Takoradi, Dec. 24, GNA - Ghanaians have been advised to continually sacrifice for the benefit of the larger society. This would further explain the essence of Christmas to others, who do not understand the value of the celebrations. Pastor Kwasi Asare, Minister in charge of the Takoradi branch of Christ Reformed Church (Kristo Asafo), gave the advise in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to herald the Christmas festivities on Saturday. "The year is already ended and every one must change their negative lifestyles and adopt new ones in the coming year," he added.

Pastor Asare said every one must sacrifice and assist more people to become employed, acquire entrepreneurial skills and become prosperous. He cautioned that, Christmas was not a time for alcohol abuse and merry making but was rather a time that, families and individuals must re-assess themselves and develop new strategies for the coming year. "We must work hand in hand for the total development of the country and the growth of our respective religions, he stressed".

Pastor Asare noted that the vision of the Kristo Asafo Mission was to unearth the hidden talents in its members and assist them to become self reliant irrespective of their educational backgrounds.

He said the birth of Christ brought liberation to all mankind and churches must find appropriate methods of liberating their members from poverty and deprivation.

Mr Henry Okraku-Ansah, Head of the Bompeh Youth Savings Club said many students could accumulate enough funds during the Christmas and New year seasons, to augment their savings when school re-opens in January 2006. "It would not be prudent for students and the youth to spend all their resources on fancy and irrelevant materials" he stressed. Mr Okraku-Ansah reminded them that the HIV/AIDS menace was around and could infect people, who live careless lives. He appealed to drivers to be careful on all roads during the day and night to avoid accidents during the Christmas holidays.

Mr Okraku-Ansah noted that the loss of life could affect the economic development of the country, since health related problems were likely to increase, pressure on existing health facilities would also increase but health professionals, should exercise restraint before, during and after the festivities and assist the sick and others, who may be brought there.

Rev Bob Asare, of the Faith Alive Chapel International said God had been good to Ghanaians and "we have every right to bless and praise our God".

He said all Ghanaians experience an angelic visitation and be surrounded by the glory of the lord. Rev. Asare prayed that there would be peace in the entire nation and may the divine glory of God manifest in our lives, families, marriages, country and church.

Madam Gifty Erzan-Essien, Western Regional Secretary of the Ghana Society For the Physically Disabled (GSPD), prayed for God's mercy and peace for the country and wished all Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

She said without peace the country could not develop and politicians must bury their political differences and work together for the good of the nation.

Madam Erzan-Essien appealed to Parliament to pass the Disability Bill during its sitting in 2006, to enhance the free and easy movement of the physically disabled in the country.