Accra, Dec. 30, GNA- Three prominent pastors have urged Ghanaians to work harder, eschew immorality and lead disciplined lives in 2005. They should also pursue peace, live in unity and continue to trust in God as they enter the New Year.

The call was made by the Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Reverend William Warbeh Dontoh, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, and the Reverend Emmanuel Ansah, General Secretary of the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), in separate New Year's messages to Ghanaians.

In separate interviews with the GNA on telephone, the three pastors congratulated President Kufuor on his re-election and expressed the hope that together with a carefully selected team as Cabinet members and ministers of State, the second term of his Administration would be blissful and successful.

Rev. Deegbe asked Ghanaians, particularly parents, to set their priorities right by spending more on educating their children. He also advised pastors to preach and encourage Ghanaians to be patriotic by working hard to justify any demands for higher wages in the New Year. "They must also avoid bribery and corrupt practices so the we can move the nation forward".

On his part, Rev. Dontoh expressed worry over Asia's Tsunami disaster and said: "nothing of the sort ever happens in Ghana". He wished Ghanaians a very prosperous New Year combined with hard work.

Rev Ansah said he was hopeful that there would be more progress in the country should everybody do his part in the coming year. He said the church must work hand-in-hand with the political leadership and ensure that most of its upright members were involved in the governance of the country particularly at the grassroots level. According to Rev Ansah, it was high time members of the Church got involved in the governance of the country starting from the district assemblies and unit committees rather than "just be members of state bodies and attending state functions".

He advised the state to ensure that everybody was dealt with in justice, in truth and in accordance to the laws of the land. Rev Ansah also urged the media to play its role very responsibly by not over politicising minor issues that might lead to rancour.

"In general, every Ghanaian is happy about the elections and we should enter the coming year with the same feeling and live in harmony with one another to help build our nation", he said.