Mampong, (Ash), Jan. 9, GNA - A minister of the gospel has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to build the capacities of its staff ahead of the 2008 general elections to enable them discharge their duties to the satisfaction and expectation of all political parties.

Reverend Thomas Kwaku Boakye, Chairperson of the Sekyere Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, said the EC had an onerous duty to protect the integrity of the elections in order to prevent conflict about the outcome.

Speaking at the Northern Sector National Convention of the Bible Study and Prayer Group of the Church at Asante Mampong on Sunday, Rev Boakye also appealed to political leaders and their supporters to be matured democratically and not attack or assault their opponents. The three-day convention, which was under the theme "let us go onto maturity - time not on our side" offered opportunity for the members of the group to discuss and identify how they could mature spiritually, physically, morally, socially and economically in their lives. Reverend Boakye cited the conflict in Kenya that was brought about as a result of confusion in the electoral process and called on the media to improve on their skills in order to offer unbiased reportage during and after the elections.

He also urged Christians to pray for the country to ensure incident free Ghana 2008 tournament and elections.