In the pursuit of national peace and stability, the role of various institutions cannot be overstated. One of these institutions is the Christian Church, which plays a critical role in ensuring peace in Ghana, especially during an election year.
The Ghanaian Church is actively involved in politics, and with its vast network and influence, it has the potential to be a powerful force for positive change. However, improper handling of political issues by the church may negatively impact the peaceful cohesion of the country
As a moral conscience of society, the church, through its bodies such as the Ghana Bishop’s Conference (GBC) and Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC), speaks out against the wrongs of the government and the nation.
Moreover, in Ghana, religion holds a significant place in people’s lives, therefore the church has a considerable influence on politics.
As a result, the opinions and views expressed by the church on matters of governance hold more weight than public opinion. Therefore, the church bears the responsibility of promoting and maintaining peace in the country.
Accordingly, the Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi has urged the clergy to promote peace during the 2024 General Elections and refrain from making spiteful comments that may destabilize national peace.
“Every Minister of the Gospel..have a responsibility to protect the peace, stability, and unity of our country. If 72% of us are Christians, then I expect that a lot of these people will be in the churches and therefore pastors have the responsibility…to educate church members. Let’s avoid insults, let’s avoid cutting down people… and ensure that at the end of the election, Ghana will be peaceful. Be careful what you say, be careful how you say it”.
Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi
As such, he indicated that by prioritizing the promotion of peaceful elections, the church can play a vital role in fostering a sense of national unity and solidarity among the people of Ghana.
The focus on peaceful elections, he noted, can help prevent conflicts, violence, and unrest that often arise during electoral periods.
Church Admonished To Remain Disciplined
More so, Rev. Dr. Charles Owusu Ampofo, President of the Ghana Baptist Ministers’ Conference (GBMC) admonished Christians to remain disciplined in the discharge of their duties. He also charged political leaders and the government to uphold the statute of truthfulness and accountability.
Underscoring the role of the church in politics, he indicated that the church serves as a model for political leaders by preaching to them, imparting moral values, and holding them accountable when they exhibit traits of bad governance.
He further emphasized that the church’s involvement in politics is not to interfere with the democratic process, but rather to ensure that the values of justice and fairness are upheld. By doing so, the church can help create a more equitable society and a government that is accountable to its citizens.
“On occasions like this, we speak to them through [the] media for them to know that Ghana belongs to all of us. It does not belong to the incumbent, it does not belong to the opposition. We are all Ghanaians”.
Rev. Dr. Charles Owusu Ampofo
Accordingly, the Clergy and the Church at large were urged to emphasize peaceful elections as it aligns with the church’s core values of love, compassion, and social justice, and reflects its commitment to promoting peace and reconciliation in society.
However, public view is that, the rise of charismatic churches in Ghana has led to a decline in the church’s role as a provider of moral guidance for decision-making.
Nowadays, many churches seem to be more interested in prophesying which political party will win an election, rather than providing a moral compass for their members.
This situation has necessitated the involvement of the police as the IGP had to warn churches against such prophecies. As a result, the advice of both personalities to the Clergy and the church comes as a reminder to churches of their crucial role in ensuring peace in the country.
Consequently, the church must regain its role as a moral compass within which politics can be conducted, so democracy and peaceful cohesion can thrive.
In essence, the church’s engagement in politics is instrumental in shaping a society that upholds moral values and principles, ensuring fairness and justice for all individuals.
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