Insults from politicians can’t shut us up - Clergy

The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr. Opuni Frimpong has said that he and several members of the clergy are prepared to speak the truth despite insults from politicians.

Dr Opuni Frimpong speaking on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ Friday said it is the duty of the clergy to help shape society hence it would be an act of cowardice on their part to let insults from politicians bar them from exercising their duty.

“During ordinations of men of God, we promise to speak the truth and protect the work of God and society no matter the cost, even to death so we see no reason why we should let insults from politicians dissuade us…,” he said.

The Christian Council Chair was responding to comments by President John Mahama for the clergy to always keep politicians in check.

According to the President, this is part of the means to shaping society and fostering development. The President said since the clergy can be credited for the peace the country, it is important for them to have a say in the governance of the country.

The comments by the President was sharply criticized by other politicians as they claim communicators from the President’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party were always the ones which attacked members of the clergy for expressing their opinions on issues of concern.

Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Deputy Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anhyidoho, Deputy Communications Officer, Kwaku Boahen, NDC Organiser, Kofi Adams and NDC General Secretary, Asiedu Nketia were all named as persons who always attack members of the clergy.

The insults notwithstanding, Dr. Opuni Frimpong said the clergy are prepared to defend their opinions.

He however called on President Mahama and other leaders of political parties to instead advice their political communicators.

“John Mahama has never publicly attacked the clergy and so has Nana Addo and other leaders of political parties, but the communicators, those they buy credit for, of the parties are rented to go and attack the clergy and they ought to be advised…,” he counseled.

Reacting to this, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the NDC, Anthony Nukpenu said the utterances of some members of the clergy causes the politicians to attack them.

“How can you stand on the pulpit and call on wisemen to rise up…if you do that, then it means the leadership of the country lacks wisdom…some of the Pastors only find their voices when some political parties are in power…,” he argued.
He however said that he would never insult ‘an anointed man of God’.