Focus on Human Values, Not Polarizing Issues, Methodist Bishop to Ghanaians

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has urged Ghanaians to prioritize human values over divisive issues. Speaking at the Center for Democratic Development’s (CDD) 19th “Kronti Ne Akwamu” Lecture, he encouraged the nation to shift its focus from contentious debates, such as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to more pressing needs, including food, housing, and education.

“Many Ghanaians are more concerned with basic survival than with divisive arguments,” he emphasized, urging the public to give less attention to needless issues. While reiterating his opposition to homosexuality, Rev. Asamoah-Gyadu highlighted the importance of fostering values of integrity and truth, which align with the country’s aspirations for unity and peace.

The Bishop also spoke out against election-related prophecies, warning that such declarations distract from democracy’s core purpose. He advised voters to seek leaders with vision and integrity and called on religious figures to respect democratic principles and citizens’ autonomy.

Keynote speaker Emeritus Prof. Jeffrey Haynes of London Metropolitan University echoed these sentiments, noting Ghana’s challenges in balancing religious influence with democratic values, especially concerning freedoms and equality.

Both speakers called for Ghanaians to focus on values that sustain democracy, stressing that constructive, value-based actions would drive the nation forward. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu underscored the risks of prophetic endorsements in politics, questioning the intentions behind such predictions and reaffirming the need for citizens to make independent, informed choices.

Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh