Election 2012: Don't Fight - J.H Mensah

A Veteran Politician, Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, has called on Ghanaians to make a vow before God not to raise a finger against a fellow Ghanaian in the name of electoral disagreement as the country girds its loins for the 2012 elections. �We are one people and must not allow politics or elections to divide us. We have all seen what is happening in other countries in Africa,� said Mr Mensah, who served his last public office as minister in the Kufuor administration. �The provocations and annoyances may be immense, but I suggest we all draw an ultimate line and make a vow not to raise an arm against another Ghanaian on account of electoral misdeed. Let this be the vow of Ghanaians of all faiths and all walks of life,� he said. The veteran politician made the call Sunday, at a sod-cutting ceremony for the expansion of the Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church at Mamprobi in Accra. �Let the argument go on in every corner of the country; let the courts be there to deal promptly with cases brought before them, but at the end of it all, the responsibility is ours, each of us before God and our conscience,� he said to the applauding congregation. Mr Mensah observed that just as Ghanaian security services went on peacekeeping missions elsewhere on the continent, others from elsewhere could be deployed to Ghana to maintain peace, hence the need for all Ghanaians to jealously guard the country�s prevailing peace. He said while our Christian and Islamic leaders had taken a lead towards peace, it was important that all Ghanaians followed their example to keep the country on the path of peace. The Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church was built 45 years ago and it has come under strenuous pressure as a result of its increasing worshippers, compelling the parish to resort to the use of canopies as an extension during church services. On rainy days, the roofs leaked and it was sometimes an unpleasant experience when the wind accompanied the rains, disrupting service. It is in the light of this that the church decided to raise an estimated GH�1 million to fund the project which, when completed, will provide a larger auditorium to seat some 2,000 members, more offices, projector rooms and a car park. Mr Mensah urged the congregation to contribute to make the project successful, saying, �With a spirit of unity of purpose, sacrifice and love, let us all donate generously to see the project through a successful end.� Earlier in a sermon, the Parish Priest, the Very Rev John Boye, had said the temple was a symbol of God�s presence. �God perpetuates his presence among his people through the temple. Let us, therefore, build a house befitting His glory and majesty,� he said. The Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr Anthony Quartey-Papafio, while commending the pioneers of the church for their tireless efforts, also added his voice to the call on members to support the cause of refurbishing the church.