Presbyterian Church does not support any political party – Martey

The outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey has dismissed suggestions that the church supports a political party.

According to him, the church does not and will never support any political party.

Speaking to Joy News’ Maxwell Agbagba, the Moderator indicated that, “the presbyterian church of Ghana does not belong to any party and does not support any party.”

Rev. Martey’s comment is in reaction to criticisms that he has come under after he declared the church’s support for the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This was after the presidential candidate sought the support of the church during its 16th General Assembly.

In a response to the request, the Moderator said “we are taking this seriously. For us, as a church, the Presbyterian Church is the oldest, existing church in this country. We will not sit down for newer churches and political parties to come and mess up our country."

“We will keep on praying for you, and for calling the Presbyterian Church into partnership, we will partner you to build Ghana… Nana , I wish you well. Your seriousness and experience. You have said you’re a Christian, so stay in your faith and you will be an overcomer,” he told Nana Addo during the event.

Photo: Rev. Martey in a handshake with Nana Akufo-Addo (in white attire)

This response has not gone down well with many who believe the Moderator is doing the bidding of the opposition party.

Some have even accused him of being a member of the NPP, but Rev. Martey denies this.

“We have seen governments over governments and the Presbyterian church at the moment is partnering the NDC government in the governance of our nation," he said.

“We have partnered all governments in the Fourth Republic. The church will partner every government that comes. So if the leadership of an opposition party comes and asks for our partnership we will support them,” he continued.

The Moderator stressed that there is no way he will sell his conscience to any political party, and the church is only playing its role as mandated.

For him, anyone who believes that he is supporting or is a member of any political party is “mentally retarded”, because “this is not done anywhere.”

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa | [email protected]