The Minister in charge of the Shalom Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Haatso, Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong has called on Politicians to be mindful of their utterances and put the interest of the nation above their own personal ambitions. Rev. Dr. Ayete-Nyampong noted that the peace of a nation can be guaranteed if politicians would be fair and transparent in their dealings with the people, and eschew all forms of corruption which deprive the people equal access to the wealth of the nation. “If few people become fabulously rich through corrupt practices, and the masses live under the poverty line, we cannot guarantee that peace would prevail all the time,” he stressed. He was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of Shalom Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Haatso-Mabey in the Ga East Municipal Assembly on Sunday. The congregation which was established on 22nd November, 1998 with few members, now has 312 congregants. The ceremony was marked with a sod-cutting event to build a GH¢300,000 Chapel. Delivering the welcome address, Rev. Ayete-Nyampong said the time has come for politicians not to take the masses for granted. “The experiences in Ivory Coast, Uganda, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and other places around the world should serve as warning signs that cannot be ignored. We cannot continue to deny the oppressed their rights and privileges and expect them to be perpetually submissive. PEACE- SHALOM- requires that we respect the rights of all people and become sensitive to their needs, and not take advantage of their depravity to deny them a share of the nation’s wealth”. He lamented that the Church which has the responsibility to become a model for the kind of exemplary leadership, peaceful and respectful coexistence that should characterize society, is unfortunately becoming corrupt with leaders who are power-drunk and operating under the pretense of being empowered by the Holy Spirit. “Such leaders have become the central reference point of the church, displaying and projecting themselves as if they are the Christ, without whom nothing can go on,” he said. According to the Rev. Dr. Nyampong, using the name of the Holy Spirit, many unimaginable abominations are being committed against the innocent and unsuspecting members of the flock. He emphasized that peace cannot prevail in the church if this state of affairs continues unabated. “For fear of being demonized, many concerned Christians are silent. But for how long can this state of affairs continue?” he queried. Story: Jerry Tsatro Mordy/Asempa News/Ghana