Libation ban call causes a stir

While battling to distance itself from reports that it took part in events leading to the murder of Ya-na Andani II, Para mount Chief of Dagbon Traditional area, government would have to brace itself for another divisive accusation, this time for sowing religious discord.

The Afrikania Mission, following media reports indicating that the Deputy Local Government Minister, Captain (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. S. K. Boafo, at separate public functions called for a ban on libation pouring at state functions, condemned the Ministers? statements, describing them as divisive tendencies.

His Holiness Osofo Komfo Kofi Ameve, at a press briefing yesterday, stated that by calling for a ban on libation pouring at state functions, which is the belief of a particular religion, the two ministers of state, are subverting the constitution, which provides for freedom of worship in a secular state like Ghana.

?The Afrikania Mission wishes to remind our Ministers of State that upon assuming office, they swore an oath to this nation that they will respect the constitution and do justice to all manner of people?, he stressed, adding the our parliamentarians and ministers are not voted into power on religious consideration.

Osofo Ameve said when government calls on the major religious groups to offer prayers at state functions, the purpose is not to make magic, but to demonstrate to the world the unity of the people of Ghana.

?We demonstrate to the world that there is freedom of worship in our country. That is what our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah established for us. This example was followed by all the Governments of Ghana to date. By this religious conflict was either eliminated or minimized in our history?.

Osofo Ameve explained that no form of prayer retards the progress of the nation, saying God answers all good prayers offered to him and his divinities.

?Christians believe that God accepted the prayers of Jesus Christ, for sacrificing His blood to clean the sins of people who will believe in God through Him. God accepted the prayers of Mohammed and offered him a great force in Mecca to unite the faithfuls of Islam. God accepted the libation prayer of Okomfo Anokye and handed down the Golden Stool that unites the Ashanti Kingdom and kept it intact to date. This is the greatest miracle performed in Ghana through libation prayer. If any religion in Ghana has performed miracles, which is equivalent to this, let them show it?, he argued.

The Afrikania spiritual leader said the idea that the African traditional religion is idolatrous is an ignorant mistake; evangelists out of ignorance always express this idea.

According to him, idolatry is an emotion, which affects all people of all religions.

He said some idolize ideas; some idolize belief while others idolize money and wealth.

He prayed ministers of state to desist from statements that could divide the nation on religious grounds.

Touching on the low progress chalked by the nation, Osofo Ameve said, the Afrikania mission has traced the nature of the country?s slow progress to factors such as; laziness, dishonesty, selflessness, greed, corruption, indiscipline, and lack of patriotism.

According to him, all-nights and all-days prayer camps and churches divert the mind of Ghanaians from hard work and are directly responsible for the stagnation in the nation?s progress.

?These are the root causes of our problems?, he added.