Accra, Aug. 28, GNA - Archbishop Dr George Slezer Ofori-Atta, Presiding Archbishop of the International Council for Clergy (ICC), at the weekend asked journalists to focus on social issues and shun the use of politics to shape the national agenda.

"We (ICC) call on the media to diversify and venture into other pressing issues that are of social concern than just the overly concentration on political issues," he said, adding that the trend is leading to political polarisation that is potent enough to bear on every facet of national life.

He said journalists must endeavour to deal more with social issues such as health, environment, education and agriculture.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta was speaking at 15th Public International Ordination and 4th Convocation of the ICC in Accra on the theme: "Using divine wisdom to achieve success in Ministry."

He called on the media to educate the public on issues such as safe and defensive driving in order to protect and preserve lives and reverse the high incidence of motor accidents.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta expressed dissatisfaction about the pronouncement of some members of the clergy on politics, which he said smacked of division and partisanship.

He noted that ministers of God are supposed to be an embodiment and enshrinement of unity, reconciliation and comfort in words and deed.

"We call on the clergy not to relent in speaking the truth of God to a dying world; correct the government as and when appropriate.

"However we admonish that we refrain from being partisan and let our concerns be expressed in the embodiment of wisdom. Our neutrality in partisan politics must be explicit."

Archbishop Ofori-Atta said Ghana stand to gain from the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity and called on the government to be discreet in the formulation of laws and policies that would ensure the safety and benefit of the citizenry.

Mr Justice Jacob Amonoo-Monney, a retired Appeal Court Judge, who was the Special Guest of Honour, asked churches to register their missions under the Incorporation Act of 1962 (Act 106) to become a corporate entity (body corporate)" with the capacity to hold property among other things.

He said ministers of God who also officiate at wedding ceremonies should be gazetted to make their activities legal.

Justice Amonoo-Monney said although the 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, it was wrong for some churches to deny children under 18 medical treatment such as blood transfusion, immunisation and drugs under the pretext of faith healing.

He said the practice is a violation of the right of the children.