The Reverend Fitzgerald Odonkor, Head Pastor of Harvest International Ministries on Sunday admonished media practitioners, politicians, ministers of state and public figures to spice their communications mechanism in order not to break down the society. “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person… Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you build up the people and nation with your speech. You do not need to answer everyone. “Our aim of speaking should be to build up not to break down… We need to know how to respond to each situation and learn the tenets of effective communication”. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra after a special church service at Harvest Chapel International, Rev Odonkor put forward five points for effective communication, which included the need for one to say the truth and do so in love. He said speaking the truth should meet requirements such as “what was the source of the information, is the source credible enough. Is it confidential – is it something that must be heard publicly or for some group of people?” “Certain things must be kept confidential. Media practitioners, politicians and ministers of state before you speak ask yourself whether what you are saying is for the general public or it is confidential… Is not all things that are to be published. “Is it helpful – when I say it, will it make me a better person, and will it make those listening or reading better persons; let no evil communication proceeds out of your mouth. If it’s not helpful keep your mouth shut. “Is it necessary – test whether it is essential to publish or comment on an issue as we must learn to keep quite for sometime. “Is it sound – sound speech that cannot be condemned so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you.” Preaching on the “Acts of Grace,” Rev Odonkor who is a banker by profession noted that the Grace of God mandates Christians to give, preach, walk in love, forgive, to do good, and the use of the mental faculty. He said “work of grace does not come by default but through hard work" and admonished Christians to exhibit the love of God to mankind daily. Source: GNA