Accra, April 12, GNA- The Royalhouse Chapel International headed by Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah on Sunday celebrated the achievement of Dr. Kwadwo Afari- Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission by conferring its "Apostle of Integrity" award on him. The award package included a plague, a citation, a cheque for 50,000 US dollars and a yearly donation of 10,000 Ghana cedis to the EC boss after his tenure of office until his death.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rev. Korankye Ankrah noted that the award was instituted by the Church to acknowledge persons who distinguish themselves in what they do and extolled the EC boss for the excellent manner in which the nation's last elections were held. He added that, the honour conferred on Dr. Afari- Gyan was in consonance with the Church's charter of touching its generation with the power of God and his support for upholding the principle of good governance, which was a vital ingredient in governing God's people. A citation read for Dr. Afari-Gyan praised him for his wisdom and bravery at the helm of affair at the Electoral Commission and his numerous contributions towards the attainment OF electoral transparency in Africa as a whole.

"Your spirit of self-sacrifice in the service of our dear nation was an outstanding example of bravery under fire and a hero to many, worthy of emulation by all", a portion of the cited read. Delivering the sermon from Matthew 28 1-5, Rev. Korankye Ankrah called on Christians to know that if Jesus overcame death, then Christians also had the power to overcome all obstacles in their lives. "The resurrection is not only about overcoming death, but also about the resurrection of your dead marriages, dreams, business, job opportunities and all hindrances in our lives", he added. Dr. Afari-Gyan, who is the first recipient of the awards thanked the Church for the honour done him and his family. He likened the work of the Electoral Commission to that of a referee in a football match, who always falls victims to abuses and attacks, especial when a decision taken does not go in the favour of a particular team.

"As for the supporters, they behave as experts who know better than the referees or the coaches," he said.

Dr. Afari-Gyan, who has been the EC's boss since 1993 called on all to respect voting procedures since they represented the desires and aspirations of the electorate in the choice of their leaders, adding that, under the electoral laws of Ghana, a candidate could win an election by just one vote.