Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has raised concerns over the absence of a clergyman on Ghana’s Council of State, stressing the need for religious representation in the country’s governance structure.
Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV with Lilly Mohammed, Rev. Fordjour highlighted the historical precedent of clergy members serving on the Council and questioned why President John Dramani Mahama had not appointed a single religious leader among his 11 selected members.
“It is important to have a clergyman on the Council of State,” he stated, emphasizing that past administrations had always included respected clergy members. He cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s appointment of Rev. Prof. Sante Antwi, President John Evans Atta Mills’ selection of Rev. Dr. Nii Amo Darku, and President Nana Akufo-Addo’s choice of Bishop Justice Akrofi as examples.
Rev. Fordjour also pointed out the Christian community’s strong involvement in the 2024 elections, noting that for the first time, senior bishops, reverend professors, general overseers, and other religious leaders publicly endorsed a presidential candidate, prayed for him, and held a Thanksgiving service after his victory. Despite this support, he argued, they had been sidelined in key governance decisions.
“They may not come out openly to say it, but just count through the messages they have been preaching in the past two weeks, and you will understand their pain,” he said, suggesting that many pastors feel betrayed and disappointed by the exclusion.
He further stated that he was certain Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would not have turned his back on the clergy if he had been in the same position.
