Developments in Nigerian should be a lesson for political party leaders

Dixcove (W/R), April 27, GNA- The Right Reverend John Harvey-Ewusi, Methodist Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese, said the current political developments, as a results of the latest elections in Nigeria should serve as a big lesson for all leaders of political parties in Ghana.

He, therefore, urged leaders of the various political parties in the country to ensure that the 2008 General Elections became peaceful. Bishop Harvey-Ewusi said these at the opening of the 46th Synod of the Church, which is on the theme "Empowerment by the Holy Spirit for Church development," at Dixcove in the Western Region on Thursday. About 58 ordained ministers, 93 lay representatives and circuit stewards from all the 186 societies of the Church in the Diocese were attending the synod.

Bishop Harvey-Ewusi said the interests of the citizenry should be paramount before, during and after every election, He advised the electorate to ensure that only competent people were given the mandate to lead the country.

He said development of the Church and the State would not be achieved if conflicts, mistrusts, greed and other vices continue to exist in the society, and urged the people to let the Holy Spirit guide and direct them in all their activities.

Mr. Thomas Mensah, the Diocesan lay Chairman, who spoke at a lay spirituality retreat as part of the synod, said adultery, promiscuity, greed, mistrust and discrimination were not positive attributes of a good Christian.

He reminded Christians to let their lifestyles guide others in their various communities and urged members of the Church to set high moral standards for the community.

Mr. Kwesi Biney, Ahanta West District Chief Executive, asked the Church to promote tourism in the region and establish a museum to for the Church.

He said wayward members of the Church must be sanctioned, and added urged Christians to act as agents of change in the society. Mr. Biney also asked Christians to support programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.

He cautioned the public against "instance justice", hooliganism and the use of violence to settle scores, which he said rather worsened situations, and urged the Church to enforce its rules to ensure sanity.