Presby Church not NPP – Prof. Martey

The outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Reverend Prof. Emmanuel Martey has said it is erroneous to describe the church as having a soft spot for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Although Rev. Prof. Martey has been a staunch critic of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), he stressed the church is apolitical and will criticize or praise when necessary.

“The Presby Church of Ghana doesn’t belong to any party and does not support any party. It has been in existence before all the political parties came,” the Religious Leader said at a press conference Tuesday.

He added: “We have seen government upon government. We partnered in the Fourth Republic JJ Rawlings, John Kufuor and Atta Mills and today we’re partnering John Mahama. So we will partner any government that comes.”

The immediate past Moderator is on record to have assured the 2016 presidential candidate of the NPP Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the Church stands ready to partner with them to build Ghana.

According to him, the assurance does not mean an endorsement for the NPP or makes him a member of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition.

“Maybe they paid my NPP dues. Rev. Martey is more complex than you can think. How can a full professor sell his conscience to one political party?” the vocal Man of God emphasised.

He has also alleged politicians have tried bribing him to gag him from speaking on national issues.

“Politicians have tried all means to muzzle me, to get me but they can’t, they come with bribes, fat envelopes, $100, 000…I want everybody to listen that politicians came to my house with $100, 000 and also with the promises that if you keep quiet we will give you a house at Trasaaco with swimming pool.

“We will give you Four Wheel drive [vehicle] but you know what, these people were lucky that I do not have big dogs in my house else I would have released the dogs for them to bite them.”

Prof. Martey added “they have tried all means to muzzle me but they couldn’t and I tell you they can’t.”