Church must reclaim moral voice on national issues - Methodist minister

The Church must become more intentional in shaping national discourse and preparing Christians for public leadership if it is to remain relevant in addressing Ghana's governance challenges, Very Rev Dr Phyllis Bernice Kwarteng Donkor, Minister in Charge of the Taifa Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, has said.

Speaking on Behind the Pulpit with MzGee, Rev Dr Donkor argued that Christians should not shy away from politics but rather enter public office equipped with strong ethical and spiritual values capable of influencing national development.

"I think we need to take a look at that because it's not automatic that the Church should not be part of politics," she said. "Christians are citizens. If we have the truth and we are doing the right thing, then why not? We should definitely be the ones leading in active politics."

According to her, churches should deliberately identify, mentor and support members who aspire to political leadership, while holding them accountable to Christian principles after they assume office.

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She cited the Church of Pentecost's efforts to encourage members into public leadership as an example other denominations could study.

"If as a church we sit people down, teach them the correct way to do politics and continue to support them, they will have the courage of conviction to do the right thing," she said.

Rev Dr Donkor, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, maintained that the Church's credibility in speaking on national issues depends largely on its willingness to address shortcomings within its own ranks.

"The Church is supposed to be the mouthpiece. We are supposed to be the salt and the light," she said. "But when we are not doing things right within the Church, it's difficult for us to now go out to society and tell them what to do."

She therefore urged churches to strengthen accountability and genuine Christian living, saying moral authority is earned through example rather than rhetoric.

"We need to start cleaning up our own messes and get our act together," she said.

Using illegal mining as an example, Rev Dr Donkor said churches should be bold enough to confront members whose activities harm the nation, rather than remain silent out of fear of offending congregants.

"If we are doing things right ourselves, then we can have the courage of conviction to tell people to stop what is destroying the country," she noted.

She also called for stronger collaboration between churches and Christians serving in public office, suggesting that denominations establish support systems to guide members facing ethical dilemmas in politics and governance.

"Sometimes they have nobody to talk to," she said. "But if they know the Church is backing them and holding them accountable, they will have the courage to stand for what is right."

Rev Dr Donkor maintained that while the constitutional separation of church and state should be respected, Christians have both the right and responsibility to contribute meaningfully to national leadership and policy through principled public service.



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