Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, says his role is to support existing governments, not opposition groups.
He was responding to critics who claim the clergy has been silent as economic mismanagement, corruption, suffering, and human rights abuses have worsened under the NPP, but they were vociferous under the Mahama-led NDC administration.
The man of God stated such charges against the clergy are unwarranted during ABETICOE’s 70th anniversary on June 17, 2022.
“As Presbyterian Church of Ghana moderator, I can’t oppose. Yes! It’s my obligation to assist any government to flourish, so I’ll try my best and hope that this one succeeds to God’s glory “he told starrfm.com.gh.
In a previous interview in Koforidua, his colleague, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church Ghana, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong Manso, called on the clergy to speak out against wrongdoing.
God created the clergy to be the voice of the voiceless, thus their silence would harm impoverished Ghanaians who suffer most when politicians err.
He agreed that certain men of God are victimized and slandered when they speak up, thus their lethargy.
“Because they fear what people would say, well he’s NDC, he’s NPP, and you’ll have politicians speaking against us; when we talk, they’ll say the pastors are saying too much; when we don’t speak, they’ll say the pastors aren’t speaking.
God has risen gospel pastors as the nation’s conscience; we speak for the voiceless “Rev. Manso Frimpong.
Very Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Ghana, recently made headlines after revealing why certain ministers of God have gone silent.
Fear of insults and bribes makes it difficult for priests to speak out against government wrongdoing, mismanagement, corruption, human rights violations, etc.
“Priests fear insults. Ghanaians insult well. Prophecies from God’s throne denounce wickedness judgment wrongdoers and corrupt society. Prophetic pronouncements are often insulted by a guilty society. Many pastors can’t endure such attacks and stay silent among corruption, but they forget that’s how the masterworks “Marty stated.
Some pastors blindly accept presents that are baits and bribes, which prevents them from delivering prophetic truths with authority.
Sometimes so-called gifts and their accompanying chat are covertly videotaped, dooming the preacher.
“Many religious leaders fear criticizing corrupt politicians from their own ethnic groupings.
They dread betraying ethnic brothers and sisters. They fear dishonest church members from the same ethnic background will take their money.
“Some don’t talk to gain political power. Some clergy and Christians mute their prophetic voice to earn political assets from large, corrupt persons and political influence and power “less
Rev. Martey also stated why he hasn’t spoken out on national problems, preferring to use text messaging instead.
He stated continuing to speak when he’s no longer moderator would violate the Presbyterian Church’s constitution. Only the moderator can speak for the church, he said.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
