Accra, April 11, GNA - Ghanaians have been advised not to allow secular scenes and sounds of merriment that have become associated with Easter in Ghana to becloud the spiritual significance of the occasion.

"As Christians, our reflections at Easter should dwell on the fact that if we are prepared to let Christ be Christ in us, then we must also be prepared to espouse the causes He championed and be prepared to suffer at the hands of those whose power and privilege we threaten whether in the Church or State," the Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), said.

Rt. Rev Prof. Martey, delivering his Easter Message in Accra, said Jesus was not only falsely accused of religious heresy and blasphemy, but also of political agitation and rebellion. "We need to remind ourselves that Jesus was put to death by both religious and political authorities of His time."

The Easter Message to all the faithful in Ghana is the first since the Moderator assumed office, and it is to re-echo the relevance of the suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He stressed that the Church must not lose its prophetic voice in society, rather, it must be prepared to be the voice of the voiceless and do all it could to reduce poverty.

Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey said it was distressing to note that although the world had advanced and become sophisticated in a variety of ways, human nature had not fundamentally changed and society was still beset by selfishness and self-interest, leading to abuses and exploitation of the down-trodden and oppressed.

He said some Churches in the world today had attached themselves to the oppressive status quo, resenting and resisting change and it was a tremendous challenge to any church with a single member unable to afford one square meal a day.

"The Church, called by Christ's Name, is a caring community and must be willing to render sacrificial service.

"To celebrate Easter properly requires that we also share in the passion of Christ that climaxed in the Crucifixion so that we can also properly triumph with Him in the Glorious Resurrection," he said. The Moderator said, to keep quiet in the face of injustice, exploitation and oppression, or, look the other way when confronted with poverty and suffering, and, to do nothing to oppose the wrong in both Church and society, amounted to a denial and betrayal of Christ all over again, and refusal to enter into His pain.

Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey said although Ghana could be said to enjoy relative peace compared with what was happening in neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire, all was was not well with Ghanaians.

"There are a number of unresolved conflict issues in our communities and in our politics=85. The first Easter brought enemies 96 Pilate and Herod - together; and the central figure of Easter, Jesus, brought reconciliation between enemies."

Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey appealed to all political parties to use the Easter season to bridge the gaps between them and also reduce the tension.

He said Ghana's democracy was still young and Ghanaians should help to nurture it for better life.

"Ghana is much bigger than any one political party or, all the political parties brought together. Respect must be given to a sitting President who is the father of the nation, whom Ghanaians have elected, and he must be allowed to use his God-given wisdom and talents to rule."

Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey said everyone who had a genuine love for Ghana would not do anything to distract, disgrace and detract a sitting President who needed peace of mind and support of all Ghanaians to execute his constitutional mandate. "I therefore appeal to all political parties to put their houses in order, and, especially the ruling party, to justify the political mandate which Ghanaians have entrusted to them at this time of our nation's history.