Ghanaians would recall that when the polls in Ghana closed in 2000 and it became apparent that the NDC and its flag-bearer Professor Mills had lost, it created a lot of uncertainties. Even among the NPP top hierarchy there were some who feared that there was no way Rawlings would hand over power to the NPP to form the next government. This uneasiness was so widespread that even the jubilant NPP supporters were very cautious in their celebrations.

Enter the Christian Council. They swiftly came out with a statement following the uneasiness that engulfed the whole country to appeal to Professor Mills to come out and concede defeat in the interest and peace of the country. This is one act that millions of Christians applauded the council for doing. Being the humble and well-cultured as he is, Professor Mills heeded the call by the Christian Council and without even consulting most of the leadership in the NDC party came out and humbly conceded defeat. This is the mark of a well trained, cultured, measured and reasonable person who considers the country’s interest much more paramount that his.

Immediately Professor Mills came out to concede defeat the whole country exploded with joy and the uneasy tension that engulfed the country suddenly dissipated. That was when Professor Mills earned the accolade “Asomdwee Hene” from the NPP and Ghanaians at large.

In 2004 a similar situation occurred. Joy FM, which is noted for making good projections, told the whole world that President Kufour was coasting to another four-year term when most of the election results from the constituencies had not even been certified and released by the Electoral Commission (EC). Immediately Obetsebi-Lamptey heard the news from Joy FM, he held a press conference and declared President Kufour the winner of the 2004 Presidential Election. Fellow Ghanaians, Obetsebi-Lamptey elected himself the Electoral Commissioner and declared Kufour the winner.

When some reporters started challenging Obetsebi-Lamptey his response was that he based his declaration on the projections made by Joy FM. And this is the same man who was jumping all over the place on Monday denouncing the projections made by Joy FM that Professor Mills was the clear winner in the presidential run-off. But before I veer off the point I want to make, Professor Mills again came out and conceded defeat before the final results were tallied by the EC.

Enter 2008. This time round, God has smiled on Professor Mills and the suffering Ghanaians. We all know who won this election. Professor Mills won 8 out of the 10 regions. Even in the Eastern Region (Akufo-Addo’s den) he chiseled 42 percent of the votes. Talk about Ashanti Region, Professor Mills was not found wanting. In spite of the bloated voter register, which saw increases of 20,000 to 30,000 of votes for Akufo-Addo in most of the key constituencies, Professor Mills won 25 percent of the votes.

Currently Professor Mills is leading Akufo-Addo by 40,586 votes. But to the astonishment of many Ghanaians, the Christian Council is this time very, very silent. They are pretending that nothing is happening. They are silent and not calling on Akufo-Addo to also concede defeat in the interest and peace of the country. Beloved Brothers and Sisters, in times like this it becomes extremely painful when your own church leadership fails you. What was good for Professor Mills in 2000 is not good for Akufo-Addo in 2008.

This is a very sad case, and I am telling the Christian Council that God is watching all their actions. Ghanaians are also watching all their actions. This is the time they have to stand up and speak for the downtrodden suffering Ghanaians who they continue to talk their collections every Sunday. This is the time they need to speak up and tell Akufo-Addo in simple basic language that, “You fought a good fight with all your might, but Ghanaians, it seems are looking somewhere else for a new king of leadership, therefore concede defeat in the interest and peace of the country.” But they are silent because of their biases against the NDC.

I am writing to serve notice to the Christian Council that if they fail to act, God will surely speak for Professor Mills and Ghanaians. AGAIN, I SAY TO YOU, MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL, GOD IS WATCHING YOU.

Credit: Ekua Kwansema [ekwansema@yahoo.com]