Faith-based organisations and religious groups across the country have been urged to pray steadfastly and prioritise peace messages in their sermons ahead of the 2024 general elections in the country.
Mr. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the deputy minister of health and member of parliament for the Akim Oda constituency, made the call.
He stated that everyone had a duty to promote peace in advance of the parliamentary and presidential polls on December 7 in order to ensure that the nation would remain peaceful and cohesive after the elections.
On Sunday, June 9, 2024, Mr. Akwasi Acquah gave the speech in reverence of the 50th anniversary of the Church of the Lord-Brotherhood of Akyem Oda District at the church premises (Brotherhood Temple Akyem Oda).
He noted that previous election records indicated that the nation’s religious organisations’ prayers for a peaceful election had a favourable effect on the outcome and urged them to continue offering these crucial prayers.
According to Mr. Akwasi Acquah, it was the collective responsibility of Christians and other religious organisations to actively take part in peacebuilding campaigns to help sustain the peace and stability of the nation.
Thus, he took advantage of the occasion to share with the congregations the message of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 flagbearer.
He stated that the church ought to pray for Dr. Bawumia to be the next president of Ghana because he has a track record of accomplishments and a vision to transform the country.
He added that the many infrastructural projects commenced by the Akufo-Addo government shall be continued and completed under Dr. Bawumia, while other life-changing social intervention policies initiated shall also be protected to bring relief to the citizenry.
Speaking on the achievements of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Akwasi Acquah said Dr. Bawumia has discharged the duties imposed on him as Vice President creditably.
Dr. Bawumia, as Vice President, he said, superintended the digitalization of the country, resulting in a “No Guarantor System for Student Loan Applications,” the introduction of a medical drone delivery system, digitising the operations of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), helping to reduce fraudulent claims, and eliminating bottlenecks associated with the enrollment and renewal of National Health Insurance membership, thus increasing access to health care by those who need the services most, among other feats.
He indicated that the vision of Dr. Bawumia that has made life comfortable for Ghanaians would be brought to bear under his presidency to transform Ghana.
In order to advocate for additional development initiatives for his constituents, he further stated that it is imperative that his government continue to hold power.
“There is the need for the citizens to avoid filthy talks, lies, insinuations and verbal attacks that could spark conflict among the people. It is only an act of vigilance that could help prevent potential triggers of violence in communities,” he said.
He stressed the need for political activists to desist from the use of vulgar and insulting language against their opponents, saying that could create violent situations in the communities.
Mr. Emmanuel Koranteng, the general warden and church administrator, expressed concern about the label “illuminated church” that some people have tagged on the Church of the Lord-Brotherhood.
He emphasised that the church is not illuminated or acoustically-based since they share the same beliefs and use the same liturgy as other churches, including Pentecostal, Methodist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and so forth.
