The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin South constituency, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has criticized the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) vice presidential candidate’s act of pouring libation, describing it as a “religious debacle”.
Just a few days after her outdooring as running mate for the NDC, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was seen performing the ritual of giving the gods an offering of libation during a visit to the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II at the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast.
Condemning this act, the Assin South MP, in a statement, disclosed that this went against all what Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stood for; empowering Ghanaian women.
According to him, the pouring of libation also goes contrary to the Christian values, the religion Jane Opoku-Agyemang is known to be affiliated to.
“For what it is worth, examine the traditional religion and be educated on the designated persons authorized to pour libation in a palace. This is simply a matter of principle. This is certainly not a critique prejudicial to gender nor religion. It is purely a matter of principle,” Ntim Fordjour stated.
He continued, “If the NDC running mate sincerely believes that indeed she holding schnapps to pour libation in a palace is a tenet of her utmost religious belief, then she must so perform it the prescribed way. Otherwise, if pouring libation is truly not part of her stated religion and belief which she had publicly professed; which is a matter of public record, then she must know better to let the authorized religious/traditional leaders practice their belief at the designated places.”
He further insisted that the NDC must admit that “their running mate and her handlers have erred and the rather unfortunate precedent set is most unworthy of emulation”.
Find below the full statement:
NDC Running Mate Pouring of Libation; a Religious Debacle – Hon Ntim Fordjour
On the matter of Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman personally pouring libation at the outset of her campaign; what a way to launch a lost campaign, what a way to inspire women!
Don’t ever get tempted to reference this cultural and religious blunder to the rather courageous and inspiring matriarch Nana Yaa Asantewaa. We have astute and courageous Ghanaian female warriors today who hold high and reputed ranks in the military and other security agencies just like the matriarch Yaa Asantewaa. Yaa Asantewaa is a symbol of courage, female empowerment and a role model, relevant even in our contemporary times. How many times did Yaa Asantewaa pour libation herself at Manhyia Palace or Ejisu Palace? For what it is worth, examine the traditional religion and be educated on the designated persons authorized to pour libation in a palace. This is simply a matter of principle. This is certainly not a critique prejudicial to gender nor religion. It is purely a matter of principle. If the NDC running mate sincerely believes that indeed she holding schnapps to pour libation in a palace is a tenet of her utmost religious belief, then she must so perform it the prescribed way. Otherwise, if pouring libation is truly not part of her stated religion and belief which she had publicly professed; which is a matter of public record, then she must know better to let the authorized religious/traditional leaders practice their belief at the designated places.
It’s purely a matter of PRINCIPLE, a running mate ought to be principled and act consistently with same. They must concede that indeed, their running mate and her handlers have erred and the rather unfortunate precedent set is most unworthy of emulation.
