“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you about my decision to resign membership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana effective immediately. I have arrived at this painful decision due to some very disturbing developments within sections of the leadership of the church with regards to the erosion of the high esteem within which it is held.
This erosion of the church’s image has come about because of a widely held perception among sections of the Ghanaian public that a section of the leadership of the Presbyterian Church is taking sides in our politics. Apart from incidents that have occurred at some presbyteries like the Prince of Peace presbytery at Sakumono and other bizarre incidences at the Akropong Christ Church during the preamble to the 2008 election, The church’s image has cascaded towards ignominy as a result of its recent involvement in the controversy generated by mostly NPP supporters over the creation of 45 new constituencies.
This has created the scope for criticism about its perceived bias towards the New Patriotic Party. Specifically, the church has refused to speak out when members of the New Patriotic Party engaged in damnable acts that send this country into the strata of opprobrium. On the contrary, it has seized every opportunity to castigate the NDC at every turn, whilst failing or refusing to chasten the NPP with comparative fervour when the need has arisen to do so.
I am embarrassed by the intemperate language used by the Public Relations Officer of the Church on the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, himself a proud Presbyterian and indeed a member of the session of the Westbro Presbyterian Church.
It is within the realms of ungodliness for a high placed official of a respected spiritual organization like the Presbyterian Church to use such indecent language and make false representations about equally respected members of society and indeed one of their own, all for the sake of political expediency. The matter is further exacerbated, when it comes from the mouthpiece of the church. Mr Osei Akyeampong’s utterances completely undermine the church’s moral authority to speak out against abusive language used in our politics, because the church is now fully embedded within the conundrum of the politics of insults.
As a member of the Akropong Akuapem presbytery of the church and hailing from Akropong Akuapem, I
am acutely aware of the strict disciplinary code that officials and indeed members of the church have to subject themselves to. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has a legendary record of instilling discipline in all its assigns and it is not lost on me that several members of my immediate family including my father and uncles have attended schools like Akropong Salem and Presbyterian Training College, Akropong.
The one thing that is unequivocal about any of the memories that these close family members have shared with me is that discipline was a non - negotiable omnipresence within the fabric of the church.
I am therefore extremely surprised that no disciplinary action has been brought against the PRO, neither has there been any clarification from the leadership of the church as to whether it endorses the PRO’s comments. I cannot reconcile myself with the notion that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana believes that the General Secretary of the NDC speaks under the influence of alcohol and is therefore not a normal person simply because he expressed misgivings about the church’s position on the creation of new constituencies.
I am a card bearing member of the National Democratic Congress, but have always believed despite several occurrences that may give an impression to the contrary that the Presbyterian Church at least overtly had no horse in the politics of our beloved nation, these developments have traumatised me to no end and have made my membership of the church no longer tenable. I do not see myself and others like me who may have non Danquah Busia political leanings as being able to contribute effectively to the faith within which I was baptised. It has become increasingly difficult to remain equanimous in the face of such impertinence and hence, I am left without any options.
John Chapter 14 verse 16 – 18 reads; And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.”
Yours in the Lord,
Kwadwo Ansah Twum Boafo
Executive Secretary Ghana Free Zones Board
Member Akropong Christ Presbyterian Church
Akropong —
Foolhardiness i must say
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