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Religion of Thursday, 3 January 2008

Source: GNA

Christians urged to lead crusade against corruption

Konongo, (Ash), Jan. 3, GNA - Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Catholic Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese, has challenged Christians to lead the crusade against the act of bribery and corruption, which had engulfed the nation.

He said fighting the canker was not the sole responsibility of the government but all well-meaning Ghanaians including Christians. Most Reverend Osei Bonsu threw the challenge at Konongo in the Asante Akim North District of Ashanti, when he paid a pastoral visit to the members of the Saint Gabriel Co-Cathedral Catholic church. He observed that the country's population indicated that Christians were in the majority yet the act of bribery and corruption continues to be perpetrated in all spheres in the country.

The Bishop stated that, Jesus Christ came to the world to condemn all forms of sinful deeds and His followers were expected to do the same. Bishop Osei-Bonsu, expressed surprise about the way people pointed accusing fingers at politicians alone anytime they talked about bribery and corruption and said most people who professed to be Christians were deeply involved in the act.

He advised such people to desist from the act this year and also urged religious leaders in the country to educate their members on the negative effects of corruption on the economy, adding that, bribery and corruption had become one of the most global sins today. The Bishop attributed the problem to high financial dependence and pressure from family members and relatives and advised members in society to reduce the pressure they put on their relatives who were in responsible positions.

Most Reverend Osei Bonsu blamed parents for the high level of indiscipline among the youth in the country and entreated them to be more focused in the training of their children in the way God had directed them to do.

He appealed to Ghanaians to use this year to pray for world peace because the peace of Ghana would not be complete if the rest of the world had no peace.

The Bishop entreated Ghanaians to eschew all forms of laziness this year and develop the sense of hard work to make Ghana a better place.