The slow pace at which religious bodies condemn inflammatory statements by political actors in the country has started creating discomfort for the Concerned Clergy and Christians of Ghana (CCCG).
Recent utterances by some political figures in the major political parties in the country have been described as unpalatable, condemned and likely to put the nation’s peace at risk ahead of the November General Elections.
To this end, the CCCG has asked religious bodies to redeem their image by responding swiftly to divisive statements to maintain the peace the country is currently enjoying.
In a statement issued on yesterday, 5th May, 2016, and signed by Rev. Dr. Augustus Anim, the National Spokesperson of CCCG, indicated “We want to state categorically that, C.C.C.G does not and will never support any tribal and religious bigotry comments that have the tendency to divide the peace-loving people of Ghana, regardless of which angle such utterances emanate from”.
According to him, the recent religious inflammatory comments by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Kennedy Agyapong’s endorsement of a slap against his colleague Member of Parliament and an NDC communicator, Robert Owusu, who swore they would cut down NPP supporters if they dare foment trouble ahead of the 2016 general elections, were all supposed to have been condemned by religious bodies with speed.
“The C.C.C.G will want to state that, it’s about time some of our religious groups in the country stop the ostrich game which they have been playing by failing to publicly condemn these inflammatory statements from certain people”, the statement demanded, adding that such reckless utterances and endorsements were not healthy and must be condemn by all especially National Peace Council.
According to the statement, the long silence of some respected clergymen in condemning or commenting on inflammatory statements seem to be weaning confidence and creating the impression among the public of being bias.
“As Christians and for that that matter men of God, we have reputation to protect. It is amazing how a section of the clergy sometimes are quick to join the fray; but turn deaf and blind, when even worse matters emerge from certain angles”, it posited.
The statement called on security operatives to swiftly arrest and launch in-depth investigations into a certain Mustafa Guove, the Upper West Youth Organizer of NPP, over his alleged threats to brandish weapons like G3 riffles if NDC supporters provoked them by insulting Nana Akufo-Addo.
“We also demand that the security agencies thoroughly look into claims that the NPP has brought into the country four Serbians in 2014 to train party security, and other security implication issues”, it added.
CCCG appealed to politicians to be mindful of their utterances, and focus on issue-based campaigns, particularly the problems confronting the citizenry and outline their policies on how they intend to solve the problems when voted into power.
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