Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, says it is misguided to blame religious groups for the lack of discipline or rising corruption in the country, as they do not have the legal authority to enforce laws.
Reacting to public criticism suggesting that churches and other faith-based groups have failed to instil discipline in society, Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong clarified that the role of religious bodies is to promote moral education, not to enforce state laws.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Wednesday, July 2, he explained that while religious leaders play an important role in shaping values and promoting ethical conduct, the responsibility for enforcing discipline and combating wrongdoing rests squarely with state institutions.
“We need to consider seriously, that religious people don’t have legal backing. They can only admonish. When we go to church, your pastor can tell you, do this right, do that right, but the pastor doesn’t have the legal backing. We don’t enforce laws. So the churches can only do moral education, towards moral development, towards moral consciousness, conduct and behavior, privately and publicly. Law-enforcing agencies must do their work. Those who attend cabinet who make sure we are doing things right, must do things right. Our parliamentarians who are enacting laws must themselves be law-abiding,” he stressed.
Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong also highlighted the positive contributions faith-based groups have made in Ghana’s development, particularly in education, health, and human resource development, urging a fair assessment of their role.
His comments come in the wake of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, held on Tuesday, July 1, where thousands gathered at the forecourt of the State House in Accra to pray for peace, unity, and national development.
While acknowledging the importance of prayer, Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong maintained that Ghana’s transformation cannot be achieved through prayer alone without effective leadership, law enforcement, and public accountability.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
