The Christian Council of Ghana has defended its decision to comment publicly on governance and national issues, insisting that speaking truthfully on matters affecting the country does not amount to political partisanship.
Speaking on PM Express with Evans Mensah, the General Secretary of the Council, Rev. Cyril Fayose, said the organisation remains careful to maintain neutrality in representing church members with different political beliefs.
He explained that the Christian Council’s member churches are committed to being non-partisan in their engagements with congregants and the wider public.
“Because the members of our congregations belong to all the parties, as a leader of people from diverse party affiliations, you must respect their sensibilities,” he stated.
However, he stressed that neutrality should not be mistaken for silence, especially when important national matters are at stake.
“But that is not to say that we should not make comments on political happenings in our country without the fear that we will be branded as belonging to one party or the other,” he said.
“No, we have to say it as it is.”
His comments come at a time when faith-based organisations in Ghana are increasingly weighing in on issues such as economic hardship, elections, corruption, and leadership accountability. Critics have argued that such interventions could blur the line between moral leadership and political activism.
Rev. Fayose rejected that view, saying the Council’s statements are motivated by civic duty rather than political interest.
Referring to democratic values, he said all citizens have a responsibility to contribute to national discussions.
“We have described democracy in our local language as ‘Kabi na menka bi,’ to wit ‘Everyone must have their freedom of speech,’ so we all have the right to speak,” he said.
He also referenced former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s often-quoted call for citizens to be active participants in national development.
“Our former president is famously quoted as saying that we should be citizens and not spectators, and that’s all we are doing,” Rev. Fayose added.
He further clarified that the Christian Council is not campaigning for or endorsing any political party.
“We are not going out to declare our support for a particular party or a particular party’s position,” he said.
Instead, he said the Council sees its role as helping to ensure good governance through constructive criticism and engagement.
“We are out there to help comment on the actions of our leaders so that together, we’ll have a better country,” he concluded.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
