Accra, May 6, GNA- The Presiding Archbishop of the International Council for the Clergy, at the weekend lauded traditional African values that holds dear the distaste of the Bible towards gay marriages and other practices that are at variant with Christianity.

Archbishop Dr George Slezer Ofori-Atta, said contrary to public notion that the Western way of life was far advance and constituted the standards for modern civilisation, the strong moral values in Africa that respect the sanctity of life had proven to stand the test of time. Archbishop Ofori-Atta, who is also the Chancellor of the Dome- based Christian Theological College and Seminary in Accra, was speaking at the ordination and graduation of 35 prophets and 17 reverend ministers at the Schambach Theological College in Accra. He stressed: " I hold a doctorate degree in Theology and there is no where in the Bible that supports unnatural sex, which is also abhorred in Africa."

He quoted Romans Chapter one versus 26 -27, which reads: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

" Likewise also leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful and receiving in themselves with penalty of their error which was due." Archbishop Ofori- Atta said contrary to the teachings of God, which have crowned man with glory and honour and to have dominion over all things, some Europeans die and bequeath their property to animals. He said God had given man dominion over all things, "and so if in other parts of the world, human beings are loving dogs more than their fellow human beings then there is something wrong with their so-called civilisation".

Archbishop Ofori-Atta asked the graduates of the school to strive for knowledge, stressing: " Ministers of God without knowledge are very dangerous."

He also tasked them to shun materialism noting that, worldly success fades away.

Commenting on the country's power crises, Archbishop Ofori-Atta appealed to Christians to pray and fast for water to fill the Akosombo Hydro-electric dam.

Apostle Schambach Amaniampong, Founder of the School and Overseer of the Christian Redemption International Ministry said he would lead a group of prophets to declare three days of fasting and prayers in order to open the heavens for water to fill the Akosombo dam.

He said the School of Theology, which was formed four years ago, had so far trained 110 prophets and 50 reverend ministers.

The graduates were exposed to three months of training in courses like: "Practical Ministry," "Ministerial Ethics," "Marriage And Family Life," "Counselling," "Doctrine Of The Bible," "Doctrine Of The Church," " Spiritual Authority," and "Discovering Your Field Of Specialisation."

Rev. Joseph Amevor, Principal of the School condemned members of the Clergy who were bringing shame to missionary work through materialism, egocentrism and other morally deviant lifestyles. He said such charlatans were forcing people to take the words of God with a pinch of salt.

Mr Gordon Adjei, a media consultant, who chaired the function, said Africa was beset with a number of problems such as arm robbery, prostitution, unemployment and poverty that called for prophets to intervene.

He said since the prophets of old provided guidance to their people, when they were in crisis, Africa needed a new breed of the men of God that were filled with the spirit of excellence to lead the Continent.

Mr Adjei criticised some members of the clergy who exploit their congregation to make money, adding: "There are too many liars around leading people to hell."