Archbishop Bonaventure calls on public to adhere to lockdown directives

Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie, the Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, has appealed to all citizens to adhere to the directives given by the President with regard to the partial lockdown of some areas.

Although faith and prayer did the impossible, he said, obedience plays a pivotal role in it.

He urged everyone to comply with the preventive measures set by the World Health Organisation and the Ghana Health Service to prevent the spread and contraction of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

He said this on Sunday morning while teaching at a church service in Accra.

The service was attended by only five selected people and telecasted live on Crystal TV for the Catholic faithful and the entire nation.

The low attendance was as a result of the directive from the President for all social gatherings including church services to be suspended, following the recording of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The President, Nana Akufo-Addo also on Friday at 2300 hours announced the imposition of restrictions of movement around areas such as Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 effective 0100 hrs Monday, March 30, 2020.

Most Reverend Kwofie, speaking on the Bible verse John 11: 1 – 45, said even as the nation was recording escalating numbers and deaths linked to COVID-19, Christians have to strengthen their faith and have more hope in God.

“From this Bible verse, Mary and Martha lost hope when their brother Lazarus died, however, their faith was rekindled when Christ brought him back to life. It is the same way that we must have hope in God in this trying times,” he said.

He urged everyone to implore God's mercy and meditate on his word to be reassured of his compassion and readiness to support in times of need.

Sometimes humans enter into the valley of fears and darkness coupled with difficulties, and the Lord enters the valley, takes them by the hand and lays them in the valley of hope and rest, Most Reverend Kwofie said.

He prayed for church leaders across the world to withstand the trying time and lead their congregants to strengthen their faith, and for the Government of Ghana to make right decisions in its quest to control the crisis.

Most Reverend Kwofie also prayed for health workers managing COVID-19 patients and researchers working tirelessly to get a vaccine for the disease.

“We also pray for God’s protection for everyone, especially the less privileged and for God to help them secure the needed food and shelter as the nation enters a period of lockdown,” he said.