sustainability of peace and tranquillity in the country. He advised children to remain obedient to their parents as Christ did. At the Saint Stephen's Catholic Church at Juaben, Rev. Father Samuel Kofi Adjei, Parish Priest, advised parents to be more responsible towards the up-bringing of their children.

He said the time has come for parents to desist from extravagant funeral celebration, expensive engagements, big time parties and materialism and channel their resources into quality education and the training of their children.

Father Adjei encouraged Christians to love their enemies because the Saviour stood for unity and love. Delivering the sermon at Pentecost Church at Ejisu, District Pastor Solomon Odame, asked Christians to lead holy and righteous lives.

Koforidus

Koforidua, Dec. 25, GNA- Churches in Eastern Region have organized church services and conventions to mark the celebration of Christmas. Preaching the sermon at the Koforidua Saint Peter's Anglican Cathedral, Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Anglican Church, Right Reverend Benjamin Francis Quashie advised Christians not to allow the propaganda messages of politician to influence them in voting for a leader for the country in 2008.

He urged them to allow their good conscience to guide them to vote for people who by their deeds and words had already demonstrated that they were capable of providing the country with the required leadership to enable the country to progress.

Bishop Quashie assured Christians that God had promised that when they sort his help and guidance he would always answer and advised them to seek for God's guidance in taking decisions. He advised Christians to be weary of people who believe that they have the right to be leaders of the country and either they become the leaders or "the country should burn".

The Very Rev. Solomon Subeng, Minister in-Charge of the Adweso Calvary Methodist Church, near Koforidua, called on Ghanaians to unite so that the country could realize the Grace of God. He asked them to appreciate the great blessing that God has bestowed on Ghana to enable the country to take advantage of the abundant resources to economically progress.

The Very Rev. Subeng urged Christians who have been blessed by God to use their knowledge to unite the Church and not to divide it if they are to continue to receive the blessings of God.