Christians of different denominations, professions and various interests are to assess the impact of political parties on Ghana’s democratic experience in light of the expectations of citizens and the constitutional obligations imposed on the state or government.
They will analyze the impact of political parties on various aspects of national life, including the church, the three branches of government, the public and private sectors, the media, and on citizens and national development.
Advocates of Christ Ghana (A4CG), the convenors of this forum are confident that these discussions will raise the level of accountability imposed on political parties and appointees, improve the quality of political party manifestos produced for the 2024 election season and will help influence the electorate to participate in 2024 evidence-based elections.
Development Professional, Anti-Corruption Campaigner and President of A4CG, Edem SENANU said
“The National Christian Forum (NCF23) and its theme for 2023, is charting a new and historic civil society course to improve the quality of our democratic experience in Ghana.”
“There is an emerging call for governments to start engaging more strategically with religious and cultural leaders and constituencies to work together and support some targeted development and behavioral changes.”
The NCF is a step in this direction, creating the platform for such a meaningful and sustainable dialogue to exist between our state and the church and enabling the government to tap into the rich human, intellectual and spiritual resources of the Christian community – which are the 71.3% of the population? to shape the nation’s development agenda and also to deepen the response of the Christian community to the responsibilities of the citizen as active development partnersβ.
The 2023 edition of the National Christian Forum, for the fourth consecutive year, will focus on what has worked in relation to the impact of Political Parties on national development and what needs to be done differently in the future.
The intention is to distill a set of recommendations for the attention and caution of political parties, which organizers expect will be reflected in political party manifestos, comments, commitments and actions as they engage the nation in 2024 and beyond.
As part of preparations for the upcoming NCF2023, a pre-forum webinar was held on Tuesday 14 November 2023 with speakers including: Prof. Karunti Kanyinga – Director of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Nairobi, Dr. Esther Offei-Aboagye – former Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies – Ghana & Development Consultant, Dr. Oscar Otelle – Researcher and Lecturer – University of Nairobi and Rev. Dr. John Kpikpi – Senior Pastor of City of God Church.
They raised several critical issues including:
- On average, 75% of Africans agree or strongly agree that their leaders should be chosen through regular, open and honest elections. (Dr. Oscar Otelle, University of Nairobi based on afrobarometer data)
- 80% of Ghanaians believe that elections in Ghana are capable of removing dysfunctional leaders (Dr. Oscar Otelle, University of Nairobi based on Afrobarometer data)
- Data across the continent show that democracy in Africa is not delivering the lives citizens want to live. (Prof. Karunti Kanyinga, University of Nairobi based on afrobarometer data)
- There has been a significant decline in data on levels of satisfaction with the way democracy works in Africa over the last decade from around 50% satisfaction to an average of 39%. (Prof. Karunti Kanyinga, University of Nairobi based on afrobarometer data)
- Key drivers of growing discontent are the government’s performance related to the economy, living standards, job creation, the income gap and price stability. (Prof. Karunti Kanyinga, University of Nairobi based on afrobarometer data)
- When asked – “Would you say the country is going in the wrong direction or in the right direction? Just 11% of Ghanaians said in the right direction. (Prof. Karunti Kanyinga, University of Nairobi based on Afrobarometer 2021 data /2023)
- God is speaking to the church in Ghana to get out of its cozy space and solve problems in society (Arch. Dr John Kpikpi – Senior Pastor of the City of God Church)
β’ Christians should not be afraid to vote with their conscience (Dr. Esther Offei-Aboagye, former ILGS Director & Development Consultant)
The National Christian Forum 2023, begins this Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Action Chapel Spintex Road Accra and continues on Friday 17th November 2023 4:30pm. @ the Ridge – Wesley Towers behind the British Council and ends Saturday 18 November 2023 9am. @ Ridge Wesley Towers behind the British Council.
Distinguished speakers and expert debaters include: Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Reverend Dr. Paul Boafo, Professor Atsu Aryee of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Ghana Dr Fred Deegbe, Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye, Mr. George Prah – former President, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship Int, Bernard Avle and many more!
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