Religion of Saturday, 6 December 2008

Source: GNA

Ghanaians urged to exhibit responsibility for peaceful elections

Accra, Dec.7, GNA - Very Reverend Father Ted Nelson Adjakpey, priest of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, has appealed to Ghanaians to exhibit high sense of responsibility to ensure peace and tranquillity during the December 7 elections.

He said the nation was at a cross road and called on the people to eschew negative attitudes and behaviours and rather pray to God in sincerity and honesty for Him to show the way to peace and stability. Rev. Adjakpey made the call in sermon delivered at a prayer session to promote peaceful elections, organised by the Church, in Accra on Saturday.

Rev. Adjakpey said the nation belonged to God and not any political party, a group of people or individuals, and urged Ghanaians to be mindful of their actions.

He said that God is an answerable, merciful and compassionate God and always ready to deliver His people from calamity if "we would refrain from our bad deeds and pray humbly to him for forgiveness". Rev. Adjakpey said elections were about issues and choices and asked the electorate to vote peacefully and wait patiently for the results.

He said "This does not mean hurling insults at opponents, teasing or any kind of provocative actions or attacks on people with different political ideas or affiliations".

Rev. Adjakpey appealed to the electorate to obey election rules and procedures to ensure credible elections. He called on the youth to desist from provocative utterances and confusion to ensure violent-free elections.

Prayers were said for the people of Ghana, the government, the various political parties and their leaders. The three-hour service that was attended by hundreds of worshippers including the clergy, electoral officers ended with a call for unity, understanding, tolerance, love and respect for one and another.