Christians have been called upon to shift their focus from vain merry making during Christmas to meditation on Christ's offer of salvation.

Right Reverend Thomas Brown Forson, Tema Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, who made the call, said the true meaning of Christmas is often lost during the Yuletide as people concentrate on parties and shopping.

The Minister of the Gospel, who was speaking at the 2013 thanksgiving service, long service and retiree's award ceremony of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), said it is about time that focus is shifted from these things onto the true meaning of Christmas.

He noted that, "Jesus is the only reason for this season", adding that celebrating Christmas, is celebrating the love of God, therefore everybody must show love during the period.

The Methodist Bishop entreated staff and management of the TDC not to see the annual thanksgiving ceremony as mere formality but rather as a time to analyse their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as individuals and as a corporation.

Mr Joe Abbey, Managing Director (MD) of the TDC, said the ceremony was a good time for the corporation to take stock of its achievements and failures during the year.

He said the Information Communication Technology of his outfit would be operational by 2014 to ensure the smooth operations of the Corporation.

The MD stated that starting from January 1, 2014, the Corporation would embark on organisational restructuring.

Mr Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing , said government want public organisations such as TDC and State Housing Corporation to build affordable housing units for the lower class in the society. According to him, since the Act establishing TDC does not allow it to venture into areas outside Tema and so government is working on amending that Act to enable it build affordable houses in other parts of the country.

Awards were presented to staff members who retired in 2013 and those who have served the Corporation for many years as well as contractors.

For their prize, the long service award winners received 32 inches LED flat screen television and a certificate each, while those retiring received a deep freezer each.

Hampers were also presented to other staff members from the various departments as the MD's special awards.

The hampers were personally financed by the MD to show appreciation to the workers.