Ghanaians urged to unite towards national development

Kumasi, Dec 25, GNA- The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, on Christmas day urged Ghanaians to unite and ensure peace and love for the development of the country. He noted that the birth of Christ has given hope and salvation to humankind through out the world. Rt. Reverend Abubekr was preaching the sermon under the theme "Our Saviour has come," to mark the birth of Christ at the Adum Wesley Cathedral of the Church in Kumasi.

He asked Ghanaians not to use the occasion for merry making alone but to change their attitude and contribute positively to national development. Rt. Rev..Abubekr said the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country had enjoined Ghanaians as one people with common destiny. He advised Christians to live upright lives reminding them that society looked up to them as agents of change.

Preaching at Saint Paul's Catholic Church at Amakom in Kumasi, Reverend Father John Opoku called on Christians to pray for peace for the nation as the country prepared for the 2008 Election. He appealed to the congregation to extend their happiness and joy to the needy and poor as they celebrated the yuletide. Rev. Father Opoku urged the youth to refrain from social vices and concentrate on things that would lead them to salvation. Rev. Peter Kofi Nyarko, Bantama, Kumasi, District Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon advised Christians to be courageous in their religious pursuits and to defend Christendom. Rev Nyarko urged Christians to pray for the country ceaselessly. Preaching at the Saint Cyprian's Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi called on Christians to continue to live in peace, love and harmony with one another.

He said, as they celebrated Christmas, it behoved Christians to settle their differences with other people and to share their enjoyment with the vulnerable, poor and the needy. Bishop Yinkah-Sarfo said the birth of Christ was characterised by wonders and urged Christians to be humble and selfless and allow God to work through them.

The Rev. Otuo Acheampong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, preaching at the Ramseyer Presbyterian Church at Adum in Kumasi, urged Christians to lead morally and upright lives for the growth of Christendom. He bemoaned the moral decadence in the country and said "just as Jesus Christ worked to salvage humankind from evil, so should Christians also fight against bribery and corruption, indiscipline and other social-vices.

Rev Acheampong appealed to Church leaders to use the chunk of the Church's funds for projects that would help equip members with knowledge and employable skills. He explained that such a measure would help address the high unemployment rate and complement government's efforts at providing amenities to ensure accelerated development. Rev.Acheampong urged members of the Church to maintain the Presbyterian discipline towards the growth of the Church. Preaching at the Grace Baptist Church at Amakom in Kumasi, Rev Dr Kojo Osei-Wusu, Head Pastor, admonished cautioned Christians not to take advantage of Christmas to engage in cheating and profit making instead they should consider it as an occasion to reflect on what God has done for them during the year.

He urged Christians to submit to the word of God since that was the only way to peace. Pastor Joe Opoku, an Associate pastor of the Calvary Charismatic Church in Kumasi, in a sermon, urged the congregation to ask God to transform their lives as the Saviour is born. 26 Dec. 07