The Christian Community has been advised to hold political leaders accountable.
They have been asked to do this not only after they (politicians) got into office but before, during and after their appointment.
“Most Africans …cannot hold leaders accountable or demand such level of accountability. (Therefore),the Church has the responsibility to renew and restore the words of integrity and accountability into politics.”
“Holding them accountable begins with ourselves being accountable within recognisable circles of accountability. If we are not accountable to anyone, we have no basis to hold political leaders accountable.”
The Reverend Dr. Femi Adeleye, Executive Director, Institute for Christian Impact (ICI), who gave the advice was speaking at the launch of the GHAFES Leadership Networks (GHALNETS) on Saturday in Accra.
The programme was organised by the Ghana Fellowship of Evangelical Students (GHAFES) in partnership with Advocates for Christ Ghana (A4CG), ICI and the HuD-Group.
It was themed: “Redefining Contemporary Political Ethos in Ghana: The Place of Christ and His Church.”
GHALNETS is designed to make tailor-made discipleship and mentorship tools available to young people to better prepare the next generation towards catalytic national transformation.
Rev. Dr. Adeleye said the Church could ensure accountability by actively speaking out against abuse of privilege and responsibility.
He advised Christians to proactively and actively participate in national affairs and discourses.
The Clergyman said the Church had the responsibility to guard the moral fabric of political engagement both by her presence and participation.
He referenced a quote by Plato, an Ancient Greek Philosopher: “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your Government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”
Rev. Dr. Adeleye urged Christians in political leadership to prioritise truth in the political space.
“Jesus calls those who follow Him to abide in the truth and bring it to bear on all spheres of life, including the political,” he said.
He said similar to Christian leadership, political leaders were to act as servants, thus, serving the nation for the common good of all citizens.
They were to also act as stewards, thereby appropriating resources with integrity and justice, and as shepherds by leading the nation by compassionate example.
“In this regard, the political leader seeks to serve as a servant, a steward of resources and a shepherd of people for the common good,” he said.
He called on Ghanaians to prayerfully intercede for all aspiring to be leaders and for one another as responsible citizens.
“We should not underestimate the spiritual battle in the political space. It is not about human exchanges or disagreements but a battle for the very soul of the nation.”
Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, a former Chief Justice and Chairperson for the occasion, advised the first batch of cohorts to be groomed to remain committed throughout the training period.
She advised them to be prayerful and give themselves wholly to the study of the Bible and practice the teachings.
Madam Wood said once God had called them out of the lot to be groomed, then indeed, He had good plans for them, as such, they should continue to rely on Him.
In solidarity messages, representatives from A4CG, ICI, HuD-Group and the Church of Pentecost lauded GHAFES for the foresight and stated their readiness to make resources and expertise available for the success of the training programme.