THE DEPUTY Brong-Ahafo Regional Chief Iman, Alhaji Baaba Seidu, has suggested that if it is permissible for a religious body to govern a country, then the Catholic Church should be allowed to govern Ghana to ensure rapid socio-economic development, unity and peace.
According to Alhaji Baaba Seidu, it is an undeniable fact that the Catholic Church is far beyond any other religious sect in the country, per its enormous contribution towards the socio-economic development, unity and peace. Delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the Second National Pastoral Congress of the Ghana Catholic Bishops� Conference in Sunyani, Alhaji Seidu indicated that the Catholic Church remains an icon of unity for involving and engaging almost every religious sect in the country in all their activities.
He said the consistent healthy relationship the Catholic Church have with other religious bodies and sects has been the magic portion of Ghana�s political stability, thereby enjoying a peaceful atmosphere, despite some economic challenges. Alhaji Baaba Seidu indicated that the rapport between the Catholic Church and Islam in the country is insurmountable, and hoped that it remains as such, to ensure peace and development.
He said the Catholic Church, aside working on the spiritual and moral aspect of life, also support people with the provision of infrastructure and social amenities such as schools, health facilities and potable water, to improving the quality of lives for a complete and sound society.
According to Alhaji Seidu, the Catholic Church in Brong-Ahafo has established the Catholic University College of Ghana, the St. Joseph College of Education at Bechem, the St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa Akwamu, the Midwifery and Nurses� Training Colleges at Berekum and Techiman, several Junior and Senior High Schools, and a number of Hospitals among other equally important social interventions, which is far beyond any religious sect in the region.
He continued that Islam and the Catholic Church stand for peace and development, hence their cordial relationship. The deputy regional Chief Imam, later in an interview with The Chronicle, vehemently condemned the act of people linking Boko Haram to Islam, saying �Boko Haram� is not Islam, but a group of people who have adopted the Islamic name.�
He wondered how an Islamic group, knowing very well that Islam is for peace would go about doing ruthless things to mankind, �Boko Haram� is not an Islamic group but a rebellious heartless group of people who have adopted an Islamic name just to defame Islam. He called on all Moslems to live peacefully with one another in whatever community they might find themselves, since Islam is for peace and nothing else.
His Eminence Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on his part indicated that the Catholic Church had lost its leadership role as the definer of Christian identity and value, saying the Pentecostals and Evangelicals had supplanted the Catholic Church as the maker of Christian thought in Ghana.
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