The National Peace Council has described as “unfortunate” comments attributed to outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana that the Council’s membership is appointed by government.

At a press conference held on Tuesday after a crunch meeting by the Council, Chairman Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante said the comments not only undermined the legislation that established the Council but also undermined the Council itself and members.

“Unlike the impression created by the statement, members of the Council are not appointed by a ruling government to promote partisan interest.”

Rev Prof Emmanuel Martey had told some members of the Presbyterian Church over the weekend that he rejected an offer by Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga to serve as Chairman of the Council.

The outspoken clergyman said he considered the approach of the minister suspicious, turning down the offer outright and later withdrawing from representing the Christian Council of Ghana on the Peace Council.

Though the Ministry of Interior has denied the  claims, the Peace Council says Tuesday’s conference was to “correct this unfortunate impression created in the minds of Ghanaians by the statement in question”.

Rev Prof Asante assured Ghanaians that the Peace Council shall stay true to its core mandate and remain “neutral”.

He explained that the chairman was elected out of the representatives from the various bodies as per Section 4(2) of the Act 818 of Parliament.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh