Speak out on governance : Rev. Odonkor
The Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, has stated that the Church and the religious community must continue to speak out and offer constructive alternatives on governance, irrespective of the backlash and abuse from politicians.
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"Today, there are people, especially some politicians, who think the Church should not involve itself in politics. I beg to differ. As a Church, we have been called to serve the whole interest of humanity. "Over the years, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Ghana. We have so many schools, hospitals and agricultural stations. When we build schools and hospitals, the government is happy, but when we talk about how schools and hospitals are run and also about bad and sloppy political leadership, the government turns round to berate the Church."
Rev. Dr Odonkor said this when he preached a sermon at the 2015 Annual Presbytery Synod of the Ga Presbytery held at the Hope Congregation of PCG , Sakumono-Estates near Tema.
The Reverend Minister ,who preached on the theme: ‘’Christ, open our minds,’’ stressed that if politics was about education, health care, good leadership and the like., then he was inviting the Church to do politics.
"If politics is about the well-being of the citizenry, then the church must do politics. Perhaps what the Church must refrain from doing is partisan politics and identifying with one political party and one colour. The Church must speak about bad leadership and be the conscience of the society. If the Church should keep quiet, then we are doomed,” he stated.
"Unfortunately, there is too much talk and little action. Our democracy has been reduced to a shouting bout on radio and television. Political leaders behave as if they have been elected to office to talk and not to do," he said.
Open mindedness
He prayed that Jesus Christ should open the minds of all Ghanaians so that many people may not be swayed by empty political talk, however well it is presented to Ghanaians.
Rev. Dr Odonkor said in the midst of fear, misunderstanding and confusion, Jesus stood among his disciples after the resurrection and pronounced peace. He said “for people who live in a challenging world and in the midst of all the turmoil and conflict Jesus is ready to pronounce His peace on you”.
