"...are we saying that this budget is not for Muslims, are we saying that this budget is not for Atheist and so on, are we saying that this budget is primarily a Christian budget? Who elected this government to give us a Christian budget...?”
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr made the above statement to express his dissatisfaction on what he describes as a 'Christian budget' presented in Parliament.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Attah during the presentation of the 2017 budget, made some references to quotations in the Bible, the Holy book of Christians.
He said: “Mr Speaker, I see our nation with this overwhelming election mandate as all having decided to withdraw in unison like Jesus to a remote place, Mr. Speaker, only to discover that we have five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed our 25 million plus fellow citizens. But herein lies the genius of the Ghanaian for we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, President Akufo-Addo’s budget has tackled the five structural pillars of revenue, expenditure, earmarked funds, labour and our debt.”
But contributing to a panel discussion on Radio Gold's Alhaji and Alhaji programme, the senior journalist pointed out the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not elected to give Ghanaians a 'Christian budget'.
"...are we saying that this budget is not for Muslims, are we saying that this budget is not for Atheist and so on, are we saying that this budget is primarily a Christian budget? Who elected this government to give us a Christian budget? We have Ghanaians who are Jews, we know they believe in God but do not accept the New Testament. I’m saying that when we are doing circular things we should do circular things. He kept on referring to Jesus Christ in relation to the budget. Even if Vice President Bawumia is addressing the country through Parliament and he keeps on mentioning the name of Mohammed throughout his presentation, I’ll take him on...I am not happy at all with the religious bigotry which was so vulgarly displayed in the reading of the budget and I do hope that it will not extend to other state functions “
He added that even “when late President Mills said he had banned the pouring of libation and traditional prayers at state functions, he (Pratt) sharply disagreed with him (Mills), because no religion is inferior.
"Prof. Mills was a Christian alright but he couldn’t have chosen for us all, he couldn’t have created the impression that traditional religion is inferior; he had no right to do that under the constitution. Our leaders have a responsible to treat all religions equal....When late President Mills said he had banned the pouring of libation/traditional prayers at state functions I had a problem with him. Prof. Mills was a Christian alright but he couldn’t have chosen for us all, he couldn’t have created the impression that traditional religion is inferior, he had no right to do that under the constitution. Our leaders have a responsible to treat all religions equal,” Pratt stated.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Kwesi,, use the core of the budget to attack the Finance Minister and NPP and stop making antagonistic statements. Your analogy has no bearing on the budget itself. Come again Kwesi.
So your only problem is the mention of the name JESUS right? So what is wrong for the minister to cite the example of Jesus to make his point? In any case what are the cardinal teachings Jesus which you Kwasi find wrong? Can Kwasi or those who don't believe in JESUS tell us one single thing JESUS said or did which is wrong? I mean just ONE THING. Let us stop this infantile behavior and look at the substance of the budget. I was expecting him to say some about the budget itself and not this childish stuff. This is a matter of faith and the minister used the example of what he believes in without abusing or maligning other faiths. Sometimes I am tempted to believe that Kwasi Pratt is an atheist (which is his right).
Hw3...hw3..hw3 n3 gyemiebi...commot for there Kwesi Pratt.....
This man Kwesi pratt is a dangerous character, fortunately Ghanaians have seen is kind else he will take advantage of some people to destroy our dear country. His motive is clear for all peace loving people
you a disgrace Kwesi, even Donald Trump, quoted from the bible, you are a disgrace
Kwesi is always a loser in all manners of his opinion sharing but this view point is true. The minister could have made references to God not necessarily Jesus. Afterall Jesus, God and the father are one as we've been told. In that way, Ghana's second religion wouldn't be left out. This so called Atta Mills and Mahama world of prayers should be toned down and focus on the realities of life. How did the Dutch, Swedes, Finnish, Japanese develop......they were not sing and sticking their fingers up in the air
Petty analysis the substance of the budget matters.
Mr know all talkertive every thing he has a problem with Has Kwesi Pratt ever been happy with anything
Desperate Mr. Pratt. In fact no Ghanaian is surprise with this stance of yours. We know you will definitely have something against this budget. The good thing is that Ghanaians are very ok with this budget. You can go to Hell.