Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister, said on Tuesday that religion has a herculean role to play in ensuring that Ghana remains peaceful, before, during and after the December polls by preaching peace and tolerance to their congregation.
"You have to advise your congregation especially, the youth, not to allow themselves to be enticed with money or vain promises to engage in violent acts that can plunge the country into chaos," he said.
Mr Smith was addressing the opening ceremony of the Catholic Bishops Conference Annual Plenary in Koforidua on Tuesday.
The week-long conference is under the theme "The Church: Family of God in Ghana at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace".
He said they owe it a duty to be courageous and bold enough to bring to order any politician who in his quest for power uses violent and intemperate language.
"Whether the person is from government or opposition, it is your responsibility to have the moral courage to condemn irresponsible behaviours and attitudes," he said.
Mr Smith said as the election draws closer, it might be helpful to recollect how close Ghana came to disaster during and after the 2008 polls and the need to maintain peace at all times.
He said there was no doubt that the battle would be fiercely fought, but that should not bring any social disorder in any part of the country.
"This is because in the case of violence, it will not discriminate between the rich or poor or a member of Political Party A or B".
Mr Smith appealed to all Ghanaians to respect the people put in place to govern "us for God appoints leaders in society to ensure peace and security".
He said some politicians had taken elections as life or death issues and were approaching them with the same mindset by preparing to sacrifice the peace of society to achieve their selfish agenda.
Mr Smith therefore urged the law enforcement agencies to stand up against all forms of manipulations by politicians in government and in opposition.
He appealed to the police to exhibit professionalism in the performance of their duties in order to win the confidence of the people.
Daasebre Professor Oti Boateng, Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, appealed to Ghanaians to be united as the December polls approach.
He said whatever the case, there would be losers and advised those who would be defeated in the upcoming polls to accept defeat in good faith.
Most Reverend Leon B. Kalenga, Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, advised Christians not to relent in their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in society.
He said Christians should be ambassadors of peace at all times adding "it is our duty to promote and maintain peace".
Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, said there was the need for social justice in Ghana where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor.