Samuel Noi Mensah says the constitution in its current state gives presidents “too much power that they sometimes manage the country as their family property.”

Speaking in an interview on the Second Joy Christian Forum, he said the 1992 Constitution must be reviewed before the 2024 elections because it gives little room for accountability and transparency, making leaders think they hold supreme power over national issues and decisions.

“The constitution has given too much power to one single person who manages the country as if he’s managing his family property or family business, and that is why in this 30th year of our democratic rule, there must be the need for constitutional review if we want to enhance our governance.

“In the Constitution, we have only enhanced a political leader, and so when they come into the office, they like it because it benefits their selfish ego [but] we need strong leadership that will transform our society after 65 years, and that must be something the church must begin to trumpet, and the church is trumpeting,” he said.

According to him, the country has not achieved much since she gained independence due to the kind of decisions leaders take.

Bishop Noi Mensah explained that “politics actually is about decisions people make that affect our lives and we must be interested. But, unfortunately, whoever sits in the Jubilee House has been given too much of power.”

He warned that a failure to review the constitution can plunge the country into darkness.

“There must be a referendum before the next election; otherwise, this nation will definitely go down. We can’t go into the next election with the same constitution. After 30 years, you should evaluate yourself. You should ask yourself how well have you performed in the 30years of our democracy.

“What are some of the good things in the constitution, and what are some of the things we need to review so that we can enhance and strengthen our institutions? That is why the ordinary man like you and I must demand and call for the referendum; otherwise, the constitution we have today cannot take us into the next 30 years of Ghana’s development.”

According to him, the church’s contributions in education, health, agriculture and other social services have provided comfort to many citizens who may have committed suicide due to the current economic stress.

In an interview on the Second Joy Christian Forum, he noted that, unlike some advanced countries that have put in place “very good social services” to sustain the social needs of people, Ghana lacks facilities and provisions that would cushion the populace in times of difficulties.

“In this country, we don’t have a lot of social services, and it is the church that is providing those social services in the form of services. Every week, somebody will go to church. The singing, the prayer and hearing of the word of God bring comfort to that person.

“Otherwise, you’d end up having a lot of crazy people doing crazy things and the amount of suicide that you probably would experience, especially in these critical and difficult economic times.

“People are stressed, people are going insane, and it takes the provision of the church in sustaining the social fibre of this society,” he said.

He, therefore, lamented the frequent characterisation of church leaders by some politicians who fail to recognise the roles being played by Christian organisations to maintain peace and development in the country.

Bishop Noi Mensah said the church will not remain silent in any public discourse for fear of being labelled, insulted and destroyed by politicians.

“Our political leaders have specialised in labelling individuals and Christian organisations, but once you know who they are, you would think about the bigger picture that is about Ghana.

“The government side can tell you without the church playing that influential role; we can’t go very far. The minority will also confirm the same, but sometimes, when you are in the minority, you would like to go to the church ask the church to speak on issues. When they become the majority, and when you speak on the same issues, then they label you and tell you to be quiet,” he said.

On her part, the General Overseer of the Solid Rock Chapel International said the church in Ghana will continue to thrive and survive in propagating its mission, despite criticisms by some individuals.

Rev Dr Christie Doh Tetteh observed that even though few elements would cause undue setbacks in the church’s resolve to preach the truth, concerted efforts would be made to ensure the right things are defended and projected in society.

“We cannot, as a church, solve the whole problem of Ghana because we are Ghanaians. Jesus Christ came on planet earth; he only worked for three and half years, and he didn’t finish everything. So he has left it for you and I to continue.”

“As long as we [the church] stand, we stand for the truth and keep preaching the truth and living the truth, it doesn’t matter the resistance, God will glorify His name through the church,” she said.