Christian Council cannot remain silent on national issues - John Mahama
The Flag-bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama has urged the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana not to stay silent on happenings in Ghana.
According to him, there is so much intolerance in Ghana orchestrated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in its attempt to continue to stay in power.
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He said there was the need for people to freely speak without any fear about what they think it is going wrong in the country without being subjected to attacks and insults.
The former President who was formally presenting his running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman to the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at the headquarters of the Assemblies of God Church in Accra, however, commended the leadership of the Christian Council for defending one of their own — Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare, when the Bishop was subjected to attacks and insults on his person after speaking against some ills in Ghana.
Intimidation
Mr Mahama said due to what is happening in Ghana, many men of God have called on him to speak on those issues.
He said "As citizens of our country and not illegal residents, we should be able to speak our mind like it has been in the past."
He was of the view that the current government is using intimidation and fear to silence people from speaking against the ills in the country, saying that Ghana is “at the crossroads of its democracy” because of what is happening in the country.
The NDC leader said the country used to be a shining example of democracy in Africa but that cannot be said of it today.
According to Mr Mahama, there is so much "politicisation of our institutions; an oppressed Parliament, pliant Electoral Commission, Auditor-General hounded out of his office, misused military, anti-corruption institutions in bondage, an intimidated media, and a terrified moral society."
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For him, almost everything "we have held dear and sacred are intentionally being corrupted in furtherance to selfish political earnings" by the current government.
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He said in spite of where people belong to the political divide, "this is the time we have to come together to save our country,” adding “We cannot sit silently and look on as our nation slips towards decadence and dictatorship."
Mr Mahama further said: "it’s not about me, John Mahama, it’s about Ghana."
Working for the vulnerable
Prof. Opoku-Agyeman, for her part, said the NDC as a party has always believed in the welfare of the vulnerable, for which reason she joined the party.
She said the party was counting on God for a victory in the upcoming December presidential polls.
She added that the party will continue to advance the course of the vulnerable in society where everyone counted.
Men of God and politics
The President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Rev Prof Paul Yaw Frimpong-Manso, for his part said the Christian Council of Ghana will continue to support leaders of the country in spite of their political affiliations.
He said the Council was only interested in the development and therefore will not remain partisan, saying “We will support John Mahama or Akufo-Addo or whoever wins the elections.”
He added: "Politics is a game we do to the glory of God," urging all the political leaders in the country to commit to good virtues as they embark on their campaigns.
Rev Prof. Frimpong-Manso, however, expressed worry over the branding of men of God with political colours, saying the practice has made it difficult for some men of God in the country to speak.
He said “It is uncivilized to brand pastors” with political colours.
He said men of God in the country will continue to pray for the good of the country and its leaders.
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Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso also used the occasion to pray for both Mr Mahama and his running mate and urged them to work hard as they prepare for the December polls.