Religious bodies must function as institutions of calm — Rev. Opuni Frimpong

Religious bodies must function as institutions of calm, especially as the country prepares for the December 7 general election this year, a former General-Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has said.

"We must protect our people; religious bodies must get involved in the electoral process. Some of our churches don't appreciate the role they can play in this but we must get involved in the whole electoral process.

"We must get involved in the peace of this land; it is good for the economy as well,” he added.

Event

Rev. Opuni-Frimpong was speaking at a symposium at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church at Mampong in the Ashanti Region last Friday.

It was organised by the Local Council of Churches, in collaboration with the Muslim Community and the Mampong Municipal Assembly, as part of efforts to sensitise the people ahead of the upcoming elections.

In attendance were the Mampong Municipal Coordinating Director, Mohammed Mumuni; the Chairman of the Christian Council, Mampong, Rev. Kwadwo Amoako-Wiredu; the Mampong Municipal Police Commander, ASP Ishmael Stanley Adjei, and the Deputy Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission at Mampong, Mark Agyapong Ababio.

The event was chaired by the Principal of the Akenten Appia-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mampong Campus, Prof. Dr Issac Abunyuwah.

Collaboration

Rev. Opuni-Frimpong, therefore, pleaded with various stakeholders such as political parties, the EC, the police and traditional leaders to effectively collaborate to ensure a peaceful polls this year.

"We will by all means have issues, but we must always ensure we put Ghana first. Let's make sure we hold this country together," he added.

The former chairman of the CCG also urged politicians to be mindful of their utterances in order not to fuel the heat in the country.

Monetisation

Rev. Opuni-Frimpong further described as worrying the monetisation of elections in the country, and said if it festered, people who lacked integrity but had money would be chosen as against those with competence "but don't have money to throw around for votes".

"At the end of the day, the good people we know who can lead us will be pushed aside for the highest bidder to take over. We need a good person that we all know can lead us, not people who have money to give," he said.

Rev. Opuni-Frimpong added that leaders must win the confidence of voters with their love for the country, leadership qualities and integrity, and not through manipulation and monetary inducements.

Assurance

Mr Ababio of the EC assured the people of the commission’s readiness to conduct a credible and peaceful general election.

He urged the electorate to abide by the laid down tenets of the election process such as leaving the polling stations after casting their ballots and returning later at 5p.m. to witness the counting of votes to ensure orderliness at polling centres.

The Head of Programmes of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), at Mampong, Francis Mensah, also called for constant dialogue among stakeholders.

On the part of the police, ACP Adjei said that they were on the ground to make sure that there was peace before, during and after the elections.

He, however, expressed concern over the poor communication network in some parts of the country and entreated management of the telcos to ensure there was uninterrupted communication during the elections.