Regional News of Friday, 22 February 2008

Source: GNA

Politicians urged to be circumspect in their utterances

Akropong Akuapem, Feb. 22, GNA- The Chairperson of the Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Reverend Dr Joseph Obiri Yaw Mante, has called on political leaders to be circumspect in their utterances during this year's election campaign in order not to bring disunity and chaos into the country.

"This country belongs to all of us and we cannot afford to loose the peace that we are all enjoying today" he said. Rev. Dr Mante made the call at the inauguration of the Akuapem branch of the Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region. He said Ghana had reached a stage where all hands were needed on deck to move the nation forward, but some utterances from some politicians left much to be desired. Rev. Dr Mante said Ghanaians should not consider this year's election as "do and die affair" but view it as one of the normal elections and reject those who would try to incite violence. He said over the last 15 years the nation had achieved some political and economic success both locally and internationally in terms of good governance, rule of law, freedom of speech , stabilized economy, and many more others, therefore nothing should be done to mar those achievements.

The Presbytery Chairperson urged politicians to focus their political campaigns on issues and avoid insults, bitterness, rancour and inflammatory statements, which had the potency of bringing the nation into a state of confusion and anarchy. He urged the youth not to allow themselves to be manipulated by any politician to create confusion before and after the next general elections. "They will use you to do the entire dirty job for them and when they achieve their aims they will abandon you to your fate, meanwhile your families need you," he emphasized. He urged political leaders to seek the face of God and be transformed by the Holy Spirit in order for God's blessings to come upon the nation. Rev Dr Mante later inducted a nine-member Presbytery Executive of the group into office for a two-year term of office.