The Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa, Dr. Charles Brempong-Yeboah, has deplored the attitude of people in responsible positions in both the public and private sectors who flock to prayer grounds and crusade sites during working hours.
"I am not in any way suggesting that we should not pray. Prayers certainly have a role. But I am personally against the numerous and endless 'crusades' and all-nights which not only sap the energies of our workforce but are openly advertised and held on week days."
What is not clear, Dr. Brempong-Yeboah observed in a statement to Parliament yesterday, is how such crusades are organised by pastors and organisers who "know for certain that the people who should attend, ie, 'God's flock' must be at work and must be working hard."
He explained the need for mankind to work for six days and rest on the seventh, according to God's creation principles.
"Worse still, there are persons who pretend to be at work but who nicodemously leave their offices at times when they are supposed to be attending to customers or doing something to improve work out-put and efficiency at their work places, to attend prayer invitations of various evangelists, bishops, pastors and the like."
Dr. Brempong-Yeboah made particular mention of what goes on at places like the Achimota School sports grounds, University of Ghana, Legon botanical gardens and in bushes around there, and even on the grounds of some renowned churches in programmes like 'Jerusalem Hour.'
He accused some church leaders who, in spite of the guidelines given by Jesus Christ on prayer, have so far imprinted on the minds of their followers that it is only through them that their prayers can reach God.
The honourable member wondered how many church leaders have taken the trouble to ensure that those who on monthly basis pay huge sums of monies to them as tithes and offerings have also paid their income taxes to the state.
He therefore threw a challenge to church leaders to ensure some significant changes in the amount of taxes that the country collects monthly.
The member said the only panacea for the country's stunted economic and developmental growth is sheer dedication to duty, hard work and the willingness of Ghanaians to love their country a little bit more than themselves.
He said more developed countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have achieved the ultimate as a result of hard work and the spirit of nationalism, but not only through prayers.
Dr. Brempong-Yeboah called for a national launch in churches and mosques, a crusade to educate Ghanaians on the need to conscientiously pay taxes to the state.
"I believe we can also be as successful as the Thailands, Indonesias, Singapores and Malaysias," he underscored, adding, "all we have to do is to be sincere to ourselves and be conscious of what attitudes at our workplaces, especially, would improve or distract from our productivity".
He asked Ghanaians to work consistently hard according to the plans, strategies and targets that they have set for themselves, and spend less time praying and hoping that something would happen.