Promise what you can deliver – Palmer Buckle cautions politicians
Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, has cautioned politicians who are crisscrossing the country and soliciting votes from Ghanaians to promise what they can really deliver.
The Archbishop could not comprehend why most politicians who even claim to be Christians would not be faithful and campaign on what they could deliver but rather choose to deceive people for votes.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle has, therefore, called on Ghanaians, especially Christians to listen carefully to the campaign promises from politicians and prepare very well by praying so that the Holy Spirit would direct them in making the right choice come November.
“It is a noble and God-given responsibility as Christians to make sure that our country develops. I will, therefore, urge all Christians to go out in their numbers on November 7 to cast their votes. But they should listen carefully to all the contestants to make informed decisions”, he added.
The Archbishop stated this in an interview with Joy News after delivering a public lecture to commemorate the 50th Anniversary and the launch of the Jubilee Charity Project of the Knights of St. John International of the Star of The Sea Catholic Church in Takoradi.
Palmer-Buckle also implored on politicians and other social commentators not to utter words, either on radio or any public gathering that has the tendency to derail the peaceful coexistence of Ghanaians before, during and after this year’s general elections.
He cautioned Ghanaian voters not to cast their ballots for people because they belonged to the same tribe or political parties, but people who have their developments at heart and are poised to serve the people.
The Archbishop bemoaned the fact that most Christians refused to venture into politics because of the incessant insults that were rained on people who enter into politics.
“I think it is about time the political parties gave us Christians the public space for us to be able to express our views on certain government policies without being branded as being a member of any political party”, he stressed.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area who chaired the programme commended Catholic Bishops for always commenting and making suggestions on certain government initiatives and policies that affect the people at their annual Bishops’ conferences.
He was not happy that though Ghana had celebrated its 59th Independence anniversary, the country had little to show for the past 59 years adding “Now let us ask ourselves what have we achieved and where are our leaders taking us to”.
The Star of the Sea Commandery No. 397 of Knights of St John International has therefore been actively involved in charity programmes.
To mark the 50th anniversary, Commandery is embarking a Computer Laboratory Project which would benefit the catchment communities at a cost of ¢50,000.00.
Lt. Kingsley Bogya, President of Commandery No. 397, Takoradi explained that the Knights had adopted the Computer Laboratory project as the Jubilee Charity project with support from Ladies’ Auxiliary No. 330.
He added that the project, which would mainly be for students of Bishop Essuah School Complex in Takoradi, would help enhance the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kobina Okyere Darko Mensah, pledged to provide some computers for the Center.
The Knights of St. John International, Takoradi was inaugurated on December 16, 1966, with the aim of supporting the Catholic Church and the communities.