Some men of God bring Christianity into disrepute – Okudzeto Ablakwa

Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described as “sickening” how some men of God use their pulpit to do partisan politics.

According to him, the action and inactions of these pastors bring division into the church.

Okudzeo Ablakwa’s comments are in reaction to Rt. Rev Stephen Richard Bosomtwi-Ayensu criticisms of the Mahama-led administration.

The Obuasi Diocese Methodist Bishop is reported to have said that President John Mahama is “dull and insensitive” to the plight of Ghanaians.

Citing the increases in utility tariffs and high cost of leaving in country, Rev Bosomtwi-Ayensu said it is evident the president is sleeping on the job.

 His comments have incurred the wrath of government appointees who have launched a scathing attack on his person.

Party functionaries, including the National Propaganda Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have alleged that Rev Bosomtwi-Ayensu is a known member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) whose only agenda is to make the Mahama-led administration unpopular.

In support, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji Saturday said “it doesn’t appear that credibility is a friend of this Rev Minister”.

“This Revered Minister [Rev Bosomtwi-Ayensu] will constantly say that I’m not a politician and yet his pronouncements are so harsh, mean, partisan and divisive,” he stressed.

Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed concern about how Rev. Ministers who ought to bring everyone together and have credibility dabble in partisan politics.

He said there is nothing wrong with the clergy engaging in politics but they must not do it clandestinely to injure or favour a political the party.

"When these people want to wear their political colours and descend into the political arena, they should come out and wear the party colour and T shirts when they wish. If you are an NPP, NDC, CPP priest, feel free to do it but making a mockery of the church is not in the interest of anybody,” he bemoaned.

Okudzeto Ablakwa said the comment of the Methodist Bishop is an “attack on God and all of us who call ourselves Christians must condemn it”.