Cape Coast. March 25, GNA - Christian in Cape Coast on Friday held church services to mark the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago.

Many of the churches were filled with worshippers while others held convention and crusades to mark the day.

In his message at the Saint Francis De Saint Cathedral, Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson called on public office holders to follow the example of Christ and to pursue the interest of Ghanaians and not their personnel gains and interests.

He noted that some of the issues that came up at the recent vetting of people nominated for ministerial appointment clearly indicated that some people sought public office mainly for their personal interest rather than that of the nation.

Cardinal Turkson, who is also the Arch-Bishop of the Cape Coast Dioceses of the Catholic Church dwelt his message on John Chapter 13 on the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples and how he washed their feet and said just as Christ sacrificed and serviced his disciples, so should people in authorities also learn to sacrifice and service. He said people should learn a lesson from the Last Supper, which was a call to service, selflessness and self sacrifice and to endeavour to do away with self attitude.

Cardinal Turkson urged Christians to pursue issues that would bring peace, development and happiness to the nation.

Cardinal Turkson urged Ghanaians to take cognisance of the exhortation President Kufuor gave to the ministers he swore into office and to stop what he described as "counter allegations" and concentrate on issues that would help in the growth and development of the nation.

For his part the Superintendent Minister In-charge of the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Rev. Isaac Came Boateng noted that if Christians trust in the death and crucifixion of Christ and had faith in him, they would overcome all problems both as individual and as a nation.

He said Jesus Christ was unduly punished, wounded and died for the salvation of mankind and noted that they had not made roses and that Christians would have to carry the cross and fight sin and temptation in order to gain salvation.

Rev. Boateng said although Ghanaians might be going through difficult times, this did not mean that they were disowned and stressed that if they trusted in the Lord and did what was expected of them as citizens their toil and suffering would not be in vain.