Hundreds of thousands of people in the Kumasi Metropolis packed themselves in church auditoriums and other worship centres to ring in the New Year.
Regular worshipers joined by first timers, held watch-night services to give thanks to God for the gift of life and other mercies.
They sang praises, waved white handkerchiefs and danced with enormous energy to usher in year 2015.
Delivering the sermon at the Kumasi Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church, the Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Professor Osei Safo-Kantanka, asked people in leadership to be selfless, humble, open and accountable.
They should put the general good of the society ahead of individual comfort and resist any temptation to be corrupted, he said.
He said the expectation was that they would make good choices and act boldly to tackle corruption.
He reminded Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and refuse to be daunted even in the most difficult and trying times.
At the Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC), Abrepo-Junction, the Rev Fetus Abbey, the Superintendent Minister, expressed worry about pockets of violence in parts of the country and said this did not bid well for stability and social harmony.
He appealed to all parties to these conflicts to smooth over their differences through sincere dialogue.
He explained that peace had no substitute and said it was important for everybody to accept to live in peace for the nation to focus on the implementation of its development goals.
Rev Abbey said: ?Yes, there are socio-economic difficulties, but these could be surmounted through prayers.?
He, however, urged the people to back their prayers with hard work, to enhance productivity and grow the economy.
Preaching at the-filled-to-capacity Bantama Peyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev. Alex Adu-Sekyere, the Superintendent Minister, spoke against vindictiveness and said people should be ready to forgive those who would wrong them.
This, he said, was vital for the promotion of calm, unity, goodwill and solidarity.
He told the congregation to look into the future with optimism and to believe in themselves.
GNA
