"...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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I think kwasi pratt has lost his public credibility as a public commentattor so the media should stop engaging him there are fresh brains in Ghana, we need fresh ideas to move Ghana forward
Until Rawlings came on the scene, it was all Christian prayers to things that were national in character. let us talk about relevant things.
Uncle Kwasi grow small . The multitude that Jesus fed at the time were not all believers infact the majority of them were those that have come to listen to the good news to take away their sufferings and thats exactly the people Ken Ofori Attah is referring to so bro relax.
what is your faith
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhba , KWASI PRATT, why , no christian , atheist, muslim, traditionalist noticed this example and took it to another extent!!! You want to bring religious acrimony in Ghana . why????? It is written , the person through whom a bad deedhappens ............i rest my case
Am a student of the bible but I agree with kwasi, even God will not force anyone to serve him. Remember what paul said if I go to Rome i do what Romans do. Ghana is not for Christians alone. People should get that. Only people with little brain will insult kwasi.
Mr. Prat I have a msg for and it's a free advice. KEEP QUIET when you don't ave any thing to say. Have you ever sung the National panthem or Pledge before? If yes then it was pointless criticizing Ken forexpressing his Faith. Well repent before you breath your last on earth for God's judgement await all of us. REPENT, I say REPENT... DEVIANT
Most unfortunate. Infantile thoughts. Is it a crime to express ones faith? Infantile argument. The minister is on course. You can go to afadzato and scream out your thoughts. Mental
Did Kwesi Pratt say anything when Mallam Issa used the phrase "Isha Alla"? This is much ado about nothing. I must say, this saying has even become a Lingui Franca in the country. Let me make it clear to Mr. Pratt; we Christian believe that words are powerful. So professing it at the assembly of people makes it most powerful. He has said it and it will come to pass. Mr. Pratt can also swear on "Akonodo" we don’t care.
Ken has just started so he was trying to impress. In future he could tone down on the tribal and religious inclinations and just go straight to the facts and figures. He will get there!