‘We must forgive if we love Jesus’ - Isaac Odamtten

Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, a former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema has challenged the faithful to prove their respect for God Almighty by forgiving people who have offended them.

“The gruesomeness that rings through the theme of Easter is God’s communication to us that love is sacrificial; it is not an emotion or feeling as many of us believe, but a choice to offer one’s self as sacrifice for the good of others."

“Deeply buried in this theme is forgiveness. If we truly are people of faith – Christians, Muslims, Hindus, or traditionalists – it does not matter, we will use this season to forgive all manner of persons who have wronged us,” Mr Odamtten in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency on Sunday said.

He said true people of faith would be exampled by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and forgive if they truly appreciate the significance of the season which is marked by Christendom to reflect on God’s sacrificial love for mankind.

The former MCE who is rumoured to be lacing his boots to contest for the 2020 Parliamentary ticket of the NDC in Tema East, said he was much aware that it was not easy to love and forgive unconditionally, “but that is why Jesus died, to give us a powerful example to follow.”

He said he would be following his own advice, promising to forgive all his detractors including; those who forged trumped up charges of corruption against him this Easter.

“I have prepared to specially pray for the detractors this Easter,” the former MCE said from his base in the USA.

Christians marked this year’s Easter, starting from Friday this week. The important event on the Christian calendar which is central to the faith was rounded up on Sunday when the resurrection of Christ was marked.

As a preacher himself, Mr Odamtten asked all people, irrespective of faith, to be guided by the example of Easter and forgive.

“It does not matter whether you are a Christian or not, what Easter stands for is forgiveness. It is that event that says, “look, in spite of all your imperfections and faults, a perfect God still gives you a second chance anytime you fail; all you have to do to thank him in return is to forgive others who fail you as well,” he said.

He also called on Christians to share with people of other faiths reminding that at the end of the day, Jesus did not form any religion, but preached love and forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the former MCE has remained tight-lipped on his rumoured intent to run for MP on the ticket of the NDC.

While abroad, there had been on-going tag-of-war for him to run for MP in either Tema East or West; or even Tema Central or Ekumfi.

Some group in the Volta Region also called for him to be made Running Mate to NDC Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.