Ghanaians urged to be responsible on Election Day - Rev. Darko

Mamponteng (Ash), Nov. 26, GNA - Reverend Alexander Darko, Chairman of the Mamponteng Local Council of Churches, has appealed to Ghanaians to exhibit a high sense of responsibility to ensure peace and tranquillity in the December 7, 2008 elections.

He said the nation was at its crossroad and if people would eschew negative attitudes and behaviours and rather pray to God in sincerity and honesty, he (God) would show the way to peace and stability. Reverend Darko, who is also the Senior Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church at Mamponteng, said this in sermon at a day's non-denominational prayer service for peaceful election at Mampongteng on Sunday.

The three-hour service was attended by hundreds of worshippers including pastors, traditional leaders, electoral officers and members of Kwabre District Assembly. The Council of Churches organised the service in collaboration with the Kwabre District Assembly. The service was also used to stress on the need for unity, understanding, tolerance, love and respect for one and another among Ghanaians.

Reverend Darko emphasized that Ghana as a nation belonged to God and not any political party, a group of people or individuals and it, therefore, behoved all to be mindful of their actions. He noted that God is an answerable, merciful and compassionate God, who is always ready to deliver his people from the calamities if "we would refrain from our bad deeds and pray humbly to him for forgiveness".

Nana Kyerew Akenten, Queen of Mamponteng, said election is about issues and choices and expected that all would go and cast their votes in a peaceful manner and wait patiently for the outcome. "This does not mean hurling insults at opponents, teasing or any kind of provocative actions or attacks on people with different political ideas or affiliations." Mr Emmanuel Addai, Kwabre District Electoral Officer, urged those, who would vote on Election Day to be law abiding and adhered to the voting procedures to ensure a free, fair and credible election. He stressed the need for women to endeavour to participate actively in the political process.

Madam Linda Yaro, Kwabre District Deputy Coordinating Director, on behalf of Alhaji Akwasi Yeboah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), called on the youth to desist from provocative utterances for the sake of peace and violent free election.

She called on eligible voters to go and exercise their franchise on the Election Day to elect a leader to lead the nation. Prayers were said for the people of Ghana, the government, the various political parties and their leaders.