Political scientist challenges political religious leaders to resign


A Political Scientist and Governance Expert, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae has challenged religious leaders who want to meddle in politics to resign their positions. 

He said religious leaders are mandated to provide spiritual and moral guidance and training to the masses including politicians.
 
Speaking on GBC's Current Affairs Program, "Talking Point", Dr. Oduro Osae said a religious head who decides to speak on politics must do so from a neutral point to put politicians on the right moral path.

Dr. Oduro Osae said, religious leaders have the right and obligation to speak out on political issues if they have received a direct message from God.

He advised them to pray about their message and assess the political environment first before coming out with the message.

The Governance Expert said it is right for religious leaders to talk about the economy when it is not going right. He said if the economy fails, it affects members of the church and it has a direct bearing on the growth of the religious group.

For his part the spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, said for religious leaders to be able to correct the ills of society, they must have the ability to comment on matters of importance. 

He said religion can take a central position in the country's political dispensation. 

He called for the restoration of decency in politics, through the infusion of morality and ethics in the day - to -day activities of political actors.

He intimated that both the church and the mosque will need to assume a certain force to be able to counteract the dominant evil forces breaking religious barriers.

A former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Aboagye Mensah said there is no sharp dichotomy between religion and politics. 

He said whatever one does as a Ghanaian, God takes a centre stage irrespective of one’s religious affiliation. 

He said Islam and Christianity teach ethical issues and that democracy as an institution comes with morality.

GBC