By Adnan Adams, Financial Journalist
In one of readings of news item, I came across a news publication attributed to a Christian faith group named Advocate for Christ Ghana.
My initial investigations revealed that the group is led by one Godfred Bokpin, who had met with officials of the Bank of Ghana on Zoom to say they do not agree with the introduction of Non-Interest banking in Ghana.
My intelligence revealed that they were asked to indicate their reasons. Pitifully, all they could say was that ‘Ghana is a Christian country, so they want nothing to do with Islam’, claiming Shariah principles are being introduced.
The Bank of Ghana advised them against these expressions, stating they have a heavy dose of religious intolerance and are arrogating to themselves the role of regulator of other religions. They were told that even though the Bank doesn’t meddle in religious matters, it was important to let them know that Ghana is a Christian-majority country but it is a secular country, which implies no religion is superior to the other in the eyes of the law. They should be guided by the dangers of religious intolerance.
They say a lot of lies about non-interest banking without showing any evidence. Intelligence shows that they are the first group of engagements by the Bank of Ghana, primarily led by Professor Godfred Gbokpin of the University of Ghana. At the engagement, the group was advised to stop using derogatory words against other religions, as there is freedom of religion that must be practiced without being a regulator of other religions.
The group was told how the Bank of Ghana engaged representatives of Christian leaders and that what they were saying was only fear-mongering without any proof or evidence. The group claimed those Christian leaders who were engaged in discussions with the Bank of Ghana were not qualified since they were experts. The group was told of the quality of the people brought by the Christian leaders, including former treasury managers, bankers, Rev. Fathers, former Vice Chancellors, Council Members, Apostles, and Church Administrators.
The group was further advised that the Bank will not engage with individual groups apart from representatives of the Christian leadership as is known in Ghana. They were advised not to elevate themselves above their leaders, since that would mean disobedience and disrespect for leadership. The engagement with them ended with a request that if they know any country where the introduction of this model of banking has destroyed, destabilized the financial system, and discriminated against people, they should present such a report. To date, our intelligence shows the Bank of Ghana has not received anything from this group.
The group indicated their aim is to ensure that this banking model is not established, so they are not interested in any engagement results. Reports received show that Prof. Bopkin, who is a former Muslim, is noted for discrimination against Muslims and shows a negative attack on anything Muslim. Recently, his comments on the Mfatsipim religious differences are clear for all to see. Our intelligence also revealed that two weeks ago, he was knocking on the doors of radio stations for him to condemn non-interest banking and called on the Governor to resign. When that opportunity was denied because of the intolerant posture, he then resorted to this article.
Ghanaians should ignore him and this Advocate for Christ Ghana, since the Bank of Ghana engaged with representatives of Christian Leaders and assurances and understanding were reached, for which the guidelines reflected. If there is an aspect they want an explanation, we are told the Bank will provide an explanation.
Intelligence from BoG further revealed that when representatives of both Christian and Muslim leaders met for the final session, assurances were given on the name, governance structure, and global setting of Non-Interest banking. The Bank of Ghana has lived up to that promise. The bank is not dealing with any religious bodies to guide its operations. All the bodies mentioned in the guideline are international standards-setting bodies recognized in the global banking ecosystem.
The interesting thing is that members of Advocate for Christ Ghana are members of churches whose leaders were at the various engagement sessions. Another intelligence has it that the Church leaders provided advice on the deployment and promise any further assistance.
Another development is that some members of the group who are chief executives in the energy sector revealed they were behind this group, together with just a few leaders of one of the groups of leaders who participated in the engagement.
I am told one of the Christians at the meeting with Advocate for Christ Ghana advised them to “focus on the real advocacy for Christ found in Matthew 28:18-20 to win souls for Christ instead of spreading propaganda.” He said “soul-winning and evangelism are the real advocacy for Christ. This radio station Christianity should give way to real soul-winning.”
Now, there is a misconception that there is going to be an introduction of Shariah in Ghana. The Bank of Ghana will never do that in a banking environment. That is never going to happen. It is sad when those expected to know rather disappoint the public. Shariah is simply the set of rules from the Quran which guide the social life, worship, and communal life of Muslims. The Islamic religion has been with us since independence and is considered by our constitution as one of the religions to be practiced in Ghana.
In the courts, parliament, and ceremonies, the use of the Quran or the Bible is allowed. Christian marriages are conducted based on the Bible, while Muslim ones are based on the Quran. This should tell our intellectuals that Shariah is being practiced in Ghana, at least since independence; it is therefore difficult to understand why the propaganda.
We are confidently told by the Bank of Ghana that the development of the guideline is to provide a choice of banking products for all. It is a fact that extreme aspects of pronouncements regarding Shariah are not countenanced in Ghana, let alone being a problem. All commercial disputes regarding non-interest banking which are not resolved through dispute resolution in the guideline will be resolved by our normal courts.
If you are picking to do propaganda, you will not see these provisions in there. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no proposition and there will not be any court system for non-interest banking apart from the existing commercial courts. I am told the Bank of Ghana has all the engagement reports, including the fact that Non-Interest bank is global and therefore has global financial standard-setting bodies which are not religious bodies.
“I am a Christian” said one of our sources, “I do not support the behavior of Professor Godfred Bokpin, who wanted to be a member of appointees of this Government after dropping from NPP. I also encourage the Bank of Ghana to speed up, work to start the license process from January 2026.”
All banks interested in the window should apply for the process to start, together with FinTech firms interested in Non-Interest banking products, to expand and deepen financial inclusion and business development for all.
