General News of 2013-03-19

Pilgrimage to Israel is for sightseeing not for prayers - Benny Wood

Spokesperson for the Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana, Bishop Prince Benny Wood says the 'controversial' sponsored pilgrimage to Israel is for sight seeing and not to pray for the nation or the president as is being speculated.
According to him, the pilgrimage is meant to expose the clergy to the historical antecedents of Christianity, enhance their spirituality and to experience a personal transformation of their faith.
Government has come under severe bashing after it emerged that it is sponsoring 200 pastors on a pilgrimage to Israel to pray for President Mahama ostensibly to overturn a doomsday prophesy about him as well as overturn the ongoing water and electricity crisis in Ghana.
To set the records straight, President Mahama in a meeting with the clergy at the Flagstaff House said the trip is a private sector initiative and government is only a facilitator.
The president's comments have come as a surprise to many, including some pastors who are beneficiaries of the trip. They are demanding that government names the supposed private entities to put the matter to rest.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Tuesday, Bishop Benny Wood said the intent of the pilgrimage has been misconstrued.
He explained that the trip is to see physical manifestations of their faith, confirm their beliefs in the Holy Bible and for spiritual awakening.
The leader of the Concerned Clergy noted that the controversy has arisen due to miscommunication on the part of government.
He observed that if critics are made to understand that the sponsorship is not from the public purse, they would appreciate the need to embark on the pilgrimage.
Bishop Benny Wood added that a lot of the pastors turned down the offer because it coincided with the Easter festivities but "after our meeting with the president most of them are prepared to go".
He said government intends to form a consultative group made up of the clergy to resolve the issues about the pilgrimage and properly organize the trip to include all Christian groups across the country.
"All those who were against the trip changed their position after our meeting with the president. We now know the government is not sponsoring it and I am at peace with it".
Bishop Benny Wood who could not mention the entities financing the pilgrimage said he and his colleagues are ever ready to honour any invitation from government.