The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante says his comment that the country should use proper scientific methods in tackling economic challenges wasn’t a veiled attack on fellow clergyman Nicholas Duncan-Williams.

The latter’s recent prayers for the ailing local currency to gain ground against the dollar and other major international currencies sparked uproar and criticism.

It led to a debate about whether prayers had any impact on a country’s economy rather than prudent economic measures and policies. The debate heightened after another clergyman, Dr Mensa Otabil, said on Sunday that clear cut and focused vision and planning rather than prayers will change Ghana’s economy.

Rev Asante believes prayers alone without action to effect change will be fruitless.

He however says attempts to pitch him against the Action Faith Chapel Ministries’ General Overseer are unfortunate. “I never attacked him; I did say I believe in prayers”, he said in defense.

That notwithstanding, Professor Asante says after prayers, “we must also start to take action.”

Rev Asante told XYZ News the philanthropy of Archbishop Duncan Williams’ church is enough proof that his fellow clergyman, whom he described as “my dear brother”, also believes in action rather than mere prayers.

He was commenting on President Mahama’s call on the clergy to support him with prayers and also help tune the minds of Ghanaians toward buying into his policies and vision.