The Most Reverend Dr. Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana on Tuesday reminded Ghanaians on the need to ensure free and fair during this year's presidential and parliamentary elections.
"That every effort should be made by government and the people of Ghana to ensure a free, fair and transparent elections devoid of rancour and bitterness on the part of the participating political parties", he added.
Dr. Aboagye-Mensah, who was speaking at a press conference to run off the church's fifth Biennial and 43rd conference said the church, in collaboration with other NGOs had started a campaign, "Clean Election Campaign" to educate and inculcate in the electorate the spirit of clean and credible elections.
The four-day conference on the theme: 'Come Holy Spirit, Empower Your Church for Missions' brought together over 500 delegates in Ghana and delegates from sister churches overseas.
A communiqué issued after the conference noted the church preparedness to help in the holistic development of the individual, society and the nation as a whole.
The conference adopted a 10-year strategic plan. At the heart of the plan is the concept of change to strengthen the operations of church activities.
The church noted with concern the problems of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and streetism and called government, NGOs and Civil society organisations to redouble their efforts in salvaging the situation.
"In the same vein, conference appeals to government to assist reduce the incidence of youth unemployment in the country by providing avenues for training for the youth in the trades, to support and compliment formal academic education offered".
The conference expressed satisfaction about the oil find and called on government to use the resources for development.
"Conference however, calls for development of curricula for schools, colleges and Universities to offer appropriate levels of training to cater for the needs of the evolving petroleum industry".
He said conference also recommended the need for proper coordination all Diocesan projects to obtain maximum benefits, "The church continues to improve provision of care for the aged among its Clergy and the lay members and commends government for the LEAP projects".
It lauded the introduction of the new education policy and called for the provision of appropriate teaching materials and training of staff, "We express total support for government in its decision to reverse an earlier policy to drop moral education"