The Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, the Most Reverend Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye, has urged Ghanaians to join together in the fight against corruption, injustice and power abuse.

They should also boldly denounce those who shamefully insult, vilify and inflame passions on the political platform.

It should not be lost on anyone that the nation would be peaceful, secure and stable when “we stop being partisan, ethnocentric, discriminatory and derogatory.”

He made the call at an installation mass held for him at the Saint Peter’s Minor Basilica in Kumasi.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, joined the tall list of high profile priests including the Most Rev Leon B. Kalenga, the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev Charles Palmer Buckle, Most Rev. Philip Naami and Most Rev. Mathias Nketia, Catholic Archbishops of Accra, Tamale and Cape Coast, respectively, to add more colour to the event.

Archbishop Anokye underlined the need for all to accommodate opposing views and to learn from the wisdom of their opponents.

He also reminded politicians to “defend the defenceless, speak for the speechless, shelter the homeless, empower the jobless, feed the hungry and strengthen the needy.”

Again, he counseled the youth to avoid being manipulated, confused and confounded by a few selfish individuals to engage in acts of violence and confusion.

Archbishop Anokye, 52, was appointed to his present position on May 12, following the retirement of the Most Rev Thomas Kwaku Mensah.

Until his elevatio,n he was the Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese.

He is the third Metropolitan Archbishop to be installed by the Catholic Church in Kumasi within the last 10 years.

Otumfuo Osei-Tutu congratulated the Most Rev. Anokye on his appointment and urged him to work hard not only to hold the church together but to assist calm tension in the society.

He should provide the needed leadership to help Ghanaians to smooth over their differences and live in peace.

Out-going Archbishop Mensah who performed the installation ceremony asked the congregation to give his successor the needed support to uphold the values of justice, love, reconciliation, joy, kindness, generosity and peace.**