Ejura (Ash), Aug. 27, GNA - The President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, Reverend Dr Stephen Asante, has cautioned pastors not to take undue advantage of their innocent followers and mislead or dupe them.

He asked pastors to emulate the character of Jesus Christ and exhibit integrity, sincerity, love and humility to protect the image of Christendom.

Rev. Dr Asante, who was speaking at the opening of the 48th annual conference of the Ghana Baptist Convention on the theme: "Harvest time today: In step with the spirit", in Ejura in Ashanti, asked the clergy to avoid the propagation of false doctrines, and to expose the charlatans among them.

He condemned the growing practice of homosexuality and lesbianism in the country, saying such practices were evil and degrading, and tasked the church to intensify its evangelization to win more souls for Christ.

Rev. Dr Fred Degbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, tasked the church to support efforts aimed at ending poverty and unemployment, and to join the fight against indiscipline, immorality and irresponsible parenting. Dr Christine Amoako Nuamah, a former Minister of State, condemned ethnocentrism and dishonesty in society, and asked the church to help in purging society of those ills.

The District Chief Executive of Ejura-Sekyeredumase, Madam Martha Bruckner, appealed to religious organizations in the country to support the government to implement the 93Better Ghana Agenda", and to insist on responsible conduct among all Ghanaians ahead of the 2012 General Election, to avoid unnecessary tension.