Kumasi, Dec. 5, GNA - The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to eschew negative tendencies like bribery and corruption, drug trafficking, hatred, nepotism and others, which impede development.

He said the development of the country depended on the efforts of the people to unite to ensure peace, tranquillity and stability in the country.

Rt. Rev. Abubekr was preaching at the Christmas service at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Kumasi on Monday.

He said the birth of Christ is to give blessing to mankind and asked Christians to emulate Him.

He said the world was created by God and stressed the need for people who are stewards to take care of the creation. As the country was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence "it is our duty to keep the environment clean and avoid environmental degradation", he added.

The Bishop appealed to Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully towards the socio-economic development of the country. Preaching at the Calvary Assemblies of God Church at Bantama to mark the day, Rev Paul Frimpong-Manso, Ashanti Regional Superintendent of the church, said the purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ was to unite the world to ensure peace.

He therefore stressed the need for churches, political parties and other organisations to come together to ensure the development of the country.

Rev Frimpong-Manso advised Ghanaians not to use the occasion for merry-making alone but to use the period to stake stock of their past activities and improve on their lives.

He urged Christians to have kindness and compassion and support the needy in society at all times.

The Reverend John Kwabena Boakye, Superintendent Minister in-charge of the Gospel Centre Assemblies of God Church also in a sermon at Old Tafo, stressed the need for Ghanaians to glorify God for the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying. He said the birth of Christ was to give salvation to mankind and asked Christians to live in love, unity and understanding among themselves at all times.

At the Saint Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral, the Right Reverend Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, the Anglican Bishop, stated that it behoved Christians to imitate Jesus Christ by helping the poor and helpless in society.

He said as Christians, they must also take it as a responsibility to preach the word of God to convert people and also empower the vulnerable.

Rt Rev Sarfo said powerful men created empires through forces of men but Jesus founded family through love. "Certain people transformed society without much success, Jesus changed the heart of men and as certain people left behind works for posterity to perpetuate their names, Christ built spiritual house which though invisible had revolutionalised the world". The Bishop therefore stressed the need for all Christians as they celebrate the yuletide do more to draw more people to Christ.

He said the year 2006 had been quiet eventful and full of mercies of God for families, diocese and the country. Rt Rev Sarfo stressed that the country had enjoyed relative peace throughout the year and "We prayed to God for peace and encourage all Ghanaians to maintain the peace and stability which are ingredients for national development" Reverend Stephen Osei Sarpong, Associate Minister of the Adum Ramseyer Presbyterian Church, preaching at a service said new born Jesus Christ was ready to enter the heart of anybody who is ready to receive him. He stressed the need for Christians to refrain from mundane lives, which lead people to indulge evil acts and strive for spiritual and upright lives that would bring peace and prosperity. He said where Christ was born called for humbleness and submissiveness which Christians and leaders of the country should emulate in their daily lives. 25 Dec. 06