Chairman of the New Patriotic Party has come to the defence of the Rev. Asante Antwi who is under fire for pledging his support for the NPP. The ex-president of the Methodist Church, criticized the Mills administration for what he says is the poor economic performance and the general indiscipline that has engulfed the country. At a thanksgiving service held at the Ridge Church on Saturday, Rev. Samuel Asante Antwi also urged the electorate to vote the NPP into power in the 2012 general elections. His comments have since triggered lots of criticisms and condemnation especially from government. But the Chairman of the NPP Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in an interview with Joy News says people must cut out the hypocrisy and double standards. “If you are a leader you are a leader. You are expected to lead...this thing about hide yourself and pretending” is not good enough. He says he is aware of religious leaders and other powerful people who pretend to be neutral but "speak quietly" behind the scenes, saying that phenomena must stop. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey said a leader must be courageous enough to voice issues he feels so strongly about, adding, the criticisms of Rev Asante Antwi is the reason why some leaders prefer to sit back and do nothing even when things are going wrong. He commended Rev Asante Antwi for what he says is his show of leadership. Asked if Rev Asante Antwi is a member of the NPP Jake Obetsebi Lamptey said: “He is an adviser; he holds us to our vision and our promise.” He added that the clergy man has vowed to hold Nana Akufo-Addo accountable for the many promises he made during his vision statements to members of the church and Ghanaians generally. On whether the Rev Minister should apologise for his comments Mr Lamptey retorted; "why should he apologise for a magnificent statement of leadership." He would not comment on government’s criticism of Rev Antwi except to say that Okudzeto Ablakwa "says many strange things." Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana