By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Oct. 02, GNA-The Most Reverend Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, a former Anglican Bishop of Kumasi Diocese, has said adherence to Christian values and principles by the citizenry can propel Ghana’s transformation.
He said if Ghanaians, the majority of whom were Christians, upheld the values of Christianity such as truth, righteousness, love, kindness, forbearance and justice, the nation would see accelerated development.
“These are spiritual ingredients for national transformation, which must be embraced by every citizen to propel national transformation,” he said at a three-day transformation conference in Kumasi.
The conference, which was put together by St. Georgina Health Care and Consultancy, was attended by participants from the Electoral Commission, political parties, Ghana Police Service, religious and traditional leaders, the media and the public.
This year’s conference, which is dedicated to peaceful elections was on the theme: “The 72% Factor and National Transformation.”
The retired Anglican Bishop said the transformation of the country largely depended on Christians who constituted 72 per cent of the population and called on them to step forward and make a difference, especially in leadership.
According to him, Church leadership from all angles should encourage its youthful members to take up leadership in society, particularly in entering politics.
He quoted Proverbs 29:2, which states, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people mourn” to buttress his call for young Christians to enter politics.
“Christians in Ghana are exhorted to exhibit kingdom values wherever they may find themselves in the society.
Para-Church organizations like the Scripture Union, Campus Crusade, the National Union of Anglican Students and so on, in the campuses, should intensify their evangelism drive to help promote peace during the elections,” he advised.
The Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, former Chairman of the National Peace Council, charged Ghanaians to resist any form of act that would prevent the prevailing peace in the country during the upcoming elections.
Speaking on the topic, “The Role of Church on Ensuring Peace Before and After Elections”, Rev Prof. Asante said it was not enough to profess peace without working at achieving or maintaining harmony in the country.
“Peace is a collective responsibility for which reason all must get involved to promote it,” he emphasised.
Rev Prof Asante said that even though Ghana had been acknowledged as a beacon of democracy and a peaceful country, in terms of elections, citizens should not take the existing peace for granted as the country could not move on without peace.
He, therefore, entreated families, groups and civil society organisations to work towards consolidating the peace, saying that “Tolerance of different opinions, ideas, strategies and the promotion of peace should be our collective interest.”
He advised Ghanaians not to consider their political opponents as enemies nor trade their conscience for a pittance during the electioneering campaign.
He pointed out that free, fair and transparent elections were critical to consolidating peace and democracy.
Rev. Dr Godfred Andoh, the Chief Executive Officer of St Georgina Health Care, said the Church had a critical role to play in maintaining peace during the election and beyond as a non-partisan institution.
He said it was important for the Church to take maximum advantage of its dominance and use its platform to intercede and seek peace and prosperity for the nation.
“The Church must pray against all forms of attacks, fear, anxiety, and demonic rituals that normally precede general elections in this country,” he implored.
GNA