Koku tackles Presby Moderator over 'nation wreckers' comment

A Deputy General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Koku Anyidoho, has described as unfortunate, comments by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Prof Emmanuel Martey, that those clamouring for the convicted Montie contemnors to be pardoned are “nation wreckers.”

Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn, and Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe, were jailed for four months by the Supreme Court for scandalising and bringing the name of the apex court into disrepute.

Following their sentencing, supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress, ministers, deputy ministers, groups, friends, and family have mounted pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to grant them pardon by invoking his prerogative of mercy powers under Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.

Some of the prominent names to have signed the petition include Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Education Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Deputy Education Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Petroleum Minister Benjamin Dagadu, Deputy Minister of Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, among others.

But while speaking at a service to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Logos congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the Achimota College, Prof Martey said: “A nation is an entity, a people ruled by law, so, if there are any people who are a lawless society, then they are doomed. [In] a country like America, when you break the law, even if you are the president or a presidential candidate and they get you, you’ll go to jail. I hear some people are saying what the judges did was not right. Look, threatening to kill a judge, it has happened before in Ghana, whoever has issues with the sentence of these three people are nation wreckers who must be condemned and not be entertained.”

However, Mr. Anyidoho, who spoke on Inside Politics on Class91.3FM on Tuesday, August 2, said the comment by the clergyman was in bad taste.

“We are not clubbing, we are not killing, we are not pouring acid [on people], we are not destroying, so it’s interesting how some people then will turn around and say those of us who are using legitimate means to ask that the president invokes Article 72 become nation wreckers.

Have we suddenly forgotten about the Bible, because the Bible admonished us to forgive, so, if as Christians we are asking for forgiveness, do we become sinners or do we become nation wreckers? It’s sad the way a section of the society decides to look at things. When it has to do with the NPP, they are all for it, [but] when it has to do with the NDC, then we become the enemies of the state. It is unfortunate. How do you describe us as nation wreckers if all we are seeking to do is to allow due process to take place?” Mr. Anyidoho bemoaned.