Methodist Church in Ghana calls on Ghanaians to work for non-violent elections

By Isaac Arkoh

Cape Coast, September 14, GNA – The Methodist Church in Ghana has reiterated its commitment to national unity and urged Ghanaians to prioritise peace before, during and after the December 7 election.

Ghanaians should refrain from spreading inflammatory rhetoric and baseless allegations, especially when spread on social media, as such actions tend to escalate political tensions.

The church said it was the civic duty of every Ghanaian to ensure non-violent and transparent elections to accelerate development.

The Diocesan Bishop of Cape Coast, Reverend Richardson Aboagye Andam, said: “Peace is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Therefore, as a nation, we have been fortunate to experience a prolonged period of peace in the Fourth Republic.”

“It is our fervent prayer as the Methodist Church of Ghana and as all well-meaning people that we live together harmoniously and face the elections in a spirit of calm.”

“Let us put aside our differences, conflicts and hostilities by considering each other as relatives. Ghana is the gateway to Africa and a symbol of peace. Therefore, we should renounce violence to further cement our democratic reputation in Africa.”

Bishop Andam, who also serves as Chairman of the Central Regional Peace Council, made the remarks at the opening of a four-day biennial conference of the Methodist Church Ghana Guild held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Friday.

The conference also commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Methodist Guild's summer camp, whose theme was “The Guild Turns 125 – Maturity for Effective Witness.”

More than 1,800 members attended the event to share their long-standing work and take decisions to revive the Methodist Guild Ghana, which was established in Cape Coast.

Commenting on the progress of the Methodist Guild Ghana, Bishop Andam commended the past and present leaders of the group and urged them to remain faithful to their faith.

He encouraged them to show courage in their Christian commitment and to always demonstrate transparency, fairness and accountability to their followers.

Developing strong interpersonal relationships and promoting tolerance, forgiveness and kindness should be fundamental characteristics of all Christians and serve as an inspiration to others, he stressed.

A statement on behalf of Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice-Chancellor of the UCC, called for a sense of unity and maturity among followers of Christ.

He said, “This responsibility must continue until we are united in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God.”

“We must strive to attain spiritual maturity and develop until we resemble Christ and embody His perfection. At that point we have left spiritual childhood behind.”

GNA