Dr. Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) says he has not conceived any idea of stepping beyond the pulpit to mount a political platform.
Pastor Otabil has over the years carved a niche for himself as a consistent development-oriented motivator and preacher of the Gospel of Christ.
Nevertheless, what many have claimed as inspiring and forward-looking words, same have attracted, if you like, some adversaries who see in him a politician and try to paint him in political colours – they argue largely that his words have political connotations favouring a political grouping.
However, in response to a texter during an exclusive interview with sit-in-host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Nortey Dua on Tuesday, Dr Mensa Otabil stated emphatically he has no intention to go into politics.
“I am just a pastor,” the man of God stressed, explaining “My calling is the pulpit.”
He also maintained that politics is not the only means to significantly impact on your society, noting that there are other social and humanitarian works one can do to help the society.
The General Overseer of the ICGC was on the show to expatiate on his Saturday’s homily to usher in 2012 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
He had challenged Ghanaians to live pure lives and by so doing, build a more prosperous nation. There is too much wrongdoing in the society – corruption and breaking of the law – he had said.
Living in purity is not a substitute for working hard, Pastor Mensa Otabil explained on Joy FM, adding that living purely without managing your life won’t guarantee one’s wellbeing.
The man of God was appalled by sexual indiscipline at the workplace. He said the use of sex as a bait for employment and promotion has become a “huge deterrent to women advancement” in the country.
More worrying, according to Pastor Otabil is that most of the men involved in this immorality are Christians.
Touching on corruption, he appealed to Ghanaians to stop politicizing the age-old canker that is tearing society apart and destroying the country.
Pastor Mensa Otabil said he is himself striving to become perfect, and therefore entreated church members not to look up to the lifestyle of their leaders but should at all times strive to be Christ-like – because Jesus Christ is the only person who led a holy and righteous life. You can listen to Pastor Otabil’s Crossover 2011 message at this link