ELECTIONS AND RELIGIOUS MODERATION

 This article begins with a quote which I posted on my WhatsApp status: “Politics has, is and will always be about interests and choices.” The article also aligns with an article I published on the subject “Our Independence and the Religious Leadership”, which was part of a series of articles I published to commemorate Ghana’s 67^th Independence celebration.

To start with, the book of Daniel Chapter 5 versus 25 & 32 read: "...till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” (KJV). Often than not, people consider politics as dirty game to the extent that it has nothing to do with God. In this view, religious leaders should not involve themselves in political discourses because of its consequential effect – negative. Whilst this may be a worthy advise, it is not the truth because there is no debate that God has a direct say in the political discourse of every nation. Also, the religious leaders in question are directly and/or indirectly affected by political decisions and actions.

What is politics? Politics is about decision making to favour some people. Every political choice could make someone else better or worse (the pareto effect), whether positively or negatively. Religious leaders and their disciples form a very large constituency in the political ecosystem. More so, as ambassadors of God here on earth, they must make His intentions and wills known to men in every possible way, including politics.

It is also erroneous to think that religious leaders exert influence only in African politics. This is far from the truth and reality. The intersection between matters of faith and politics is something very complicated and difficult to explain. However, religious leaders wield lots of influence in every jurisdiction, and so have some level of control and influence in political undertakings. This is as a result of the referent or expert power they possess. Their level of influence, for some, go beyond their congregations to across regional, national and continental boarders. Their influence also cuts across different social strata - children, the youth, the aged, women, men, affluent and the low class. 

How did we perceive religious leaders? Growing up, religious leaders were highly recognised in their immediate communities. They were revered and supported by their communities because their profession was considered highly noble. They were the first point of call for advice and dispute resolution in such communities. Because they were regarded impassionate, truthful and unbiased, members of the community relied on their advice and wisdom. They were able to solve teething problems in their societies and averted calamities and tensions. They upheld the tenets of their vocation above any level of recognition, wealth or material gain. In sum, they were pious.

How did religious leaders become actively involved in the political space? In Ghana, the transition from military rule under former and late President, Jerry John Rawlings, was fought by the clergy through prayer, sharp rebuke and direct preaching against the then government. Vigil upon vigils were conducted to seek the face of God for peaceful transitions, and change of power from the then Flt. Lt. J. J. Rawlings. The reason for this seemingly attack was the perceived inhumane practices meted to citizens and the dislike for religious truth. The case of the late prophet Francis Amoako and several others were always basis to attack the then government. But from religious-political philosophy, socialists, to which the then J. J. Rawlings was, conduct their political affairs at variance with religious considerations. To put it blatantly, socialists dislike religion in their political thought. It does not mean they do not respect freedom of religion. Whilst Rawlings was perceived to be such, the opposition NPP among others, courted the religious leaders of the day. Now, Rev. Dr Kwabena Darko, of Darko farms even formed a political party to mobilise the Christians to kick out Rawlings in the 1992 elections. As a result, the NPP together with other parties formed a strong alliance that became the largest opposition group. Although they did not win the election, they enjoyed the favour of most of the clergy.

How did we get here? Fast forward, election of year 2000 was embraced with massive religious support. This time, through music and other prayer vigils and campaigns. Eventually, Former President John Agyekum Kuffour won with great inspiration from Cindy Thompson’s “Awurade Kasa” song. This was great religious moderation. Christian songs became dominant at political rallies and pastors were given prayer roles in these rallies. In spite of such achievement, no single religious leader (Prophet) openly claimed to have led the way for the victory of Kuffour. However, Ghanaians have seen the visible interventions of the clergy since then. They have been appealed to, lobbied and appointed to some committees and commissions established by various governments. The clergy has also publicly declared their interventions in getting some of the political leaders elected at parliamentary and presidential levels. By 2008, the political leaders visibly and secretly engaged the services of religious leaders. They travelled far and near to meet such religious leaders both in Ghana and abroad. This is religious moderation.

How are the clergy conducting themselves? The clerical role has transcended mere prayers, prophecies and advises to the point of open competitions and contentions to see ‘who is who’ to get a certain political leader elected. It has become antagonistic to the point of turning into intra-religious fight. All this while, it has always been one sided challenge. Obviously, it was because it had always been ‘Christian’ presidential candidates. But the election of 2024 takes a different twist as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the NPP, contests as the first Muslim to run for presidential election in an over 70% Christian dominated country. Intriguingly, John the Baptist participated in the governance of the day through strong preaching that attacked the evil practices at the time. These evil practices were not limited to the “publicans”, but also, the religious leaders.  What do we see now? The church has criss-crossed moderation to mediation – another channel through which politicians can win elections.

