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Regional News of Sunday, 11 April 2004

Source: GNA

Ghanaians urged to vote in sincerity devoid of ethnicity

The Methodist Bishop of Tema Diocese, the Right Reverend Samuel Achamfour-Yeboah on Sunday called on Ghanaians to exhibit outmost patriotism to safe the nation from violence during the forthcoming elections. Delivering the sermon at a Church service to mark the resurrection of Christ, he entreated politicians to do away with derogatory utterances against their opponents and to tell Ghanaians what they could do to ensure the progress of the nation.

Rev Achamfour-Yeboah also urged politicians not to make vain promises and asked the electorate to exercise their franchise in sincerity and honesty devoid of ethnicity to ensure peace.

He said the peace the country was enjoying should not be disturbed by political crisis and prayed for sustainable political stability. On the resurrection of Christ Jesus, Rt Rev. Achamfour-Yeboah reminded Christians that His resurrection enjoins them to abhors sins. He said the death and resurrection of Christ gives hope to mankind and this demands that "we trust His words and abide by them for salvation."

Senior Pastor Kwame Buabeng, District Head pastor in-Charge of West 3 branch of the Divine Healers Church, on Sunday reminded Christians that the breakdown of the relationship between humankind and God has been restored by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

The event, he said, has brought transformation in the life of Christians and asked them to strife for unity and forgiveness for the development of the nation.

Pastor Buabeng was preaching at the end of a three-day Easter Convention of the District 'A' west "3" Church at Odorkor/Kwashieman on Sunday to mark the resurrection of Christ.

He reminded the congregation that Jesus suffered shame, death and resurrected for the sake of Christians.

Pastor Buabeng asked them to consider the suffering and affliction some of them were going through as a temporary situation that would be followed by victory, good health and peace adding that "there is time to cry and a time to laugh."

He advised Christians to do away with envy since God has a way of blessing them and said they should rely on their faith to enable them to overcome difficulties.

Pastor Buabeng said the resurrection of Jesus should also transform the lives of Christians and that unity and forgiveness should be their hall mark.

He said: "We should therefore renew their relationship with God and be morally upright in all our endeavours."

Pastor Buabeng asked Christians to live in harmony with non-Christians, saying "unless this is adhered to, misunderstanding between Christians and non-Christians would continue.

He also urged Christians to acknowledge the spirit that dwells in them and not to give power to the desires of the flesh. Pastor Buabeng said: "What is in the heart of Christians must be manifested in their lives. Your public life must not be different from your private life."

He said: " I therefore entreat you all gathered here and other Christians to walk in faith because God judges you from what is in your hearts and not what you manifest physically". Pastor Buabeng said the resurrection marks a turning point in their lives of Christians.

Prayers were said for the nation, President Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State and parliamentarians for God's guidance in their duties. 11 April 04