Obuasi, April 30, GNA - The Right-Reverend Benjamin K. Asare, Methodist Bishop of Obuasi, has criticized the number of candidates vying for the flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 general elections.

He said the number was worrying, apart from the fact that it had socio-economic and political implications on the future of the country. Bishop Asare, who was opening the 10th annual synod of the Obuasi diocese of the church at Obuasi, pointed out that not all of them could be a better President should the NPP win the elections. "Some are arguing that it is democracy at its best, but is it going to give us the best President to succeed President J.A. Kufuor in case NPP comes to power again", he asked.

Rt-Rev Asare said President Kufuor had performed creditably and that "As a nation we should be careful in replacing him. Not anybody at all can match his achievements. The nation does not need anybody who will set the clock of our progress and development back", Bishop Asare, said.

He charged the Party to put its house in order and be bold to tell some of the aspirants to step down.

He observed that any of them could wear the crown but said critical appraisal suggested that not all of them could perform as the President of the nation.

"We should not toy with the future of this nation", the Methodist Bishop stressed.

Mr Edward Ennin, Member of Parliament (MP) for OBuasi, said a lot of people had shown concern about the number of the presidential aspirants and commended the Bishop for his boldness in pointing out the mistakes of the NPP.

Mr Augustus Kwaku Badu, the Diocesan Lay Chairman, announced that this year's Lay Movement Week would be organized in June to raise funds to clear a total debt of 143 million cedis.