Where are we now? Unfortunately, the religious battle has now taken a new dimension – inter-religious. Various religious clerics are rooting for various candidates based on religious affiliations. Media reports are replete with religious campaigns. Whilst this rage, the political landscape is being shaped. Some political leaders, researchers and political analysts are kicking against the role of religion in determining election outcomes. Whilst they do not justify how it is that from different polls administered to the same Ghanaians, different research groups report different outcomes. Rather, they question how the same God can give different direction to different prophets. One thing is not in doubt. The painful truth is that religion plays a moderating (intervening) role in elections. What I cannot admit at this stage is the level and direction of influence in determining the outcome of elections.

Is everything alright? The political actors can discern the role of the clergy whether directly or indirectly. They continue to appeal to religious leaders, solicit their support and request prayers. Some presidential aspirants have organized religious confabs to outline their policies and pledge their allegiance to uphold the fight against LGBTQ+ issues in the country. The clerics have become more interested in prophesying election victory than preaching repentance and salvation. I think this is an unholy marriage that will eventually paralyse the church. Christian leaders should BEWARE! They have become political conduit to serve the interests of the political class. SAD!

How should God’s servants behave? Biblically speaking, prophecy is a form of preaching because it is hinged on sharing the mind of God for the people. But almost every time God’s servants were sent to the political leaders (kings and governors), it was to rebuke their evil doings and/or call them to repentance. Those who refused to repent, perished. What is mind boggling is that these prophets who were sent to the political actors of the day did so without malice. They had nothing to gain and nothing to lose whether these leaders accepted their prophecies or not. Why? God sent them. God takes the glory, God takes the shame, whatever it was. The context of God relaying message to the Kings of Israel should not be misconstrued as a practice for every politIcal leader. Even though God had a good message for some “hidden” kings, He was not part of their appointments as it is the case in Ghana. Because Christian leaders are courting the political leadership, we cannot speak God’s Word like the late Francis Amoako, Evangelist Morgan and others. We are even building church facilities with lofty monetary donations from the political leaders. Result? Coccidological church, darkened with lantern beams on a hill top. No repentance in the church and stiff-necked nation because the ministers have become empty-barrels. However, “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers And the decision is a command of the holy ones, So that the living may know [without any doubt] That the Most High [God] rules over the kingdom of mankind And He bestows it on whomever He desires And sets over it the humblest and lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17, AMP). Religion plays a role.

What is the new twist? The debate on the moderating role of religion in the political governance and elections in Ghana have been geared to a crescendo with the presidential candidature of Dr Bawumia, a Muslim. The debate is no more between prophets, apostles, pastors and evangelists as it used to be. The new contention is whether or not Ghanaians (the Christians) will accept to vote on prophetic instructions or religions sectionalism (Christian – Muslim lines). Sad to say, some political front liners decide to kick against the role of religion. Although they have benefited from various prophecies and prayers at different stages of the political selection processes, they turn against prophecies when the prophecies are at variance with their expectations. Unfortunately, this cannot deny the fact that religion has taken center-stage in elections and political governance in Ghana, and this will continue into the foreseeable future.

What should religious leaders do? Religious discourse, Word of God, prophecies are integral part of politics anywhere and everywhere. Over the last 10 years, the issue of annual prophetic crusades and campaigns have become dominant and engaging. Ghana's IGP tried to curtail such prophecies under the law of causing fear and panic. But response to prophecies, like teachings and preaching, can believed or not, and accepted or rejected. There is no point in curtailing prophecies under the disguise of causing fear and panic. My experience as Christian and someone who spend time to actively pray for national leadership, no one who sincerely pray for national leadership will say anything against any national leader with hate. The principle is that “the just shall live by faith” not by any policies of any regime. Hate, bitter and insulting prophecies have no place in true Biblical prophecies.

Should religious leaders take sides? The answer is not farfetched. They are members of the society and affected by the political interactions. Unfortunately, religious leaders taut their influence over the political class to the point of claiming they brought some political leaders into power through their prophecies and prayers. We are made to believe that some of these clergy play defacto roles in national governance of the country. It implies that some of the religious leaders are seriously courting the political leadership. They have accepted paid appointments and are actively seen defending certain political decisions. Should we therefore ascribe the chaos, corruption, economic downturn and success to such leaders?

Be that as it may, the power and influence of religious invocations have been given impetus by the political leaders who secretly and openly consult these religious leaders. But it's reasonable because these religious sects represent a very large constituency. Any serious political group that chooses to neglect these religious groups commits political suicide. So, religion plays a moderation role in elections and national leadership.

 

Dr Affum, EK

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