Mr. Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, the Central Regional Minister, has criticised the rate at which he said some pastors and Christians are demonising politics and politicians.

He said the habit of painting politics black frequently in the pulpit continued to discourage many staunch Christians, who otherwise could have contributed immensely to nation building, from joining mainstream politics.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service to climax the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Susana Wesley Mission Auxiliary (SUWMA) of the Ebenezer Methodist Church, in Cape Coast, he urged the clergy to rather encourage more Christians to become active politicians.

Mr. Quansah, also the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman and the Special Guest for the occasion, argued that if more staunch Christians joined mainstream politics, they could change the politics for the better.

He said in whatever way the clergy saw politicians they were the ruling class and every decision they took, especially in Parliament, was binding on them as citizens, and urged them to rather support the Government through prayer to function effectively.

The Minister, however, acknowledged that there were some challenges, especially in the energy sector, but he said the Government was working them. He said the Government was also excelling in its functions in many areas and with their prayers and support many successes would be chalked. Mr. Quansah praised women for their enormous role in society and emphasised the need to support them to strengthen their roles.

The week-long celebration was on the theme: “May the Lord Repay You for What You Have Done”. In a brief exhortation, Mr. James Odoom, a lay preacher, stressed the need for Christians to believe that their services to God would not be in vain and urged them to support God’s work and lead lives worthy of His Kingdom.

Ms. Florence Aba Williams, President of the branch, paid glowing tributes to founding members, Clergy, past and present executives of the association, for their various contributions over the decade and appealed for continual support.

SUWMA is named after Mrs Susana Wesley, the mother of the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley. Its aims and objectives include the promotion of the welfare of ministers and their families as well as the less privileged and vulnerable in society.

As part of activities to mark the celebration, the association donated assorted learning materials, including books, mathematical sets, pens and pencils to children at Siwdo, the suburb of Cape Coast where the church is situated.