Cape Coast, March 16, GNA - The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday joined the congregation at the Christ Anglican Cathedral in Cape Coast to mark Palm Sunday, which signifies the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago.
With him were Professor Frimpong Boateng, Dr Kofi Konadu-Apraku, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjepong, Mr Kwabena Adjepong, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang all former presidential aspirants of the NPP and now leading members of the Akufo-Addo campaign. In a sermon, Very Reverend Victor Atta-Baffuor, Rector of St Nicholas Theology seminary, said Palm Sunday reminded people of the sacrifice and love Christ had for the world and called on political leaders to emulate Jesus' humble life. He said a political leader could only receive the needed respect and honour from the public if he remained resolute, faithful and ready to sacrifice and to serve the people. Dr Atta-Baffour called on Nana-Akufo-Addo to lead a sacrificial life and be prepared to serve the people of Ghana, stressing that it was only through this that he would win the support and confidence of the people.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who later addressed the congregation, pledged that he was ready to serve the people of Ghana, stressing that becoming a politician was for one to serve his people and his country and appealed for their prayer and support. He prayed that this year's elections would be held in a peaceful and incident free atmosphere and called on the public not to engage in acts that would disrupt the vote. Nana Akufo-Addo also called on the Electoral Commission to ensure that it conducts a free, fair and transparent election, which would be accepted by all.
In a related development, the presiding Elder of the Cape Coast A.M.E Zion church, Reverend Wilberforce Wireko appealed to Christians not to use the celebration of Palm Sunday for any social vices. He said the Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem symbolized the inauguration of his kingship on earth and victory over the forces of evil.
Rev. Wireko appealed to Christians to emulate Jesus to face life with boldness and confidence no matter their difficulties. At the St Joseph Catholic Church, Rev-Fr. Samuel Asante called on Christians to emulate the prayerful example of Jesus and do away with pride, laziness, greed, malice and inhuman acts which perpetrate intolerance, lawlessness, violence and unrest in the society. He underscored the importance of prayers in the life of Christians, and said it was unfortunate that Christianity which should have reached its peak with the springing up of many churches was rather saddled with all kinds of vices which were tarnishing the image of the church. He said Jesus accepted whatever came into his life in silence and prayed constantly, but regretted that Christians of today were impatient, intolerant and will revenge at the least provocation. "If we emulate the prayerful and silent life of Jesus even in times of pain, suffering and death, we will do away with confrontation, confusion, tension and violence in the society," he added.
