I’ve thought of resigning my position several times – Peace Council Chair

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante has disclosed that he has on several occasions contemplated resigning his position.

One needs a thick skin to lead the Peace Council which is very busy especially during every election year owing to the sometimes inflammatory statements made by politicians.

Rev. Prof. Asante has come under huge flak mainly from some supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who claim he’s biased towards the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as he’s hardly heard condemning negative acts perpetrators by the supporters of that party.

Speaking to Bola Ray on Starr Chat on Starr FM, Rev. Prof. Asante stated that he’s had to think twice about keeping his position whenever insults get at him.

“Several times, especially when I’ve had to sit down and listen to the kind of things people say, the insults here and there, I ask myself what have I gotten myself into, why shouldn’t I…because I don’t need that to live.”

The core function of the Council is to facilitate and develop mechanism to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict and to build sustainable peace in Ghana. With the passing of Act 818, NPC became operational in 2011.

Profile of Most. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante

He completed his elementary education at the Ejura Local Authority Anglican Middle School in 1965. His secondary education was terminated due to financial difficulties. This initial setback did not deter him. Emmanuel studied privately to upgrade himself.

Most Rev. Prof.Asante gained admission to pursue theological studies at the newly established Christian Service College (now Christian Service University College) in 1974. After graduating with a Diploma in Biblical Studies, he continued his theological Education at the London Bible College (now London School of Theology) in U.K., graduating with a Cambridge Certificate in Religious Studies and a College Diploma.

He then pursued ‘A’ level studies in Sociology and Government whiles working to raise funds for further studies.

Emmanuel’s insatiable thirst for theological education led him to the Federated Universities of Saint Paul and Ottawa in Canada where he pursued studies in Philosophy and Theology from 1980-1986.

Most Rev. Prof Asante has two Bachelors of Theology (Civil and Ecclesiastic), Master of Arts in Theology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Federated Institutions of Saint Paul and Ottawa Universities.

He was ordained as a Pastor in 1986 on the recommendation of the Emmanuel United Church in Ottawa where he did his pastoral internship; He has served the Methodist Church, Ghana in various capacities such as Circuit Minister, Superintendent Minister, Synod Secretary and Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church. He also served as Lecturer, Vice-Principal, Academic Dean, and President at Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra.

The Most Rev. Asante has served in various capacities in a number of Ecumenical bodies as a theological consultant for the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa since 1996. He was also the Methodist Chaplain of the Accra Ridge Church, 1994-1998 and the Senior Minister, Trinity United Church, 1999-2006.

He also served as a member of the Judicial Council of Ghana from 2002-2009 and as a member of the Ejura-Sekodumasi District Assembly, 2006-2009.

On the academic front, Most Rev. Asante served as Adjunct Lecturer, Christian Service University College, 1987-1994, Chairman of Council, Christian Service College, 1992-1994, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor, Trinity Theological Seminary, 1994-2006, Head of Department of Religious Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2006-2009.

He has also served as an external examiner in Religious Studies in a number of tertiary institutions in the country and as a consultant on Religious Studies, National Accreditation Board. He has a number of publications to his credit.

He is married to Comfort and they are blessed with three adult sons: Emmanuel, Paul and Jerry and four grandchildren.