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Two public figures have called on Ghanaians, especially Christians, to eschew bribery, corruption and other negative practices that undermine socio-economic development. Speaking at separate functions in Accra, the two persons, one of them a minister of God and the other a Member of Parliament (MP), were unanimous in thought as they cautioned Christians to desist from such ungodly practices. The Chairman of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Dr G. N. N. Odonkor, urged Christians in leadership positions to exhibit Christian principles in their endeavours. �Many Christians in leadership positions have not proved to be worthy ambassadors of Christ because they have not lived up to our expectations. �They join the congregation on each worship day and other festive occasions to worship Christ, but their actions at their workplaces have become an embarrassment to the church,� he said at a church service to mark the silver jubilee celebration of the South Odorkor-Sakaman Ramseyer Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. Addressing the 5th Synod of the West Volta Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church of Ghana in Accra, the MP for Ho Central, Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, said such negative practices had endangered the peace and dignity bestowed on humanity by God. Ramseyer Silver Jubilee The South Odorkor-Sakaman Ramseyer Congregation, which started in the home of the late Mrs Beatrice Aduah Darfour 25 years ago, now has a new edifice that accommodates hundreds of worshippers. The silver jubilee celebration was on the theme: �Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.� Rev. Dr Odonkor said people who indulged in crimes and other social vices were the same people who claimed to be staunch Christians. �It is, therefore, scandalous for Christians in leadership positions, including those in politics, industry, security services and the media, to indulge in actions that demean the teachings of Christ,� he said. Rev Dr Odonkor said it was not for nothing that a section of Christians found themselves in leadership positions, pointing out that �You are in leadership positions not only to exhibit practical values of Christ, but also to teach your subordinates the values of Christ, mentor them and seek their welfare. �You are also there to teach them to obey and live for Christ, but many of your actions and inaction have rather become an embarrassment to the church.� Rev Dr Odonkor said the time had come for Christians in leadership positions to mend their ways by exhibiting exemplary values to prove that they had the gift of the Holy Spirit. �You should audit your faith and life so that we will have Christians who are doers of the word of God, and by so doing, the Lord will always guide you. This is because the Lord said He would be with you always and would not leave you alone,� he said. EP Synod The fifth EP Synod was on the theme, �God of life, lead us to justice, peace and dignity for wholeness.� Mr Kpodo described the theme for the synod as significant and realistic because it threw light on social vices and deviant behaviours in the world. He expressed concern about the manner in which some people destroyed natural resources and polluted the environment. Mr Kpodo was also not happy about the decline in academic performances at the basic and second cycle levels, especially in the Volta Region, which Region came last in the recent West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). Remedies He called on religious groups to pray for divine intervention to address current challenges in the world. In an interview, the Synod Moderator of the West Volta Presbytery, Rev Joyce Kofi Kodade, said the significance of the synod was to bring members of the Presbytery together to discuss its finances, identify new ways of recruiting and retaining membership in the presbytery, and considering means of involving the youth in the church�s administration and activities.