Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - The Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC) on Tuesday expressed concern about developments in the country after the Presidential Election Runoff and called on the political parties contesting in the elections to place the interests of Ghana above individual political interests.

"It is our hope that the political parties will continue to exhibit restraint and maturity as the Electoral Commission declares the result," a statement from the Council said in Accra. The statement said the Council was expecting that the integrity and independence of the Electoral Commission would be exhibited to all Ghanaians at this crucial time of the nation's history.

It said the Commission should not lose sight of the fact that the peace and unity of the nation was currently dependent on its fairness. The GPC said as the people of Ghana remained calm and awaited the final declaration of results, "we remind our politicians to demonstrate maturity and leadership in the art of being gracious in both defeat and victory. They should do all in their power to contain the emotions of their party activists in the greater interest of mother Ghana".

"It is our prayer that the last days of His Excellency, President John

Agyekum Kufuor as president of the Republic shall be characterized by a peaceful and orderly succession. This should be the crowning glory of his legacy as President," it said.