Ghana although a secular state as per the constitution, is peopled by a highly religious demography her citizens holding their faith leaders in high esteem.
These leaders are expected to live above board and to refrain from matters which have the tendency to expose them to public opprobrium.
Often described as ‘Men Of God’ they command respect in society, a feature stretching back to the early days of Christianity when the missionaries set foot here to spread the Gospel.
It is for this reason that when pastors or persons associated with the church breach moral standards they attract media attention and put on the spot.
Under normal circumstances they should not be found engaging in partisan politics. This way they are deservedly spared the usual polemics reserved for actors in this enterprise.
In our mercantile setting driven by an obsession for material gratification things are changing or changed and regrettably so as persons expected to steer clear of political posturing do so with reckless abandon.
It is no longer unusual for leaders of especially some charismatic churches to be put on the spot because they have been found wanting in maintaining their respect through unguarded utterances, actions and even associations.
Why should a Man of God with a sizable number of congregants in his church encourage the President to breach the constitution? The answer lies in that person’s obsession with winning the heart of the President so he would be considered for material favours. Period.
A few weeks ago Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah was quoted as encouraging President John Dramani Mahama to consider going for a third term as the Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Ghana.
His reason: the president has performed excellently and besides there is no Ghanaian who can steer the ship of state as well as he has. Well-meaning Ghanaians were expectedly taken aback upon hearing the mischievous admonition to the President.
For want of a better expression and in order to avoid an intemperate language we would hasten to state only that the pastor went too far.
He should be mindful about how he undertakes his bootlicking project because it has the potential of exposing his underbelly for public flak.
President John Mahama being a smart guy should have 8read between the lines and seen in his guest a bootlicker interested in satisfying his individual material desires.
Rev Owusu Bempah is by this leader being reminded about the negative repercussions which from unguarded and avoidable utterances and even prophecies.
Could the Rev’s wish for a third term for the President be borne out of his hatred for the NPP? All who want the constitution especially as it pertains to the two-term limit do not wish the country well including the Man Of God under review.
