AMA begins data collection of churches, mosques

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commenced the process of collating data of all places of worship within its jurisdiction.

According to the AMA, the data will identify the number of churches and mosques within the metropolis and capture details of the number of members, location, contact persons, among others to enable the Assembly to prepare itself to enforce the guidelines as well as assist in conducting contact-tracing should there be any confirmed COVID-19 case within any church or place of worship.

This comes after the government lifted the ban on religious gatherings.

Toward this end, the AMA said its environmental health, as well as social welfare officers and building inspectors, would be visiting communities to collect data on all places of worship so as to locate them and reach out.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 31 May 2020, eased the restrictions on religious gatherings under strict guidelines for churches and mosques that wish to open.

He limited the number of worshippers to 100 among others.

Find below the government’s guidelines on the opening of churches:

Churches are to ensure a No-handshake, No-hugging and No-Spitting policy at all time.

No crowded dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.

Microphones are to be sanitised immediately after each use.

All persons who speak or sing in churches must wear facemask during service.

Churches are to discourage singing in groups and instead use pre-recorded songs.

Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.

Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.

In observance of social-distancing protocols, laying-on of hands should not be allowed.

The AMA, in a statement, urged all religious leaders to accord its officers the needed cooperation to ensure a successful exercise.