Use verdict as opportunity to unite nation
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The Moderator of the Church, Rt Rev Dr Edem K. Tettey, who made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the country needed to eschew political acrimony and concentrate on development.
On that premise, he urged the leadership of the Christian community to demonstrate neutrality.
“We call on all fellow leaders of the Church of Christ in Ghana to demonstrate neutrality in national politics to qualify to be true peace makers.”
He said it was only when the leaders conducted themselves in that manner that all sides of the political divide could “listen to us and trust the messages we give them.”
He said while it was understandable that Christians were bound to have some sort of affiliations with political parties, it was important not to allow that to inform their allegiance to the kingdom of God.
“If you are praying for your party to win do it privately and not in public because you must remember that there are Christians in all political parties,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on December 28, 2012 filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the results of the 2012 elections in which President John Dramani was elected winner on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
It has taken the court eight months to work its way through the petition. On August 29, 2013, the court dismissed the petition and validated the election of President Mahama.
While paying glowing tribute to the Supreme Court for keeping sanity in the country’s body politics, he urged all Ghanaians to respect the verdict of the court.
Within minutes of the ruling the flagbearer of the NPP in the 2012 elections accepted the verdict and urged all the parties’ supporters and do same.
That, the Moerator said was highly commendable.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has demonstrated a high sense of maturity which is hardly exhibited by politicians on the continent,” he said.
With the election pettion now history, he urged Ghanaians to support the goverment to deliver its mandate.
“Let us all join forces to develop our country. That is all elections and selection of leaders is about,” he added.
By Seth J. Bokpe/Daily Graphic/Ghana