Foundation stone laid for construction

Saltpond, Sept. 15, GNA - The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has urged traditional and religious leaders to call to order, politicians whose activities and utterances pose a threat to peace, stability and national unity. Chiefs and religious leaders must ensure that "the peace we are enjoying is not breached by politicians in their quest to win power", Mr Asamoah Boateng, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West stated.

He was speaking at a ceremony to lay a foundation stone for the rebuilding of the Hammond Hall at Saltpond.

The hall, built by the Methodist church in 1897, was the birthplace of the United Gold Coast convention (UGCC), the Convention People's Party (CPP), the Provincial Council of Chiefs now the National House of Chiefs as well as the Saltpond Methodist Senior High School. In a renewed effort to preserve it, the church, with support from some prominent citizens, is rebuilding the hall to restore it to its past status. Mr Asamoah Boateng, who had earlier donated GHc1, 000 towards the project pledged GHc5, 000 on behalf of President J.A. Kufuor and Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo Addo, the New Patriotic Party's presidential candidate who were unable to attend the function. Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the flag bearer of the CPP, suggested the construction of a museum at Saltpond to showcase the history of political activities in the Gold and the present day Ghana, to serve as a tourist centre. He also pledged another GHc1, 000 to support the work on the building. Mr Ato Essuman, a member of the Council of State advised Ghanaians not to allow politics to divide them. Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive appealed to politician to base their campaign on issues and desist from insulting their opponents. He also pledged GHc1, 500 on behalf of the Municipal Assembly and his family.

The Rt. Rev. Isaac Kwesi Quansah, Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist church who performed the stone laying ceremony, expressed his concern about how politics was degenerating into violence in the country and appealed to Ghanaians to demonstrate their commitment for peace, by refraining from provocative activities and utterances. 15 Sept. 08