Most Reverend Dominic Yeboah Nyarko, Catholic Bishop of Techiman Diocese, has urged political leaders and their supporters to desist from hurling insults, provocative and defamatory statements against their opponents. The avoidance of such negative political approach will ensure violence-free and successful elections, according to the clergyman. The Bishop was preaching at the close of a four-day annual conference of the Catholic Women Association of the diocese at Nkoranza Roman Catholic Basic School Park. He stressed that the stability, peace and development that Ghana “is enjoying is not necessarily because of the efforts of security agencies, but rather because we the people in the country are God-fearing and have fellow feeling for each other as one people with the same destiny”. “It is upon such conviction that Ghanaians have always made efforts to avoid conflicts, be they social or political, so we do not disturb the peace and stability we are enjoying”, the Bishop added. Most Rev. Nyarko deplored the practice by some politicians to use the media, particularly radio stations to abuse opponents”, which he said was uncalled for and should be stopped. God chooses political leaders and since He knows best He would touch the hearts of the people to elect the person He has anointed as President during general election, he said. The Bishop advised political party leaders and supporters not to think that they could use other means to choose leaders for the country without God’s intervention. He reminded Ghanaians of how a number of lives had been lost in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, La Cote d’Ivoire, Libya because of politics and advised Ghanaians to maintain faith in God and pray for His guidance in the elections. Bishop Nyarko advised members of the Church to take Jesus Christ and allow Him to take control of their lives, citing the biblical Job, Lazarus, Sarah and Hannah who encountered spiritual problems but with prayers and steadfastness finally came out of their troubles. He urged them to be content with whatever situation they found themselves in and to eschew jealousy and envy “because God knows what is good for every individual”. Most Rev Nyarko stressed that jealousy or envy “breeds hatred and enmity”, which could cause destruction and cited the story of Cain and his brother Abel in the Bible, in which out of jealousy, the former killed the latter. Reverend Father Dominic Atuahene, Parish priest in-charge of the Church, congratulated members of the Association for the peaceful and orderly way they held the conference and thanked the Bishop for his presence at both the opening and close of the conference.