An old picture of Archbishop Charles Agyinasare (R) praying with President John Mahama
The National Democratic Congress government must make sure that all those who looted state resources are not left unpunished, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has said, bemoaning that even though the inauguration of a new government under President Mahama “ushered in fresh hope for renewal and reform”, no accused person has been tried and jailed even after a whole year.
In his 31st December 2025 Watch-night Message on the prophetic theme: “My Year of Turnaround,” the founder of Perez Chapel International, headquartered at Dzorwulu, Accra, insisted there must be a moral turnaround to restore integrity and righteousness in the nation.
He noted that when one political party replaces another, millions identified by the Auditor-General as missing are ignored, referencing the maxim, “All politicians have one mother”, as people say.
However, Archbishop Agyinasare quoted Ecclesiastes 8:11 to drive home the need to punish wrongdoers. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore, the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
“In one year of the NDC government, not many have been tried and jailed yet, even though there was so much campaign on dealing with corruption,” he bemoaned, adding: “We must turn around and insist that punishment meets wrongdoing and those who have swallowed our riches must be made to vomit.”
According to the revered Ghanaian preacher, “AI analysis reflects a common Ghanaian perception: politics is seen as a route to personal enrichment—procurement scandals, weak accountability, and a ‘soli’ culture of cash handouts especially during elections.”
As a result, he referenced someone’s concern that: “The way some politicians are enriching themselves before the ordinary citizens very soon we would have more politicians than citizens because everyone would want to be a politician.”
He expressed frustration that the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament “regularly exposes appointees and politically exposed individuals who cause financial loss to the nation,” but “Often, nothing happens, or at best, they receive a mere slap on the wrist.”
He observed that the political corruption witnessed by the youth is beginning to have a devastating influence on them, leading to several vices.
“The youth see people enter public office and suddenly own eight houses in four years,” Archbishop Agyinasare said.
Consequently, he expressed worry that “the youth are no longer committed to democracy; they want governments that secure their future,” recalling: “During HE John Mahama’s inauguration, the visiting President who received the loudest applause was Captain Traoré of Burkina Faso. In fact, he is the ideal head of state for most African youth because they think he is helping his people, not looting from them.”
“Just four weeks ago in Benin, an attempted coup occurred—one day after my return from ministering there,” he mentioned.
Emphasising how political corruption is pushing the youth into decadence, Archbishop Agyinasare wondered: “How can someone be caught in an alleged romance scam and our youth go on demonstration? They claim he is their role model. It means once you have money, people don’t care how you got it. We must turn around.”
The decadence, he added, is seeping through the whole of Ghanaian society. “Masons building people’s houses steal the cement, those who work with the iron rods steal them, electricians steal cables from their site, storekeepers steal their masters.”
Also, he said “teachers must stop sexually exploiting students” while “pastors who charge for prayer” and are “not being financially accountable to any board” as well as engage in “sexual exploitation” of their members, must turn around in 2026.”
He said: “As ministers and believers, we must live above reproach, refusing compromise and corruption in every form—financially, sexually, relationally, and in leadership. We must turn away from covetousness that leads people to steal—from communities, schools, shops, churches—and yet see culprits jailed for years while others go free.”
The judiciary, in Archbishop Agyinasare’s view, “must regain respect and judge righteously.”
