Teacher Mantey, Dec. 16, GNA - Prophet David Kwabena Mbeah, Founder and Leader of Guankobea Prayer centre in the Eastern Region, on Sunday urged Churches to encourage Ghanaians to hold firmly onto their rich culture an= d communal lifestyle as the new year approaches.

Prophet Mbeah was closing a three-day pre Christmas programme organi= zed by the headquarters of the church at Teacher Mantey in the Suhum, Kraboa Coaltar District on Sunday. The programme attended by over 600 delegates from Akim Oda, Suhum, Nsawam, Apedwa, Nkawkaw New Abirkm, Koforidua and Teacher Mantey.

He healed the sick and said prayers for the President, Ministers of state as well as commercial drivers to keep the safe during the Christmas= .. He said the challenges facing the preservation of the extended famil= y system and values, was the extravagant expenditure during Christmas.

Prophet Mbeah urged Christians to pray for peace and unity to ensure=

national progress, especially in Bawku, since no meaningful development c= an take place in an atmosphere of conflict, chaos and instability. He noted that it was only in an atmosphere of peace and unity that Ghanaians could be mobilized to promote the development of their communities. He asked parents not to force their young girls into early marriages=

for monetary purposes, or for the sake of traditional norms and practices= , adding that, parents should endeavour to rather send their female childre= n to school.

Prophet Mbeah charged the congregation to live above reproach and always endeavour "to bring hope to the hopeless, light to those in darkne= ss and good news to those in despair". He cautioned against HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and child labour. 16 Dec. 09