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Crime and immorality would be worse without the Church – Mahama

President John Mahama has addressed growing concerns over the increasing levels of crime and immorality in Ghana, even though over 90% of the population identifies as religious.

He emphasised that while these issues remain a challenge, the presence of the Church has played a significant role in curbing them, arguing that the situation could be far worse without its moral influence.

Speaking to the clergy in Kumasi on Sunday, President Mahama refuted claims that religion has failed to shape moral values in the country.

He asserted that, contrary to such arguments, the Church has been instrumental in guiding society.

“There is an often-heard argument that while more than 90% of Ghanaians profess to be persons of faith, immorality and crime are on the rise. My answer to those who make this argument is that the situation would probably have been far worse if there were no Church,” he remarked.

He further explained that the Church serves as a moral compass, shaping the behaviour of individuals and communities. Without its presence, he warned, society would risk plunging into chaos.

“Imagine a scenario where there was no Church, and people could act without any moral restraint. The situation would undoubtedly be worse. The churches are doing their best, and their efforts must be acknowledged,” he added.

President Mahama also stressed the importance of unity among Christian denominations, cautioning that divisions within the Church diminish its influence.

He noted that a fractured Christian community weakens the collective voice of faith leaders in addressing national issues.

“It is essential to emphasise the importance of fostering unity among Christian denominations. A divided Church weakens its impact,” he stated

He concluded by urging churches to work together in promoting national development and moral discipline.

“But a united Church can transform society. Let us work together to build a vibrant and influential Christian community that speaks with one voice on issues of national development,” he said, reinforcing his call for cooperation among religious bodies.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

News

Committee probing petitions against Chief Justice to begin hearings tomorrow

The Committee set up by President John Dramani Mahama to inquire into three petitions filec against the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, will commence hearings tomorrow, Thursday May 15, 2025.

The five-member Committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang of the Supreme Court, was set up by the President in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, following a determination of a prima facie case against the Chief Justice.

The committee will sit three times a week and present their recommendations to the President upon completion of their work.

It would be recalled that President John Dramani Mahama recently suspended Chief Justice following the establishment of a prima facie case in response to three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.

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38-year-old man gets life imprisonment for killing Assemblies of God pastor in 2018

After close to seven years of trial, a seven-member jury on Wednesday, May 14, returned a guilty verdict in the murder case involving the killing of the Senior Pastor of the Central Assemblies of God church at Tema in 2018.

The convict, Francis Nabegmado, a relative of the deceased, inflicted a fatal knife wound on Rev. Dr. David Nabegmado on December 30, 2018, after alleging that the senior pastor was a false preacher who engaged in idol worship and human sacrifices.

After an hour of summing up by the judge, Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, the jury retired briefly and returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.

Based on the unanimous verdict of the jurors who had previously studied the statements of the five witnesses called by the prosecution, and listened to the summing up process, the judge sentenced the 38-year-old to life imprisonment.

When he was offered an opportunity to comment on the verdict, the convict told the judge that he wanted to go home to meet his family.

“My Lady, I want to see my family, and I want to be taken to Yendi”.

When the judge told him she couldn’t make such an order for him to go and see his family in Yendi, the convict forcefully said, “I insist”.

Francis, who will now spend the rest of his life at the Nsawam medium security prison, had told the court throughout the trial that the decision to attack his uncle, Rev. Nebegmado, was driven by insanity, but that did not save him from receiving a life sentence.

Speaking briefly after the sentencing, Senior Pastor of the Assemblies of God church at Tema Community 4, Rev. Emmanuel Kwesi Ofori, said the church has been waiting for this closure for the past seven years and will soon issue an official statement.

Source: Myjoyonline.com