The Upper West Regional Minister, Ambassador Amin Amidu Sulemani has asked 10 ordained Ministerial probationers of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the northern sector of the country to serve the people and not be served by the people. He said one cardinal principle of leadership which should constantly guide their actions at all times is their service to God and mankind. Ambassador Sulemani made the statement in a statement read on his behalf by the deputy regional minister, Kale Caesar. ‘‘When you serve your people and the church well, the church will grow to achieve its mandate, but if you do not serve well. The church will stagnate and even deteriorate,’’ he added. The Regional Minister said the role of the Presbyterian Church in national development cannot be overemphasized as it has contributed immensely to all sectors of the national economy over the years. He said the church’s contribution are obvious in the areas of education, quality health care services and has been crucial in the human resource development as well as guaranteeing food security for the nation. ‘‘Government is appreciative of the church’s roles and contributions to the development and growth of the national economy. We continue to look forward to your renewed contribution and innovative initiatives that will continue to supplement efforts in all spheres of national life since government alone is overburdened with the responsibility of all public goods and other social safety nets especially for the poor for which resources are limited,’’ he stated. The regional minister urged the church to continue to preach peace, tolerance and togetherness as the country inches closer to the general elections in December. He called on the clergy to preach and educate members of their churches to avoid making inciting comments against political opponents and avoid politics of insults. “Peace and development are closely related and where one is absent, the other suffers. This country has enjoyed relative peace which has made it possible for all the development successes chalked over the years. This is particularly due partly to the role of the church,’’ the minister insisted. Speaking on the theme: ‘‘Jesus the compassionate shepherd’’, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of Ghana, RT. Rev. Professor Emanuel Martey expressed worry about the lawlessness that has spread over the country citing the case of illegal mining, armed robbery while the security agencies, politicians and traditional rulers stayed aloof. ‘‘Ghana is been invaded, raped and nobody cares’’ he lamented calling on the government, security agencies and traditional rulers to stand up to it ‘‘the destruction of the natural environment and the senseless exploitation of nature if not checked and reversed will ultimately ruin the whole human race on earth’’, the Moderator added.