Pastors urged to remain politically neutral

The Reverend Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), has urged his colleague pastors to strive to remain politically neutral.

This, he said, would enable them to earn the trust and confidence of the political parties, something that could give them the moral authority to mediate political disputes.

It should not be lost on them that engaging in partisan politics could threaten the unity of the church and hamper its growth.

The Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong expressed discomfort with the situation where some of the pastors used the pulpit to make all sorts of predictions about the outcome of the December 7 polls, and said it must stop.

He was speaking at a service held at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi to climax the 90th anniversary celebration of the presbytery.

“The Holy Spirit in the life of Asante Presbytery at 90 - Yesterday, today and tomorrow”, was the theme.

The Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong used the occasion to recount the history of the church and difficulties the founding members endured in the early years to nurture its growth.

The present generation needed to be inspired by their hard work, dedication and sacrifices to expand the membership.

They should also abide by the church’s doctrine - evangelize, lead pious lives, and to support the poor and the suffering.

Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Ministers, lauded the PCG for its significant contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development through education, health and the supply of social amenities as well as moral training.

It had indeed served as a reliable development partner of the state.

He appealed to the church to continue praying and fasting for the peaceful conduct of this year’s elections.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, in a speech read for him congratulated the church for the important milestone and wished them a successful anniversary celebration.

The Manhyia Palace has had warm relations with the church and that could only continue.