The Legal Officer of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Kojo Asante has urged the former President of the Methodist Church to apologise for what he says were “needless” political comments the man of God made over the week end.
Rev Samuel Asante Antwi criticised the Mills administration for allegedly running down the economy and failing to continue good policies initiated by the erstwhile Kufuor administration.
He also bemoaned the thuggery and acts of indiscipline by foot soldiers of the ruling party and urged the electorate to vote the New Patriotic Party in power in the 2012 elections.
He made the comments at a thanksgiving ceremony to mark a successful election of the New Patriotic Party which elected Nana Akufo-Addo as the party's presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.
He has since come under a barrage of criticism. Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described the comments as “unfortunate.”
In an interview with Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah on Monday Mr. Kojo Asante also said the comments were "inappropriate."
He said the partisan comments by Rev Asante Antwi reduces the chances of conflict resolution given that the position he occupies offers the platform for all shades of political opinions to solve their differences.
Once that mediation role by church leaders is compromised, Mr. Asante believes the country's political landscape will be in trouble.
He said Rev Asante Antwi could have made the same statements he made without identifying himself with one political party or the other.
Describing the statements as “needless” the CDD Legal Officer urged the Rev minister to apologize for the comments.
General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Fred Deegbe also believes his compatriot "went too far with his comments."
Even though he admitted that some of the issues raised by Rev Asante Antwi were pertinent and of grave concern to the Christian Council he did not think the platform on which the priest raised his concerns was inappropriate.
On whether Rev Asante Antwi should apologise for his comments, Rev Deegbe said it is within his rights to or not to apologise adding, he (Rev Antwi) will do as appropriate after a thorough assessment of his own comments.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
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