Right Reverend Dr. Festus Yeboah Asuamah, Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, on Friday called on political parties to conduct their electioneering campaigns on issues instead of attacking personalities.

He advised leaders and followers of political parties to watch their utterances and ensure that whatever “they say will be something which will unite and not divide the nation”.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Asuamah made the call at the opening of the fourth synod of the diocese in Sunyani.

The three-day synod is under the theme “a new approach to addressing challenges and prospects for church growth and development”.

Bishop Asuamah emphasized that no political party was bigger than Ghana and that all parties must put a high premium on the relative peace Ghanaians were currently enjoying and do everything possible to sustain it before, during and after the general election.

He reiterated that the youth also had a part to play to make the election violent free by being circumspect and not allowing the political parties to use them to foment trouble or carry out any diabolical agenda, which would disrupt the elections, maim people and disturb public peace.

“If the law catches up with you, it is you and your families that will be the losers and not those who hired you to satisfy their selfish interest”, Rev. Dr. Asuamah stated.

Touching on the theme for the synod, the Anglican Bishop stressed the importance for the diocese to adopt a comprehensive strategic plan for the growth of the church.

He mentioned low number of clergy, lack of endowment fund and inadequate administrative structures as some of the problems facing the diocese.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Asuamah pointed out that the church could grow if unity and team work were strengthened among the clergy.**