President calls for tolerance, hospitality

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said the growth of the country's infant democracy depended largely on peace and stability, which could only prevail when Ghanaians become tolerant in the face of provocative statements and actions.

The president therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to be tolerant and hospitable to ensure a serene atmosphere for the consolidation of the few democratic strides made and for development.

He made the appeal in a message of goodwill read for him by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister for Information and Presidential Affair at the Restoration Ghana Prayer Service held at the Independence Square to mark the decade of the Fourth Republic and two years of positive change in Ghana.

Quoting extensively from the Book of James in the Holy Bible he urged Ghanaians to "be slow to anger and slow to speak...for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God."

President Kufuor said the various conflict situations and political tensions in the country is a result of reactions to seemingly provocative statements and actions over which there was no much reflection.

He said it was imperative for people to reflect over such temptations and provocation and react in a more matured manner to prevent protracted and cyclical conflict and divisive tendencies in the country.

He urged Ghanaians to uphold an attitude and gesture of hospitality towards one another and towards our neighbours from other countries to ensure that we maintained a cordial relationship with our neighbours.

"Let brotherly love continue for in so doing some have entertained angels without knowing," he said. "The responsibility to maintain peace, stability and a friendly environment necessary for development and progress is ours as a people and nobody else."

Major Rtd. Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture said politics must necessarily fulfil the Holy Scripture, adding that "as politicians in government, we provide the enabling environment for everyone to exercise his or her talent for the common good of the entire country."

This he said is in keeping with the Holy Scriptures in Matthew 5: 14 - 16, which enjoins people to shine their light among men. He said much as the government provides the enabling environment to assist the people to brighten their corners, it is imperative that the people reciprocate the efforts of the government by treating the environment with a sense of responsibility and discipline.

Maj. Quarshigah noted that the high level of indiscipline on the roads, market places, schools and offices leaves much to be desired, adding that the provision of an enabling environment alone was not enough to bring the needed development that will raise the country to a middle income level.

In a sermon, Rev. Samson Joe Banning, President of the Black Lineage Reality Research Centre (BLRRC), organisers of the prayer service, said the positive change phenomena by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is divine, adding that it marks Ghana's leading role in the restoration of the black race in the 21st century.

The prayer session was attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, reverend ministers and Christians from all walks of life. Johnson Aboagye, Chairman of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) chaired the function.