Govt will respect the will of Ghanaians -Papa Owusu-Ankomah

Sekondi, Nov. 28, GNA - Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Sunday said the government would respect the will of Ghanaians in the 2004 General Election.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah, who was speaking at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Sekondi-Takoradi District Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church in Sekondi, said: "Consequently, we would do everything possible to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election".

The ceremony, which coincided with the launch of the Church's 100-million cedi scholarship scheme for needy but brilliant children was on the theme: "75 years of Evangelism: Past, Present and Future." Papa Owusu-Ankomah appealed to Churches to retain politicians "who will be carried away by their quest for power" and educate them on the need to appreciate the interest of the larger society rather than their personal interests".

Papa Owusu-Ankomah who is also the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, urged Churches to assist their members to acquire employable skills to enable them to earn a living.

He commended Churches for complementing government's developmental effort by constructing schools, hospitals, vocational training centres and undertaking income generating activities to raise the standard of living of the people.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah said government would continue to strengthen the bond between the State and the Church by supporting mission schools and hospitals towards national development.

The Right Reverend Dr. Livingstone K. Buama, Moderator of the E.P Church, asked Christians to be watchful, prayerful and mediate in conflicts to ensure peace and unity.

He asked Christians to be morally upright and warned that the judgement day of the Lord would be disastrous for sinners and said the second coming of Christ though eminent was unknown.

Pastor Eric A. K. Amey, District Head of the Church, said the religious body, which was started in 1929 as a prayer and Bible study group at Essikadu, had so far opened over 23 branches.

He called for free and fair elections and asked Christians not to stand aloof and allow the nation to slip into lawlessness and anarchy. Pastor Amey asked politicians to be honest in their appeal for free, fair and peaceful elections and said "preaching peace in public and inciting people to engage in violence behind the scenes would not help in the development of the nation".