Ghana: Bishop appeals to politicians to stop dividing people

President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, (GCBC) Archbishop Philip Naameh has called on politicians to desist from making comments that will bring about division and disturb the relative peace the nation is currently enjoying.

Angela Ofosu Boateng – Accra, Ghana

Archbishop Naameh, who is the Ordinary of Tamale made the remarks when he addressed politicians, traditional leaders, priests, the religious and the lay faithful gathered at the St. Catherine Senior High School at Akatsi for the opening ceremony of the 2020 Plenary Assembly of the GCBC, recently. The Archbishop referenced recent disturbances that took place in Western Togoland.

There have been disturbances in Ghana’s Western Togoland as separatist groups agitate for secession from Ghana.

Use conciliatory language

The Archbishop reminded Ghanaians that in addressing the disturbances, care must be taken so as not to step on the toes of anyone but ensure a win-win outcome for a united and stable Ghana.

Archbishop Naameh said, “it is for this reason that we call on all, especially those prominent politicians who go out of their way to refer to some Ghanaians as ‘foreigners’ to desist from those unguarded comments.”

He explained that such unfortunate utterances worsened the already existing threat to the unity of the nation, stressing that “all divisive comments must cease if we intend to make any progress in our attempt to address the current threat posed by the secessionists.”

Archbishop Naameh called on the government to do all within its means to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Give the word of God space

Speaking on the theme of the Bishops' Plenary, The Word of God: Christian Formation for Transformation in Ghana, Archbishop Naameh said Christians must at all times become the source of light to the world by avoiding deceit, corruption, materialism, greed for money, power and fame among others.

“In a society where honest and dedicated hardworking people are scarce commodities; where probity and accountability are acts of witch-hunting;  where ritual murderers operate with ease; where the youth practise Sakawa (Internet fraud); where contract killings for various reasons are on the increase and where the young disrespectfully address their leaders -the Word of God must be given space to define, direct and shape the beginning and future of our society. We need more than ever to sow the Word of God, so as to experience the transforming power of His Word," said the Archbishop.

Apostolic Nuncio: Pay attention to the neglected and downtrodden

In his address, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, explained that human existence could be understood as a dialogue with God, hence, the Church is entrusted with the mission to proclaim the Word of God always and everywhere.

He noted that through His Word, God continues to speak to people as he did with the Prophets and Apostles. The Apostolic Nuncio, however, emphasised that there was need for faith and obedience on the part of human beings.