As recently as last week, the newly created office of the Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations put forth the directive that henceforth, all prophecies meant for the attention of government should be routed to a dedicated WhatsApp number/email address for scrutiny. This, according to the Envoy, is aimed at sifting through for verification and follow up.
This office is not new. I have encountered officials in the past who were assigned specific schedules, for example, Liaison Officer for Islamic Affairs, Liaison for Christian Affairs. These were not announced but they performed the functions without fanfare.
As with everything government, naturally, reactions have poured in from all corners since this office was made public. Some support the directive but many more seem more worried about the messenger.
In the eyes of critics, the Envoy does not possess the spiritual gravitas necessary for the office. So, how dare he put himself up in a position to scrutinize prophecies of ‘Men of God?’ What spiritual pedigree has he to perform the task he is arrogating to himself?
A few have resorted to the 1992 Constitution which directs The Republic to operate as a SECULAR state. Therefore the question that arises is, what business has government to appoint an Envoy for religious affairs in a secular state, and go further to entertain prophecies of whatever nature.
Apostles of secularism insist that if government business becomes dependent on superstition of any kind, instead of being science based, then the Republic is not gearing up for progress and development.
It does not matter much that The Supreme Court of Ghana once dismissed a challenge to uphold this same constitutional order to keep the state a secular one.
In that process, the state was enabled to sink millions of United States dollars into beginning the process of construction of a national cathedral.
A cathedral embodies all the symbolism of superstition, but opposition to it was notable not for it being based on superstition.
Many people’s view of government business does not contemplate the pressure exerted by faith based/spiritual/superstitious partisans on our governments.
However, from experience, the Presidency is inundated with packs of correspondence from everywhere on a regular basis. Many people write to convey messages bordering on the spiritual and/or prophetic. It does not end there. Many have access to the phone numbers of some officials close to the ultimate target, the President.
Our society is still highly superstitious or, if you like, spiritual. If in doubt, just look around your neighborhood, do a count of churches, mosques, shrines, etc that you find around you. How many have appeared in the last few years?
While as a nation we would prefer our governance to be guided more by scientific and rational considerations, the preponderance of the people’s spiritual inclination makes it indispensable to be so guided.
So, here we are, where a rational government of the people must be seen to accommodate the superstitious and faith based majority of the population.
Like it or not, the people are so inclined and a government elected by the same people must be seen to meet the aspirations of the people.
Any wonder the government has formally created this office that centralizes and, also importantly, opens an official avenue for those who have prophecies to share with government. Let’s note also that this same function has been performed by many officials in the past, without the formality of an official title.
Written by Amb. Kwame Tenkorang, Teshie/Nungua
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
