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INDIVIDUAL INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.— 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
When we talk about a Christian’s political movement, we should realize. that not all involvement is physical. For example, a group of people may meet everyday to pray for the street people. From the world’s perspective they are skirting the real task, withdrawing from the misery on the street. But praying for street ministries is both biblical and a vibrant spiritual involvement. The power of prayer is immeasurable and vital.
Each individual has to seek his or her calling from God. Christ calls people to different ministries. We cannot assume that everyone must have our calling, nor can we prescribe a calling for another individual. Another person’s role within the body of Christ will be different from ours.
Some of us are called to reform politics from within the structure. Others of us are called to be part of a citizen endeavour. Some of us are called to serveon a local school body board or city council. Others may be involved in acitizen group to fight child abuse.
As Christians called to involvement in politics in whatever form, our real mission is to affirm our love and obedience to Christ. Our long-term commitment and our immediate commitment are one and the same – to serve as ambassadors of Jesus Christ; to be the voice, the healing, and the reconciling and liberating force of Jesus. We have Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are witnesses of redemption, of the Good News. As Christians, that mission must undergird our role in politics, just as it is evidenced in our family lives and our role in the marketplace.
Sin manifests itself in evil, in oppression, in injustice, in jealousy, in rivalry, in hate, in poverty. The basic Christian values are the exact opposite – healing, reconciling, encouraging, feeding the poor, visiting the sick and the prisoners. We have the message of the Good News that indeed God has dealt with the forces of injustice and evil. We have the armour of the Word of God and the energizing of the Holy Spirit. We must be involved in both ministry and politics – in the unique way God has called each of us to serve.
THE DYNAMICS OF DIVERSITY
We are responsible to bring the message of Christ into every facet of life. We can join a political party, write to ourparliamentarians, march, hold a vigil or do other things that call attention to what needs to be done for the betterment of peoples’ lives. But while we do these things, we have to be careful that our political agendas do not become a divisive force within the Body of Christ.
There is great danger when someone says, “This is the Christian position on a certain political issue.” That implies that any other viewpoint is not Christian. Political standsdo not determine our salvation; our relationship to the person of Jesus Christ does. I think that relationship alone determines our right to be called a Christian.
What Can We Do When We Disagree with Other Christians Politically?
We can retain our political convictions and still be united with other Christians. To experience that, a basis of love is required. We discuss the issue we disagree on, but we realize that hey are secondary to our love for each other and our love for Christ.
How can Christians Agree to Disagree on Political Issues?
1. Listen to one another. Too often we jump to conclusions about the opposite side of an issue without listening to what the people on it have to say.
2. Make the Bible your anchor. We must hold one another to the biblical context and theological norms. We must remember the church’s tradition of moral reflection.
3. Dig into discussion. We need to present the different options and urge all sides to discuss the issues. That’s how our consciences are formed.
4. Love, don’t leave. There will be times when, after we have discussed all sides of an issue, we will not be able to agree with other Christians. Then we accept them, remembering not what divides us, but what binds us together – Christ’s love.
CONCLUSION
Christians will often disagree on political matters. But we should not disagree on the underlying moral principles, and we most definitely should not interpret moral principles from the vantage point of our own self-interest. When this happens, we discredit ourselves and the wonderful gospel for which we claim to stand.
Source:Adapted from the book “Practical Christianity” – The Down to Earth Guide to Heavenly Living.
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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