Accra, March 1, GNA- Former Vice President of Zambia, the Reverend Dr. Nevers Mumba on Saturday asked Africans to stop playing cosmetics games with the fight against corruption and rather adopt a more strategic means of nipping canker in the bud. "We need to create institutions that can give us checks and balances, we need to harden our laws and regulations to arrest, imprison and punish people who perpetrate corruption", Rev. Nevers said.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after addressing the 7th graduation ceremony of the Living Word School of Ministry in Accra, Rev. Nevers said African countries are faced with challenges because the leaders have failed to understand the pain of Africans.

He said, what Africa needed now are leaders who understand the disillusionment of the youth and the frustration of political leaders. These leaders must possess the qualities of a statesman, a teacher and a healer.

At the graduation, 115 graduands received certificates and diplomas after undergoing 1 and 2 years training in Christian ministry respectively. According to Rev. Mumba, who combines politics with church ministry, the future of both Ghana and Africa lies in the hands of new breed of church leaders who are well informed and have an ability to exercise a responsible sense of judgment.

He therefore urged Christians and the Church to remove the fear, enter politics and contribute their quota to building Africa, stressing that, the Church has to venture into politics, which is described as dirty, to make the difference.

"Wherever there is dirt, that is where the church is needed most, and it is only the church that can provide moral leaders who can clear the dirt in politics". Rev. Mumba said.

The former Vice President who is still in politics and eyeing the presidential seat in their next election, commended Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Sectary-General for his role in resolving issues in Kenya, adding that what happened in that country should serve as a warning to all African leaders. He warned incumbent leaders who want to steal the votes of the electorate to take what happened in Kenya seriously. "They should not play with the choices of the people."

To the graduands, Rev. Mumba advised them to change their generation through the power of Christ by targeting all dark spots in their society and provide leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty and diseases while they fight for political and economic emancipation.

"We must apply our faith to issues that are of concern to the people we serve. We must take our faith to government, business world, central banks, universities and all areas of influence. Our world will not change by using traditional methods of the past. We must embrace change."