Regional News of Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Source: GNA

Residents share sentiments on importance of Christmas

Christmas to many means remembering Christ birth, giving, helping the needy, spending time with family and promoting peace, these were sentiments shared when the Ghana News Agency hits the streets on Tuesday, Christmas day.

The celebration of the season loomed in most places on Tuesday afternoon in Accra with music, dance and firing of firecrackers. Most television stations on the day screened Christmas programmes.

Other revelers the GNA talked to were seen going about their normal activities without any pomp and pageantry.

Samuel Awotwe, a Chartered Accountant at Mallam said: “I and my wife enjoy making meals for people and inviting family and friends over on Christmas Day. We enjoy this because we can visit these people at any time of the year”.

Mr Awotwe’s wife, Olivia, added, “When our family gets together, our children get to know their uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins in a relaxed atmosphere.”

She said since the family was not bound by fixed holidays, they did not feel pressured financially, mentally and emotionally, adding “our family knows that we visit them because we love them”.

Esther Fosu, a mother of two daughters, who said she did not celebrate Christmas, believed contact to family members should not be restricted to only once in a year.

“This is because children who regularly spend time with elderly people tend to develop more empathy and appreciation for people who are older than they are,” she said.

“If your relationship with your family is lubricated by regular communication, you will find it easier to approach family members privately to resolve any problems and enjoy good and pleasant times when you come together,” she added