Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has urged faith-based institutions to take a more active role in national discourse, particularly during times of crisis and societal challenges.
She made the call while speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Heritage Christian University, which was held under the theme, “Upholding our Heritage Won for Us: Red, Gold and Green.”
Addressing the gathering, Justice Akuffo highlighted the historical role of religious organisations in shaping national values and moral direction. She argued that faith communities can no longer remain silent amid ethical decline, poor leadership, and social tensions.
“It is no longer enough for faith communities to stay on the sidelines or adopt a passive posture when public life is increasingly marked by ethical decline, poor leadership, and social tensions,” she said.
The former Chief Justice emphasised that religious institutions possess both moral authority and civic responsibility to speak truth to power, guide national conscience, and advocate for justice, accountability, and citizens’ wellbeing.
“I wish our faith-based institutions will be more vocal, active, and critical instead of sometimes taking backseats and just looking on and humming. Jesus was an activist, was he not? What was not going well in his society, he spoke about it, and he worked about it. He took action about those things. It is very important,” she stated.
Justice Akuffo’s remarks serve as a reminder of the influential role that mission schools and religious organisations can play in shaping the nation’s future.
