Akufo-Addo Disrespects Holy Bible

The 2016 presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, over a week ago, shocked many, especially the Christian fraternity, when he was caught denigrating the Holy Bible. The twice defeated presidential candidate on Sunday, November 30, 2014, stormed the Wesley Methodist Church at the Hanson Road -Palladium, Accra, publicly displaying the Holy Bible like a man who had freshly seen God, to participate in what his party described as, �National Thanksgiving Service�. The event, was meant to show appreciation to the Lord for a successful completion of the party�s internal elections and most importantly, the election of Nana Akufo-Addo, as the party�s flagbearer for the 2016 elections. Present at the service, were several bigwigs including, his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, his vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, Samira Bawumia, who were all clad in white, signifying victory. On the day of the much publicized service, members and supporters of the NPP present, spotted Nana Akufo-Addo, holding a very huge Bible, when he alighted from his vehicle, drawing the attention of almost everyone, including photographers, who took the opportunity to take some shots. However, barely had the service begun, when Nana Addo, threw the revered Holy Bible onto the floor of the church, as though it was of no value to him and the event. Tightly clutched in his left hand rather, was a speech in which he promised to be like a �bishop�, as though the event was more of an NPP rally inside a church, than to praise and thank God. It is said that, his Bible was so big that, some even jokingly remarked that they thought he was going to replace the officiating pastor to preach the sermon. They were surprised to see moments later that the Holy Bible was on the floor next to the foot of the 70-year old Nana Addo and his running mate, Dr. Bawumia. People who were not in the church, but later saw some of the pictures from the event, were of the view that Nana Addo, instead of dropping the Holy Bible on the bare floor, should have placed it on his seat or given it to his wife Rebecca, who had gone to the church without a bible. This act, has surprised many and on social media platforms such as, facebook, twitter, and whatsapp users, have since not stopped talking about it, leaving some wondering if the man did the act unintentionally, or he just showed how irrelevant the Bible is to him. Some, who saw this as religiously offensive, even remarked that Nana Addo, is only a pretender when it comes to God. They wondered, if Dr. Bawumia, who is a Muslim, could ever think of dumping the Quran on the floor, as his boss did, and be free from reprisal from the Muslim community. To some people, who have seen the pictures, it is a big disrespect to Christendom for someone as respectable as Nana Addo, to drop the Holy Bible on the floor of the Church, right in front of respected men of God, including the Presiding Bishop of Methodist Church, Most Reverend, Prof Emmanuel Asante and Rev. Dr. Asante Antwi, former President of the Methodist Church. Both, Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia. were prayed for by the clergy for victory in the 2016 election. The Bible is the basic tool of every follower of Christ, and it was not just a mere coincidence that in the run up to the 2012 elections, the NPP and for that matter Nana Addo, themed their campaign �The Battle Is The Lord�s�, indicating to all that it was God, who selects kings and leaders. One question that has remained in the minds of people, who have seen the pictures, is that is it the same Bible the NPP will go back to quote from, while campaigning for the Flagstaff House in 2016? Some of the NPP big wigs, who attended the event were former President, John Agyekum Kufuor; Paul Afoko, National Chairman; Freddie Blay, First Vice Chairman and Ama Busia, a member of the Council of Elders, Bugri Naabu, Benard Antwi-Boasiako, alias �Chairman Wontumi�. The rest were, Alan Kyerematen, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Joe Ghartey, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Stephen Asamoah Boateng and all the regional chairpersons of the party. When Nana Addo, mounted the pulpit, while still keeping the Holy Bible on the floor near the foot of his running mate, promised to be like a bishop in response to an admonition by the Most Rev. Professor Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, that he (Nana) should have a big heart like that of a bishop, as he leads the party in the 2016 elections. I Promise�I will also be a bishop,� Nana Addo told the teaming supporters and leadership of the party, who had assembled at the church auditorium. �A big battle now faces us�we must translate the hard work, the passion of the internal elections to the 2016 parliamentary and presidential elections. �I will provide the leadership and I will listen and work hard. Let us agree to work with one another and let us believe that we are all working for the same agenda of winning the elections and bringing NPP back to power,� he charged. Nana Addo said, the NPP under his administration would do what is right in the eyes of Ghanaians and inspire the citizenry to work hard to transform the nation. When we come into office, we shall govern fairly, truthfully and honestly, and bring the smiles back to the faces of all Ghanaians. We in the NPP, have done it before and we shall do it again,� Nana Addo underscored. He charged members of the party to go out and work to secure unquestionable victory in 2016. Most Rev. Professor Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, in his sermon, commended the party for going through successful elections. �This shows that you actually understand the concept of democracy, but sometimes you go beyond the boundaries,� he noted.