General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil has been in the news severally for various reasons; good and bad.
Being an icon for many across the country, it appears his utterances are keenly monitored and have, in some instances been both interpreted and misinterpreted.

One of such instances where the prominent man of God made the headlines was in November 2012, after some aspects of a sermon he preached went viral.

Pastor Otabil, in his sermon urged his congregation to vote based on policies presented by politicians and not for material things.

He also entreated Ghanaians to exercise their sovereignty wisely by voting for leaders who will serve their interest and not on partisan or tribal lines.

The comments which didn’t go down well with some members of the then ruling National Democratic Congress slammed him accordingly.

Then communications team member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kakra Essamuah also joined in, serving the man of God his own plate of criticism whilst speaking on Asempa’s ‘Ekosii Sen’.

According to him, the conduct of the ICGC leader is no different from the tyrant King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar who tormented his subjects for many years.

“Pastor Otabil has reached a state where what God ask him to tell us he owns it? He tells us that he owns his words and is the only person who can interpret his words [then] what is the difference between him and Nebuchadnezzar? Kakra quizzed.


Read the full story as published on November 12, 2012 here below

Is Otabil different from Nebuchadnezzar? Kakra Essamuah asks

A communications team member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kakra Essamuah has bemoaned what he says is the growing ‘arrogance’ of the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil.

According to him, the conduct of the ICGC leader in recent times is no different from the tyrant King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar who tormented his subjects for many years.

“Pastor Otabil has reached a state where what God ask him to tell us he owns it? He tells us that he owns his words and is the only person who can interpret his words [then] what is the difference between him and Nebuchadnezzar? Kakra quizzed.

His comment is in reaction to the recent sermon by the renowned preacher man who was urging his congregation to vote based on policies presented by politicians and not for material things in the December polls.

Pastor Otabil addressing his congregation on Sunday, entreated Ghanaians to exercise their sovereignty wisely by voting for leaders who will serve their interest and not on partisan or tribal lines.

But on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Monday, Kakra Essamuah admonished Pastor Otabil not to dabble in partisan politics and concentrate on the gospel.

“I go to church for religious instruction not for political reasons. Anybody who thinks that after 20 years he can teach us how to vote in a church is mythical” he added.

Lawyer Essamuah described as unfortunate why some pastors do not know the distinction between their role as messengers and prophet of God.

“To maintain their [pastors] sacred authority there is the need for them to withdraw from the arena of partisan politics. Do not get involved in partisan politics; if you do, those political actors will respond accordingly”.

The NDC man said the core mandate of every pastor is to speak against sin and sinners and not to educate his congregation on how to vote hence Pastor Otabil must be condemned.

“You choose to do politics when and how you like it but when we do it you get offended and call us Machiavellian, evil, sinister”.

Kakra Essamuah said in view of Pastor Otabil’s 'political sermon' over the weekend, it will be difficult for the NDC to adhere to the cease fire by the Christian Council.

However, the Director of Communication of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea said the ruling party has failed to handle the issue appropriately.

He said the salvo being fired at the ICGC leader by members of the NDC has the potential to send the party into opposition few days to the December polls.

Nana Akomea indicated that it will serve the interest of the ruling party if it concentrates on its campaign than seeking to make political capital out of nothing.