Ejisu (Ash), July 18, GNA - Mr Akwasi Osei-Agyei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic and religious groups in the country to promote harmony and speedy development of the nation.

He said peace and harmony were very crucial in national development and there was the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their tribe or religion to stay together as one people while maintaining their various unique customs and traditions.

Mr Osei-Agyei was speaking at the dedication of manse for the Ejisu Presbyterian Church at Ejisu on Sunday. The manse, which was started in 2004, comprising five bedrooms, minister's office, kitchen and bath, cost GH(80,000 and was financed through contributions, pledges and silver collections from members. Mr Osei-Agyei was not happy about the disintegration of the extended family system in the country and stressed the need for the younger generation to take good care of their ageing parents and grand parents.

Mr Osei-Agyei, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area and Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for its immense contributions in the areas of education, health, agriculture and other community services. Reverend Otuo Acheampong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Church, deplored the attitude of Christians who did not care about the well being of their fellow people in society.

He said Christianity was losing its appeal because some Christians were not doing what was expected of them in society. Rev Otuo Acheampong urged Christians to sacrifice their resources for the promotion of Christ's gospel, saying, that was what the early missionaries did to propagate the gospel.

He advised Christians to let their lifestyles demonstrate the love of God in them in order to impact positively in society. Reverend S.K. Antwi, Superintendent Minister in-charge of the Ejisu Circuit, advised Ghanaians to accept postings to deprived areas and demonstrate their talents to uplift the lives of the people in the community.