"...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
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
The budget is for Nana Addo and his cronies. It is a ploy to drain the swamp from the public purse. They have already started buying houses abroad for their families. The same old colonial mentality display is still with us today. Its all bamboo politics. NPP government is full of friends and families. Big belly and fat belly relatives. Ghana is in deep sorrow. Jobs for the boys and party loyalties. Lack of statecraft, tacticians and strategists to steer the country from poverty. It is not going to get better looking at the level of crooks in government today.
if you quote any religious quotation without undermining others i don't see anything wrong. it is important to even know good things about other religious group. that is why we read cultural studies for us to know other ways of life. Good name is better than riches. my advice to my brother kwasi pratt JNR is that, if you want to know who you are listen to the way people describe you bro.
what is this guys problem? is he high on the wrong stuff again?
Kwesi Pratt is just a ffoooool.and hypocrite...
Kwesi let us respect you OK you too grown to be talking like a kid let kids who are ***barred word*** talk this way about politics...... And Paul said wen I was a kid I thought and spoke like a kid but wen I grew up I thought and spoke as an adult will do .....WISDOM.. DONT LET ME TELL YOU DAT U LUCK IT believe me or not if not for the peace and literacy level ***barred word*** statements of yours could lead to religious war tribal war and civil war You re a nuisance Uncle Kwesi Pratt
Let's be objective. Kwasi is right. It is wrong to be mixing your religious beliefs with state affairs,especially in a nation with people of various beliefs. Religion is a personal and private matter. All those who are defending that mistake,suppose that he had profess Antoa the Ashanti river god in the budget reading,you would have despised and scorned him for that. And you would have done that because he didn't profess your religion. This is why it is best not to mix one's religious beliefs with matters of state. Let's be rational and get serious as a country instead of justifying everything on partisan grounds.
Kwasi Pratt indeed is being hunted but his dishonesty. He has sold soul his integrity for pocket change. Now he does petty biddings for the NDC. Shame Shame Shame, people do not take you serious Mr. Pratr.
the fact the you have a medium to talk doesn't mean you can make comments to bring division among religions.the man was talking as a christian and there was no way he could quote from a relogion he knows nothing of.logically a muslim would have also made a scenario from the koran.kwesi pratt journalist inform,educate and entertain you view is below the belt.it is better to remain quite if you don't have anything to say on the said matter but don't deviate.
Mr. big mouuuth , you no all , divisive character like you. What was wrong from the statement he made? Did he discredit any religion? You think you're more intelligent than every Ghanaian, it's hard time you begin to ***barred word***.
Yes Mr you can go to hell because you talk too much and that is not good. The man is a Christian and you expect him to use Koran for his point. You are seriously sick.