President’s gestures are genuine — Dovlo

THE Head of the Department of Religion of the University of Ghana, Dr. Elom Dovlo, has said that even though the President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has made several reconciliatory gestures, they have been taken too lightly and called on those affected to test the genuineness of the President’s gestures.

“What needs to be done is, those who have been wronged by this and other governments have to come to the realisation that reconciliation is a conscious and continuing process that needs the bridging of gaps between disagreeing parties on the religious, political, ethnical and cultural levels”, he said.

Dr. Dovlo made these statements when he delivered a speech on the theme “ Reconciliation and Renewal in Contemporary Ghanaian Society; A Non- Cleric’s Perspective” , at a public lecture organised by the St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary at Sowutuom, near Accra, at the weekend.

Touching on the need for reconciliation which he described as a process of bringing together and uniting what is divided, is to be successful, it must start with the foundation of the youth to prevent them from inheriting the prejudices that create tension.

“These prejudices, which include stereotyping the negative rather than positive conception of people considered to be foes”, he said.

He added that one important aspect of the process of reconciliation must be the strong will to “exorcise our attitudes of mind, which create stereotypes based on ignorance”.

Dr. Dovlo pointed out that “unless the negative attitudes associated with ethnicity are removed completely the quest will be on a theoretical level”, adding “ indeed in Ghana, notions of national identity and self- understanding of the people needs to be addressed and reconciled for the nation to experience renewal and progress”.

He deplored the situation where political power and economic resources are struggled for on ethnic lines adding that such tendencies create lack of trust and togetherness in the body politic of the modern society.

He said there is no doubt that any pluralistic situation is bound to generate its own conflicts, however, ways must be found to minimise and avoid tension by bridging cultural, religious, political and ethnic differences.

He further called for the need for political tolerance among Ghanaians as the country braces itself for another election.

He said any act of provocation and disaffection would jeopardise Ghana’s current reputation as a stable and democratic country in Africa.

“What is vital during this moment of test is for Ghanaian’s to show to the world that inspite of political differences we are all one people with one national destiny”, he said.

Speaking on the same theme but from a Cleric’s perspective, the General Secretary of the Catholic Secretariat, Rt. Reverend Messenger Jonathan A. Ankrah, called on churches to address Ghanaian’s social, political, religious and economic predicaments that have brought conflict and division among the people.

He said if the church is to participate meaningfully in the process of reconciliation in the country it has to be abreast with the changing attitudes and practises of the people adding that though the word reconciliation was never used in Hebrew Scriptures, the overcoming of hatred and enmity and the achievement of peace and love between God and human beings, among all people are the purpose and will of God”.

He stressed that the Gospel calls on Christians to exercise a ministry of reconciliation in situations defined by strife and hostility.

He added that it is obvious that because of the world-wide influence of Christianity “ what we teach about sin and forgiveness and grace will make deep impressions in the minds and hearts of people and affect relationships of races and ethnic groups”.