Don't be complacent with peace - Bishop urges

Accra, July 4, GNA - The Most Reverend Dr Justice Ofei Akrofi, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, has admonished Ghanaians not to be complacent with the peace the country was enjoying, but work hard to sustain it in the forthcoming elections. He said the recent violence that erupted at Bawku, claiming the lives of 11 persons, was a reminder that the country's peace could not be taken for granted.

"Peace is not a once for all attainment; it is a commodity to be worked at and sustained," Most Rev. Akrofi said in Accra on Thursday at the Third Session of the 19th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Accra. The three-day Synod is being attended by priests and Synod representatives in 68 parishes and churches within the Diocese, to dilate on issues affecting them under the theme: "Let Them Both Grow until the Harvest."

Most Rev. Akrofi reminded Christians that the ability of the Church in fulfilling its mission and ministry was closely tied to the fortunes of the country; hence they must endeavour to digest the Gospel's commitment to peace and justice and secure it. "I charge you in the name of God, whatever party affiliation and your ethnicity, not to support anyone who so behaves as to generate the breaking of peace of our nation. The alternative of massive and unconscionable violence and destruction, not to mention 'refugeeism', is unequivocal evil and it is unwelcome," he added.

He also asked Ghanaians to take a cue from the violence which has occurred in other sister countries and entreated especially politicians to guard their tongues against "inflammatory speeches, no playing fast and lose with power, authority and influence". Touching on the theme, Most Rev Akrofi said as in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, accountability to God was an immovable feat and admonished Christians not to slide over it.

He explained that the harvest was a metaphor for judgment on all human deeds, adding, "As sure as night follows day, all hypocrisy, simulation and pretence will finally in God's time be exposed." On prospects of the Diocese, Most Rev. Akrofi said the Diocese was considering a request for the ordination of women in the ministry and the return of the Anglican Church to the Christian Council of Ghana.