Reconcile the nation - leadership urged

Cape Coast, April 10, GNA - Father Peter Canon Amoako-Gyampah, Bishop's Chaplain at the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Cape Coast, on Good Friday, charged the country's leaders to endeavour to reconcile the nation because it was too polarized.

He noted that the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ focused on repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, love and humility and urged the authorities to ensure that peace and reconciliation prevailed in the country.

Canon Amoako-Gyampah in a sermon to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, also asked Ghanaians not to continue to harbour ill feeling towards one but eschew any form of bitterness for the nation to attract the blessings of God for accelerated development. "Jesus Christ was sacrificed for the atonement of our sins we should also be prepared to forgive one another" he stressed. The district pastor of the Sunyani branch of the Church of Christ Spiritual Movement, Pastor Mark Fobi, also reiterated calls on Christians and families to reconcile and live Christ-like lives as they commemorated the day.

Pastor Fobi in a sermon at the annual Easter Convention of the Church, on the theme, 'Celebrating Christ,' at the Cape Coast Jubilee Park, said Jesus Christ died because of his love for mankind and therefore all should eschew hatred, envy, backbiting and greed and forgive one another through the renewal of their minds. He said Christ's death would be in vain if Christians failed to live in love and showed fellow feeling for one another. Pastor Fobi said the nation could move ahead in progress if Christians portrayed Christ in all spheres of life and urged pastors to preach salvation instead of prosperity messages.

The Reverend Agyenim Boateng, the Superintendent Minister of the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, speaking on theme, "Christ our Example in Suffering," urged Ghanaians to emulate the Christ, adding that, Christians should learn to endure any problems they encounter and forgive one another since Christ was able to forgive those who persecuted him and subjected him to physical torture. The Very Rev. Father Michael Kweku Ocran, Parish Priest of St Francis De Sales Cathedral, also asked people who do not know God to take the opportunity and accept Christ as their personal Saviour this Easter and to have faith in the word of God.

He advised Christians against allowing politics to divide them but said politics should be seen as a social exercise adding, that "in the eyes of God we are one people with the same mission," that is to know God, love and to serve Him.