The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged the church to speak out on issues of national concern.
He stated that the clergy and the church must be more active in national affairs.
In a speech delivered at an induction ceremony by the Apostolic Church-Ghana on Saturday, June 24, 2023, Mr Bagbin said that the church’s waning interest in national and political matters has a dire outcome on the country’s moral and social fibre.
“Over the years, a shortcoming that has severe consequences for our country’s moral fibre is the church’s waning interest in national or political matters.
“Please, the politicians are part of the flock. You can’t abandon them. We cannot continue to close our eyes, take a back seat and rely solely on your prayers as a replacement for discipline, hard work, and a sense of duty as patriotic citizens,” Mr Bagbin lamented.
The speaker acknowledged the power of prayer but said prayer without action was not enough.
“Those are defeatist attitudes. We need to be more proactive in addressing the challenges facing our country,” he noted.
He urged the church to use its influence to promote good governance, social justice, and economic development.
He also called on the church to speak out against corruption and other forms of injustice.
The induction ceremony was held at the Frafraha near Adentan to usher in national leaders of the Apostolic Church-Ghana into office.
Apostle Dr Aaron Ami-Narh, the president of the church, was ushered into office for the second term together with the church’s new vice president, Apostle Christopher Affum-Nyarko, and general secretary, Apostle Alex Boateng.
The trio were elected for their respective positions in March 2023.
Former president of the Apostolic Church-Ghana, Apostle Ebenezer Nsesa Abebrese, administered the oath of office and inducted the new officers into office.