The entire leadership of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has hailed Pastor Karl Hood as a dignified asset to its team of candidates to contest the next general elections in Grenada.
Hood was officially endorsed last Sunday as the candidate to contest the the constituency of St. George South East on an NDC ticket against Deputy Prime Minister, Gregory Bowen of the ruling New National Party (NNP) government.
The NDC is confident of an upset victory in the constituency given the narrow victory of the incumbent in the 2003 poll.
Congress last held the seat in 1995 through former Attorney-General Dr. Francis Alexis who is now the Political Leader of People's Labour Movement (PLM).
At Sunday's launch, the current NDC Political Leader, Tillman Thomas described Hood's endorsement as a watershed day in the history of the country.
Thomas described Hood's entry as moving one step forward in bringing hope to the people of Grenada.
He said it is important that there be a halt to the erosion of the democratic institutions, and that it can only be done when people like Pastor Hood and others who are committed to respecting institutions take part in the governance of the country.
"We have to restore values, we have to restore our institutions, and what better person whom we have on our platform than Ignatius Karl Hood to assist us in restoring our institutions," he remarked.
"If you follow some of the statements that I have been making politically, I have always said we have to bring in the Christian values into the politics," he said.
Thomas sees a major role for Hood not only in St. George South East, but throughout the island.
He said that Pastor Hood brings a good blend to his team of committed and capable people.
"We are positive that when the next election comes the Member of Parliament for this constituency (St. George South East) is going to be Ignatius Karl Hood," he told the cheering crowd.
NDC's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nazim Burke gave an insight into how the party was able to bring Pastor Hood into the fold.
Burke said that late last year he stumbled upon an article that was written by Pastor karl Hood in one ofd the local newspapers.
The article began with a statement by English Philosopher, Edmund Burke who said, "All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing."
Burke said that after reading the article he arranged to meet with Pastor Hood.
During the session which took place at the Pastor's house, Burke said he drew to him the article that he had written and asked Hood if he considers himself as being a good man to which he got a positive answer.
According to Burke, he asked the clergyman if he is prepared to do something or do nothing.
"He (Hood) said I am prepared to do something," the PRO told the gathering.
Burke stated that Pastor Hood indicated to him that he was prepared to stand up and do something in the defense of the country.
He said the NDC now feels specially favoured "to have Pastor Hood in our ranks" for the forthcoming general elections which he sees as being the single most important one since the 1976 poll.
In his tribute to Pastor Hood, the NDC General Secretary, Peter David said he is proud to be associated with the endorsement of the religious figure.
Describing Hood as a welcomed member of the NDC team, David
recalled that the Pastor was an active member of Congress and even contested the 1990 general elections for the party in St. George's North west but lost to Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
David who is the Parliamentary Representative for the Town of St. George gave Pastor Hood the assurance that his constituency will do everything possible to help him to deliver St. George South-east to Congress.
NDC's Treasurer and Member of Parliament for South St. George, Glynis Roberts spoke about how timely it was for Pastor Hood to enter frontline politics.
Roberts pointed out that local politics are crying out for unifiers and for those who can uplift a community not only in spirit on a Sunday morning, but throughout the entire week.
"We need those who can build a nation. If you can build a Church and gather your sheep one by one, you can build a nation and help restore Grenada step by step," she said.
"I am here to tell Pastor Hood that his ministry of ministering onto people is no longer a Sunday morning job. It is now full time," she added.
Pastor Hood is the resident pastor of the People's Church at St. Paul's which is of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies.
Roberts said the time has not only come for Pastor Hood to minister to the people on a full time basis, but for the entire leadership of the NDC.
The female executive member said the time has come for everyone "to take back our country."
She said the citizens need to be reunified, and to have decorum and decency restored in the local politics.
"That time has come to put things in order. The time has come to put Grenadians back to work. The time has come to revitalise our economy. The time has come to bring Godliness into the fold and to bring blessings as we go forward," she added.
Member of Parliament for St. David's, Denis Lett who also addressed the launching ceremony admonished party faithfuls in St. George South East to get involved in scrutinising the electoral list and to mobilise people to get registered.
A graduate of the Presentation Brothers College, Pastor Hood holds a Master's Degree in Leadership and is preparing to receive his doctorate.
