The District Pastor of the South Industrial Estate District of the Church of Pentecost in Sunyani, Pastor Dennis Sasu, has cautioned Ghanaians against downplaying the numerous messages demanding a peaceful election on December 7.

“We are all witnesses to occurrences in the country, and if we pretend that these messages of peace are coming from people who want public attention and do nothing, Ghana will be doomed forever.

Therefore, I plead for peace and unity since the potential repercussions of unrest on the nation and the church will be irreparable,” he stressed.

Delivering a sermon in Sunyani, Pastor Sasu underscored how critical it is to maintain peace throughout the electoral process.

He warned that violence before, during, and after the upcoming general election could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the country's stability but also for the church's mission and community cohesion.

"Peace is the cornerstone of our nation's progress, and without it, our development efforts will stall, our communities will suffer, and our future becomes uncertain.

The absence of peace can lead to economic instability, disrupt education, and strain our healthcare systems, affecting every Ghanaian's daily life," he stated.

Pastor Sasu further emphasised that political unrest could hinder the church's ability to fulfil its spiritual and social missions, adding, "The church thrives in an environment of peace”.

"When communities become divided, our efforts to spread the message of love, hope, and unity are compromised.

Meanwhile, the church's role as a sanctuary and a source of support becomes even more crucial during times of turmoil,” he explained.

He called on all political leaders to act responsibly, urging them to engage in peaceful dialogue and to respect the electoral process.

He also appealed to the youth to resist being drawn into violence, underlining their vital role in shaping a peaceful future for Ghana.

"The youth are the torchbearers of tomorrow, so they must be empowered to engage in constructive dialogue and to reject any form of violence or division, especially during the December 7 election.

Their energy and passion should be channelled towards building a united and prosperous nation," he said.

Pastor Sasu extended his message to the media, urging them to report responsibly and avoid sensationalism that could exacerbate tensions.

He stated, "The media must focus on promoting peace and unity through balanced and fair reporting, which are essential to inform the public and prevent the spread of misinformation”.

In response to the potential challenges of political unrest, Pastor Sasu announced that the Church of Pentecost in Sunyani has hosted a series of prayer meetings and peace workshops.

The initiatives, he noted, were to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to pray for the nation and discuss strategies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

He said human bodies like the United Nations (UN) and the National Peace Council, among other peace organisations, have made frantic efforts to ensure world peace, but there is still a lack of peace in the world.

Pastor Sasu, therefore, called on all to turn to God and depend on Him for peace while supplementing it with the efforts of humans.

“God is not on this earth with us, so we must support our prayers with physical actions to ensure peace prevails before, during and after the upcoming general election,” he insisted.