Thank God that some truths are coming out now. Kofi Koomsons chronicle and those Ghanaians that were quick to condemn the Archbishop Duncan Williams should bow down their heads in shame. Initially I said a man of his calibre would not arrive at such a decision so easily, but those who were bent on destroying the archbishop including the Very Reverend Colonel John Otoo who took a swipe at him during a wedding ceremony would not countenance the ‘papas’ stance without using it as an opportunity to condemn him.

Firstly although there were speculations that the wife had at a point in time committed adultery no one could really point a figure at that simply because the Archbishop respectfully forgave her, and even covered up the act which Jesus Christ himself justified as the grounds for divorce. Yet ‘papa’ took all the blame and accepted that he was the cause of the problem of which most preachers and sons knew was not the case. In any case the Archbishop was not responsible for the first divorce but rather the wife. However, he still pursued the marriage and had the opportunity to re-marry her after a brief period of separation only for a more bitter experience to follow his act of mercy.

The interview granted to Joy FM by the two daughters of ‘papa’ uncovered the nakedness of the home which I think was a little over the top. However, now that we all know that the wife after committing adultery has not been really submissive to the husband; can anyone say that the Archbishop is rebelling against GOD? Within the last four years can anyone say they know in detail what has been taking place apart from the kids who are fully aware and some men of God whose names I will not publish?

The archbishop has show a lot of strength and character during this period and he must have gotten to the elastic limit as a man. He showed Christ likeness beyond measure by accepting a woman who cheated him and defiled her matrimonial home yet no one comments (ie: chronicle etc) that the archbishop acted as a man of God nor did anyone commend him for his example which was beyond imagination. How long shall we permit the media to fool us, and kill our leaders whilst we stand aside and look? On what grounds do we call the archbishop a false prophet, who can come out to point a finger at him and say he has stolen their money or accuse him of expropriation of funds? It is unfortunate that our society has become one that really feeds on rumours rather than facts that can be substantiated. This man of God has been an inspiration to many of us and through most of his teachings today most of us are where we are today. Certainly this article is not to lend support to him divorcing the wife but rather to help rebuild his image. It is unfortunate that instead of standing by him and interceding for him and the worldwide body of Christ, some preachers like Very Reverend Colonel John Otoo used his pulpit to castigate him. So to Very Reverend Colonel John Otoo I ask if his wife ( probably he hasn’t got any if he is catholic) committed adultery would he have taken her back and if yes would he have tolerated acts which were inconsistent with scriptures the second time? No hypocrisy here, I don’t think he can. No one loves divorce and although I wish that the archbishop could forgive the wife again and rebuild their lives together as we all desire it will be very difficult for any man who finds himself in such a situation to remain focussed and successful in an abusive home.

Proverbs 21:9, 19 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman.

What the archbishop is experiencing is no different from what John Wesley went through nor Dr. Mike Murdoch. It is amazing the way the very people who condemn the Archbishop go back to read and celebrate David the king of Israel even though he committed adultery and murder which was worthy of death yet was not neglected by God. Unfortunately those detractors like Ahitophel and Absalom rather died for castigating him. Time will not permit me to talk of the likes of Solomon, Abraham and Samson. One may ask why I am justifying the archbishops’ actions. No I am not justifying his intentions for a divorce but rather redesigning his image and reputation which has been seriously tarnished by some sections of the media particularly the Chronicle a die hard antagonist of this great servant of GOD.

The children…… The children have been affected and I think it would have been appropriate to have kept them out of the media spotlight. In my opinion they have tried to repair the image of their Dad but then it has also done some damage to their Mother. I would have preferred that the issue of the past act of adultery wouldn’t have been confirmed by the eldest daughter on radio although it was a well known rumour. Whatever mama Francesca has done in the past should have been kept tight lipped by the children just as ‘papa’ had been over it for a long time. Finally, what all Christians should know is that the devil is a destroyer and seeks to destroy everyone as long as you fall within his territory. What has happened to the archbishop is not a recipe for people to opt for divorce so easily but in all instances efforts must be made to resolve such issues by the wisdom of GOD. It must be our prayer that in spite of the ongoing problem, GOD shall once again intervene in this marriage and turn this circumstance around. To the archbishop and mama Francesca all Christian action faith members both at home and abroad love you and the many sons you have raised spiritually are with you in this time of turbulence and we know we shall overcome.

By: Solomon Darkwa
University of Greenwich Department of Economics London


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