Kumasi, March 5, GNA - Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has said that the celebration of the nation's golden jubilee calls for unity of purpose among the populace. He urged Ghanaians to reflect on the fact that the nation has gone through various stages in life with better experiences in some of the regimes and thank God for his mercies.

Mr Osei-Assibey was addressing the congregation at a communion service of the Wesley Methodist Cathedral at Adum in Kumasi on Sunday. He said Ghanaians should count themselves lucky to be living and celebrating its golden jubilee under a regime which has chalked a lot of successes and won international recognition.

Mr Osei-Assibey said President J.A. Kufuor's election as Chairman of the African Union (AU) bears testimony to this. He called on Ghanaians to cultivate the spirit of hard work, dedication, patriotism to move the nation forward.

The Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, called for continued church-state co-operation to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation with a vibrant economy. He called on Ghanaians to participate fully in the golden jubilee celebration since it is non-partisan.

Very Rev Samuel Fred Ansuh, Superintendent Minister of Kumasi Circuit of Methodist Church, who preached the sermon, said, 93If the nation is divided it cannot develop on all fronts and appealed to all Ghanaians to present a united front as we celebrate the golden jubilee".