SOLIDARITY MESSAGE DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE PLENARY SESSION HELD IN WA ON SATURDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER, 2021

My Lord, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, my Lord Bishops, all gathered, the priests and religious, and my fellow Christians, I am delighted to be part of this very important function at the invitation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. I would like to first of all express my warm gratitude and appreciation to the Conference for considering me worthy to be part of this spirit-filled programme. I congratulate the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for the unity and sustenance of the spiritual, social and moral growth of your followers and the church at large. The Catholic Church remains the biggest Christian sect in the country, and I am humbled to be a member of this well-nurtured Christian denomination.
I appreciate the comportment of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference and your approach in responding to national socio-economic and political issues. Mention should be made of the observation made a few days ago at the opening of this plenary session, where the President of the Conference, Most Reverend Philip Naameh, made insightful observations about the state of our country. It did not sit well with some people who feel that they have a greater stake in the affairs of the country.

Let me take this opportunity to remind my colleagues in politics that before party politics, there was religion. Politicians cannot be said to have a superior interested in the wellbeing of the citizens than religious and traditional leaders. It is therefore incumbent on us as politicians, to be measured in our responses to criticisms from significant groups in our society.

Had it not been for the complementary role played by most of these groups, especially the Catholic Church, in the provision of such social amenities as schools and hospitals, politics would not have made the desire impact in these areas and the state of education and health service delivery would have been worst than it is now. I challenge anyone to show me any Catholic School taken over by government, that has outdone the performance and achievement of the school when it was under the management of the church. Today, we have the temerity to respond to the Catholic church, as if they have no locus in reminding us of the mess we are creating as politicians!

It is said that humanity will have to repent, not for the wicked deeds of the few, but for the silence of the majority. A former President of the United States of America states that “hell should be reserved for those who sit on the fence in times of social crises”. My Lord Bishops, we are in crisis as a country, because the number of Ghanaians who can ill-afford a meal in days, and those wasting their lives through no fault of theirs are increasing by the day. This is as a result of a combination of failed policies and interventions, and lack of commitment by those whose responsibility it is to fix the issues confronting our country. Meanwhile, wealth and opulence are being displayed by a few greedy ones with their friends and family members.

My Lord Bishops, please use the pulpit to counsel and correct Mr. Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, if he is not conducting the affairs of Parliament in accordance with your expectations and the aspirations of the citizens. There is a reason why you are here today in cassocks but not in political suites. And you know the story of Joseph in the bible far better than I do: “And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you on the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance”

Genesis 45:7. There is a purpose for everyone here on earth, and we should not fear living that purpose to the fullest.

There are a lot of interesting things happening with the advent of technology and globalization and Human Rights. When one questions these, one is rather seen as funny! In the year 1983, the United Nations Assembly commissioned a team called the “Eminent World Leaders”, to review the Charter of the Millennium Development Goals. At the end of the review, the Eminent Leaders came out with a document called “Our Common Goal”, which emphasized SUS-TAI-NA-BI-LI-TY as the key word in our quest for global development and peace. Sustainability was anchored on three basic pillars, with the dictate that every nation must be conscious of activities that are socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally friendly, so as to sustain life both under the sea and above the land. This is what gave birth to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

QUESTION: How on earth can anybody justify the life sustainability of the activities of the so-called LGBTQ+? Meanwhile, when you talk, you are seen to be funny; because Alban Bagbin is a village boy from Sombo. As far as I am concerned, I have been properly brought up to respect nature, to respect the values, culture and tradition of my origins, and I will do everything within my means to sustain life and never attack God’s creation. We all need to work together for our common goal of sustainability!

My Lord Bishops, as you close your deliberations today, let us continue to assist one another in curbing the deteriorating spiritual and socio-economic state of this country. I urge you to continuously have the peace, stability and development of this country at heart. Pray for our political leaders for the Good Lord to guide and order their steps, to give us good direction for us to handle the affairs of this country without any unnecessary influence and interference.

On my part, I am committed to fighting for a social order that is free from tension and acrimony in this country, a social order of a country that respects and responds to the moral values of our society and cultures. I am therefore asking for your support and prayers as we forge together in unison for a deserving, comfortable life for our countrymen and women.
May the exemplary life of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference continue to be the light that shines on the life of all Christians, and may the Conference, in conjunction with other sister organisations and groups, be a rallying point that constantly reminds us of our sacred duty to mother Ghana as a people with a common destiny. I wish you all who have come from outside the diocese a safe journey back home, and may the Catholic Church continue to grow in leap and bounds!

May God bless us all!