Kumasi, Nov. 1, GNA - The Reverend Kwabena Opuni-

Frimpong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the

Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has tasked church leaders to strive

to adhere to Christian values, norms and principles in their

endeavours. He said it was unfortunate that, in spite of the proliferation of

churches, the impact of conversion has not been felt in the

country, noting that, the incidence of corruption, bribery, armed-

robbery and other social vices, which were on the increase, could

have been reduced to the barest minimum, if church leaders

exhibited more vibrancy in their faith. Reverend Opuni-Frimpong was speaking at the induction of Mr

Akwasi Afranie, as the Asante Presbytery Lay Representative, on

the General Assembly Council of the church, at a ceremony in

Kumasi, on Sunday. He replaces Professor Charity Atuahene, whose three-year term

of office ended recently. The Chairperson indicated that it was high time Christians

renewed their commitment to the word of God, to enable them "to

lead a blameless life". Christianity, he said, should not be viewed as mere association

but an institution of high repute, whose members, were expected

to demonstrate a high sense of discipline, to encourage non-

Christians to embrace the religion with dignity. Reverend Opuni-Frimpong charged Christian to shun

discrimination in all its forms, explaining that, since nobody was

above the saving grace of God, the church should open its doors

wide to all manner of persons, as Christ taught his followers, for

the growth of the religion. He advised the new lay representative to be duty conscious and

work harder to effectively articulate the concerns of the Presbytery

at the assembly, during its deliberations. Mr Afranie lauded the Presbytery for the confidence reposed in

him and said he would collaborate with his predecessor in the

interest and development of the church.