Take interest in National Politics- Rev Adeleye urges Christians
Reverend Dr. Femi Adeleye, Executive Director, Institute for Christian Impact (ICI), has called on Ghanaian Christians to cultivate the habitant and take a keen interest in participating more actively in politics and governance in the country.
Speaking on Saturday at the launching event of the GHAFES Leadership Networks (GHALNETS) in Accra, Rev Dr. Adeleye, said that Christians who constitute a significant part of the country’s population could not afford to stay away from governance issues as they affect their lives in diverse ways.
In his considered view, uniting Christians for an active role in politics and governance is not meant to divide the country but to ensure that God-fearing persons participated in elections and are accountable to the people.
He said when the Christian society abstained or failed to participate actively in politics, then they would lose the right to hold political leaders accountable, stressing that, Christians should not wait till the politicians got into office but should be active participants at the grassroots level and after the election of leaders.
“Most Africans …cannot hold leaders accountable or demand such a level of accountability. (Therefore),the Church has the responsibility to renew and restore the words of integrity and accountability into politics. Holding them accountable begins with ourselves being accountable within recognisable circles of accountability. If we are not accountable to anyone, we have no basis to hold political leaders accountable,” Rev Dr. Adeleye emphasized.
The event was organized by the Ghana Fellowship of Evangelical Students (GHAFES) in collaboration with Advocates for Christ Ghana (A4CG), ICI and the HuD-Group.
It was themed: “Redefining Contemporary Political Ethos in Ghana: The Place of Christ and His Church.”
GHALNETS is designed to make tailor-made discipleship and mentorship tools available to young people to better prepare the next generation towards catalytic national transformation.
Rev. Dr. Adeleye explained that the Church could make sure leaders account to the citizens by actively speaking out against the abuse of privilege and responsibility.
He advised Christians to proactively and actively participate in national affairs and discourses, stressing that, the Church had the responsibility to guard the moral fabric of political engagement both by her presence and participation.
Making reference to a quote by Plato, an Ancient Greek Philosopher: “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your Government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” Rev. Dr. Adeleye tasked Christians in political leadership to prioritise truth in the political space.
“Jesus calls those who follow Him to abide in the truth and bring it to bear on all spheres of life, including the political,” he said.
He said similar to Christian leadership, political leaders were to act as servants, thus, serving the nation for the common good of all citizens.
They were to also act as stewards, thereby appropriating resources with integrity and justice, and as shepherds by leading the nation by compassionate example.
“In this regard, the political leader seeks to serve as a servant, a steward of resources and a shepherd of people for the common good,” he said.
The Clergyman called on Ghanaians to prayerfully intercede for all aspiring to be leaders and for one another as responsible citizens, nothing that, “We should not underestimate the spiritual battle in the political space. It is not about human exchanges or disagreements but a battle for the very soul of the nation.”
A former Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, who chaired the event also advised the first batch of volunteer Evangelists of Christ to remain committed throughout the training period.
She further tasked them to be prayerful and give them wholly to the study of the Bible and practice the teachings.
The former Chief Justice added that, once God had called them out of the lot to be groomed, then indeed, He had good plans for them, as such, they should continue to rely on Him.
Some organizations including A4CG, ICI, HuD-Group and the Church of Pentecost commended GHAFES for its foresight and expressed their willingness to provide resources and expertise for the success of the training programme.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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