Kumasi, July 31, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on all religious bodies, traditional authorities and political parties to show strong inclination towards the promotion of unity and the spirit of oneness.

He said Ghana as a nation, should begin to exhibit greater tolerance and goodwill and be each other's keeper irrespective of ethnic, religion, political, or educational backgrounds. President Kufuor made the call at the induction of Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso as the 15th Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) in Kumasi on Sunday. Very Reverend Dr Sam Prempeh, the immediate past Moderator of the Church, inducted Rt. Rev. Frimpong-Manso into office.

The induction service formed part of the fifth general assembly of the church, which is being held in Kumasi under the theme, "That They All May Be One".

President Kufuor said Ghana after almost five decades of independence was still wallowing in wilderness and attributed this to negative tendencies such as excessive political partisanship, tribalism, poor leadership and disconnection between national direction and the fear of God.

President Kufuor said Ghana was perceived as beacon of peace and stability in the West Africa sub-region and appealed to the people to resolve to work together towards consolidating these. He commended the PCG for leaving a rich heritage for the country in the areas of education, health and other social service institutions. President Kufuor congratulated the new Moderator for the honour brought to himself, his family and the church and urged members of the church to pray for him.

He also appealed to Christians to pray for the government in order to remain focussed on the task of nation building. In a sermon, Very Rev Anthony A. Beeko, past Moderator of the church, said the PCG was rooted in unity in diversity since Christians from different nationalities and denominations came together to form the Basel Mission in the country.

He called for unity among all denominations and people in the country to promote the cause of oneness and peace in the country. Rev Beeko expressed regret that integrity was now being devalued in the Ghanaian society and urged Christians and members of the Presbyterian Church to protect and sustain the image of the church.

He said the name Presbyterian stood for discipline, honesty and dedication and urged the members to abide by those principles. Rev Beeko said what Ghana needed now was a leader who would use the name of Christ to uphold the truth and unity of the people. Rt Rev Frimpong-Manso in an address, expressed concern about the current trend of ethnocentrism, rancour and divisions in the Ghanaian society.

Sadly enough, he said, the church, which was supposed to uphold the principle of unity, was in itself divided. Rt Rev Frimpong-Manso called for a strong bond of unity between churches, the church and the state as well as individual to promote peace in the country.

He thanked members of the church, past Moderators and Ghanaians for their support and urged them to continue to pray and support him to carry out his duties. July 31 05