The Most Reverend Lucas Abadamloora, President of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference on Monday called on political parties to refrain from acts of intolerance and insinuations, which he said could mar the December polls.
He urged the leadership of the parties to call to order any of their members who might engage in acts of lawlessness that would undermine the prevailing peace and stability of the country.
Most Rev. Abadamloora who is the Catholic Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga diocese, made the call at the opening of the 29th plenary session of the conference at Goaso in the Asunafo municipality of Brong-Ahafo Region.
The 10-day conference, being attended by 22 Bishops drawn from the 19 dioceses of the church, is on the theme "Peace building in Ghana".
Most Rev. Abadamloora noted that the cost of violence was high in terms of human suffering and poverty and that "it is important that conflicts are transformed from those that lead to violence into those that find expression in dialogue".
He emphasized that Ghana as a democratic country needed to develop and extend policies that promoted human security, rule of law and democratic decision making to consolidate unity, peace and harmony.
Most Rev. Abadamloora expressed regret about the alarming rate of alcoholism, drug abuse, occultism and widespread sexual immorality in basic and second cycle institutions.
He commended President J. A. Kufuor for re-introducing the teaching of religious and moral education in the educational curriculum to help curb acts of immorality in the educational system.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Catholic Bishop of Goaso Diocese, appealed to political parties and their followers to conduct themselves maturely before, during and after the general election.
He commended the Goaso traditional council, political and civil authorities as well as security agencies in the area for their assistance and cooperation towards the growth of the diocese.