Ghanaians urged to stop insulting behaviour

Apam, March 22, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa West, Mr Francis Kojo Arthur, has urged Ghanaians to desist from insulting their leaders in the name of democratic dispensation. The practice of democracy does not mean one can insult any body, including the President and chiefs and go scot-free, Mr Arthur said. Instead, he said, we must discuss or talk about positive things whic= h could promote national development.

The MP was speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the Apam Local Council of churches at Apam in appreciation of God's guidance and protection for the country.

Mr Arthur urged Ghanaians to appreciate the good things God has bestowed on the country and be thankful to Him. He said the shift system in basic schools which contributes to the falling standards of education was being phased out through the provision= of additional classroom accommodation for the schools which are practicing t= he system.

Mr Peter Antwi Boasiako, Gomoa West District Coordinating Director, expressed concern about irresponsible behaviour of some parents towards their children. He pointed out that such behaviour had made the government to spend a=

chunk of the nation's limited resources on things which parents could hav= e done for the education of their children, such as payment of fees, provis= ion of exercise books, uniforms and feeding.

He DCD urged parents to instill the fear of God in their children, noting that children who fear God do well in schools. Mr. Boasiako urged teachers to be devoted to their profession and ha= ve love for the children entrusted in their care.

The Very Reverend Ebo Walters, Superintendent Minister of the Apam Circuit of the Methodist Church, in a sermon urged Ghanaians to change th= eir attitude towards government work and property. The Minister urged them to erase the notion that government property= is nobody's property and care for them as their personal property. "We need many facilities in our communities and yet we do not want t= o pay taxes which would generate funds for their provision," he said, and appealed to the people to bear in mind that government alone could not do=

everything.

The Rev. Walters urged Christians to be loyal to any government that=

comes to power, and appealed to the government to remove any bottlenecks which hinder the work of the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable i= t to work effectively to promote the health of the people.

The Minister appealed to churches to institute similar scheme to enhance the health delivery of their member. Captain Godwin Kumeto, Pastor in-charge of the Apam Salvation Army a= nd Chairman of the Local Council of Churches, led the congregation to pray f= or the President, Vice-President, Ministers of State, MPs, DCEs, Chiefs and the prosperity of the nation.