The Church will not be cowed by Politicians – Christian Council

General Secretary of the Council, Reverend Opuni Frimpong, says irrespective of attacks the church suffers in the hands of both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), it will not be intimidated and will always demand the best for the country.

He says the church has made considerable contributions toward good governance in the Fourth Republic and these could be attested by all Ghanaians.

The chief scribe of the Council disclosed this during an interview with Joynews’ Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng, barely 24 hours after the outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey told the media the church will continue to intervene in issues of politics in the country.

The outspoken senior clergyman said he rejected a colossal sum of $100,000, a 4×4 vehicle and a luxurious house at Trasacco valley fitted with swimming pool offered by an unnamed politician.This claim had been refuted by a former Public Relations Officer of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Emmanuel Osei Acheampong, who alleged the respected Minister of the Gospel took the money and offered part of it to him.

The issue has generated controversy with elements in some political parties wading into the debate. They have advised the church to distance itself from politics and rather concentrate on spiritual matters.Even though he agreed the interface between religion and politics must be clearly defined, Rev. Frimpong says the church will not countenance bad decisions with huge ramifications for the country.

He cited the erstwhile President Kufuor administration when the church came under attack from elements within the NPP for resisting the decision to have Religious and Moral Education taken out of the nation’s educational curriculum.“The Catholic Bishop Conference and the Council said ‘No’ and was attacked,” he said, adding, depending on which clergyman involved in such criticisms “they get all manner of attacks.”

He wondered why politicians with the help of the media will rain insult on the church when they are critical of some governance decision but the same people will be silent when the church says good things about the government.

Rev. Frimpong disclosed the Eastern Regional Minister was hugged by Rev Prof. Martey and had prayers offered to her when she talked about the church but this was ignored by the media.“Mr Asiedu Nketia the General Secretary of NDC is also a Presbyterian so why do we say the church hates politicians?” he quizzed.

He urged Christians and their leaders to learn to “treat politicians not as our enemies or outsiders” but as members of the family.