Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare, the founder of Perez Chapel International, has come under fire from well-known author P.K. Sarpong, who supports the ruling NPP government, for remarks he believes are offensive and unworthy of a religious figure. Sarpong criticized the bishop for reportedly inciting Christians to challenge a Muslim leader in Ghana in a message that was posted on his official Facebook page. "To say that we are disappointed in you, Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare, would be the greatest understatement of the century. We expected more from someone who has spent years in ministry than for you to exploit your position to advocate prejudice by saying that Christians shouldn't back a Muslim in a leadership position," Sarpong said.
Alleging religious intolerance, he contended that Agyin-Asare's opinions went counter to Christianity's principles of love and harmony. The idea that pastors and your congregation should reject a leader based only on their religious beliefs is not a godly one. This is the height of bigotry, and a decent man of God would never use such polarizing language," Sarpong added. Although Sarpong acknowledged Agyin-Asare's political alignment, he argued that the concepts of unity in diversity are undermined when religion is used as a basis for political persuasion.
For being a Muslim, what is the crime committed by Bawumia? Hasn't he served the nation while obediently practicing his Islamic faith? Why would someone use that against him? He said, "Your statements violate your own belief in God's word, which preaches inclusivity rather than divisiveness. Sarpong also charged the bishop with alienating his own party's Muslim supporters. "You are effectively telling your party's Muslim members and the large number of people who back you that they are unable to hold positions of leadership. What does the Bible say about this? Where did you read about such discrimination in the Bible? Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare, I am so disappointed," Sarpong said in closing.
Many others have echoed Sarpong's plea for inclusivity and respect for one another in national discourse, which has prompted conversations regarding the relationship between religion and leadership.