Ghana: Who's a Vicious Insinuationist? The Bishop

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Though Ghana is 28% Christian, for most of its people politics is the highest religion and Kwame Nkrumah, known as Osagyefo (the Redeemer), the nearest thing to a god. Upset by this state of affairs, the Rt. Rev. Richard Roseveare, 60, Anglican Bishop of Accra, spoke out last August against the country's growing "godlessness" and deplored such slogans as "Africa has her own god and Nkrumah is his Jesus." As far as the government was concerned Roseveare's attitude was blasphemy, and he was given just nine hours to get out of the country.

Two months ago, Nkrumah relented, readmitted Roseveare to Ghana. But last week the bishop was in trouble again. In a New Year's Eve sermon, Roseveare delivered a carefully worded attack on "idolatry." He named no names, did not so much as mention Ghana, but Nkrumah's terrible-tempered press was quick to take offense. Adding a new phrase to the already rich vocabulary of invective, the Accra Evening News branded the bishop as a "vicious insinuationist," warned that unless he stops his "utter misuse of the pulpit, we shall have no alternative than to accept the gauntlet"—that is, to throw him out again.