Cape Coast, Jan.1, GNA- The Rt. Rev. Daniel Allotey, Anglican Bishop of the Cape Coast diocese on Sunday called on Ghanaians to appreciate the peace and tranquility the nation enjoyed last year and begin the new year with thanksgiving to God.

He observed that for the nation to continue to enjoy considerable degree of peace it was imperative for religious leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders, family and clan heads to work positively and constantly towards peace among all people in Ghana and beyond. Rev. Allotey made the call in a watchnight service at the Christ Church Cathedral at Cape Coast to herald the new year.

He said entering a jubilee year, it was important for Ghanaians to eschew social vices such as laziness , vendetta, dealing in cocaine and other hard drugs, ritual murders, child slavery and trafficking, teenage prostitution, rape and irresponsible parenthood.

He particularly expressed concern about the behaviour of "false prophets" who use powers other than that of the holy spirit in the church of God to deceive the weak and vulnerable worshipper.

He also expressed concern about the unbridled way radio phone-in programmes were used to attack leaders of the society and made a passionate appeal to everybody in the church in Ghana , Africa and in the world to spend more time on things that would unite and build rather than indulging in issues things that would divide and destroy the nation.

Bishop Allotey also added his voice to the calls on former President Jerry John Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor to make every effort to smoke the peace pipe, especially at the time that the beloved country would be celebrating her golden jubilee.

He also appealed to the president of Nigeria and his vice to try as much as possible to resolve the constitutional crisis between then in a way that the welfare of the people of Nigeria and the interest of Nigeria would be served to enhance the present peace that is prevailing in the West Africa Sub region.

"We would humbly remind our dear brother and sisters in Nigeria that Ghana walked in a similar way in 1996 and came out of those constitutional woods with a considerable amount of peace much to the relief of many Ghanaians and other stakeholders"

At the Amanful St Joseph Catholic Church Reverend Fr. Hilary Adu, urged Christians to turn a new leaf and begin the new year as " new people" and engage in activities that would enhance the development of the country

He also called on Ghanaians to use the new year and nation's jubilee celebration to co-exist peacefully , tolerate and respect the opinions and rights of others.