Archbishop cautions clergy against partisan politics

Dr George Slezer Ofori-Atta, Presiding Archbishop of the International Council for the Clergy (ICC), has cautioned the clergy against indulging in partisan politics.

According to him, the utterances of some ministers of God had clearly portrayed their partisan positions, which posed as a serious threat to unity within the body of Christ.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta gave the caution at the 24th International Public Ministerial Ordination and Consecration of 10 ministers in Accra on Saturday. Organised by the ICC, the event brought ministers from various churches across the country, comprising eight apostles and two pastors.

Archbishop Ofori- Atta noted that even though politics cannot be taken away from people’s daily activities, the indulgence of the clergy’s politics has brought division in churches.

“Let us not indulge in partisan politics, for we have taken cognisance of some of our folks who command… large following to be towing a certain line consistent with certain elements in some of the political parties in our nation,” he stated.

Archbishop Ofori-Atta indicated that the partisan stance of some ministers of the gospel has gotten to a level where they exempt themselves from national programmes.

“These groupings with their respective large following deliberately refused to participate in the National Thanksgiving Service. This was unfortunate since (the) event was a national programme rather than just a political party event.”

Archbishop Ofori-Atta called for more collaboration between the Church and the State.

He appealed to government not to dwell too much on its achievements since the feat was aimed at bringing about social, economic and spiritual development of the people.

“Every good leadership is demonstrated by the success of the people and not necessarily the policies,” he observed.

He appealed to the media not to focus on criticisms of government, but rather help to provide solutions to some of the things the Executive needed to do to benefit the citizenry.