Mr. Stephen Kwadwo Adjei, Manager of Progressive Farms at Jerusalem, in the Nkoranza District, has urged Ghanaians to respect and encourage the leadership of the country to enhance national development.

Mr. Adjei, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza, expressed concern particularly about the practice of some youth who would phone in to radio programmes and attack leaders and important personalities.

He said it was unfortunate that freedom of speech had allowed some people to go beyond their bounds without showing respect for authority.

Mr. Adjei, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Best Farmer in 1994, expressed regret about how people spoke against former and sitting presidents and advised such people to refrain from such uncouth behaviour.

"Leaders are God-chosen personalities since they are entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people and ensuring that they improve their living standards."

He appealed to religious leaders to use the pulpit to promote discipline among the youth and to encourage them to shun social vices so they could grow to become responsible citizens.

Mr. Adjei called on directors and managers of radio stations to discourage the use of insults and provocative statements, particularly from members of political parties "since such utterances have the tendency to create unnecessary tensions".

"Since Ghana has attained 50 years as an independent country, there is the need for all people to live decent lives and show maturity in democracy by burying political differences and forging ahead in unity towards accelerated national development", he said.

Source: GNA