The upcoming National Christian Forum (NCF) in Ghana, organised by Advocates for Christ Ghana (A4CG), is set to facilitate discussions among Christians from diverse backgrounds to assess the impact of political parties on the country's democratic experience.

The forum, in its fourth year, aims to evaluate the influence of political parties on various aspects of national life, including the church, government, public and private sectors, media, citizens, and overall national development.

Edem Senanu, a Development Practitioner, Anti-Corruption Campaigner, and Chairman of A4CG, expressed confidence that the forum would enhance the accountability of political parties and their candidates. 

The discussions are expected to contribute to influencing the voting population for the 2024 elections based on evidence and a deeper understanding of political party manifestos.

The National Christian Forum 2023, NCF23, is themed “Charting a new course for civil society by fostering meaningful and sustainable dialogue between the state and the church”, Senanu highlighted in a statement released on November 15, 2023.

He said the emerging call for governments to strategically engage with religious and cultural leaders, emphasizing the need for partnerships to drive targeted developmental and behavioral changes.

The 2023 edition of the National Christian Forum will focus on evaluating the impact of political parties on national development, identifying successful strategies, and suggesting improvements for the future.

 The organisers anticipate distilling recommendations that will influence political party manifestos and actions as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.

As part of the preparations for NCF2023, a pre-forum webinar featured speakers such as Prof. Karunti Kanyinga, Director of the Institute of Development Studies at Nairobi University, Dr. Esther Offei-Aboagye, former Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies in Ghana, Dr. Oscar Otelle, Researcher and Lecturer at Nairobi University, and Rev Dr. John Kpikpi, Senior Pastor of the City of God Church.

The speakers raised critical issues, including citizen perceptions of leadership selection through elections, satisfaction with democracy in Africa, and the factors driving discontent, such as government performance related to the economy, job creation, income gap, and price stability.

The National Christian Forum 2023 is scheduled to commence on Thursday, November 16, at 6:30 pm at Action Chapel Spintex Road in Accra, continuing on Friday, November 17, at 4:30 pm at Ridge - Wesley Towers behind the British Council, and concluding on Saturday, November 18, at 9 am at Ridge Wesley Towers behind the British Council. 

Renowned speakers and discussants include Most Rev Dr. Paul Boafo, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Professor Atsu Aryee of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Fred Deegbe, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Ghana, Dr. Mrs. Angela Dwamena Aboagye, Mr. George Prah, former President of Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International, Bernard Avle, and others