Use 2008 elections to elevate Ghana - Bishop Bamile

Wa, March 08, GNA - Most Reverend Paul Bamile, Catholic Bishop of Wa, has called on politicians to use the 2008 elections to elevate Ghana to a higher political realm as a star on the African continent. He said the elections should be fair, free and transparent to ensure peace and not set Africa back because Ghana was the beacon of Africa.

Bishop Bamile made the call when Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his Campaign Team paid a courtesy call on him on Friday.

He told the NDC flag bearer that God always ordained leadership at any given time and elected leaders for the people.

Bishop Bamile said the country's history should be properly rewritten and not falsified.

He noted that poverty levels in the three Northern Regions were too high as compared to the South and called for practical efforts from government to address the situation. Professor Mills asked for prayers from the clergy and the laity for peaceful elections, pointing out that honesty and humility must guide "us in whatever we do".

In another development, Professor Mills on Saturday visited Wa-Naa Palace to participate in the funeral rites of the late Wa-Naa Alhaji Seidu Soale II. He described the late Wa-Naa as an honest person who devoted his lifetime to fight for justice for his people and wished him a peaceful rest.

Professor Mills said he was in the region to interact with supporters of the NDC and well wishers that he was not dead as it was alleged.

"I want to introduce myself to Ghanaians that the Lord has not yet finished with me. It is he who creates and it is only he who takes," he added.

Naa Seidu Braimah, Chief of Goli expressed appreciation to the NDC leadership for remembering Naa Soale. He prayed to God to choose a competent leader who would unite the people and wished all the presidential aspirants of the various political parties good health and God's protection. "I pray to God to give us a leader to lead us to a prosperous land in unity, harmony and love". At Yeri-Naa mosque, Professor Mills called on Ghanaians to pray to God to give them a leader who would care for the vulnerable in society, pointing out that there was too much poverty in the country while few individuals were enjoying the nation's wealth. Alhaji Muntari Tafa, Upper West Region Chief Imam, said it was prayer of Ghanaians that, whoever would win the elections, would bring peace and prosperity to the country. He assured the NDC that the Upper West Region was a baby of the NDC administration and the people would forever be grateful to the Party. Professor Mills paid similar courtesy calls on Zongo Chiefs and Elders.