Christian Council denies involvement with Holy pilgrimage brouhaha

Government's claim that the proposed pilgrimage to Israel and the Vatican City was supported by the Christian Council of Ghana, has been debunked by the council's executives.

Rev. Dr Opuni Frimpong, the general secretary of the council, had dismissed the claims by government, saying there had been a closed door meeting between the council and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

According to the Rev. Opuni Frimpong, the issue of the proposed pilgrimage had been raised but the council had declined to support the idea.

"…It is true that the Minister paid us a visit in a closed-door meeting. It is true that in the meeting he raised that issue. I don’t remember but I wouldn’t want to discuss details of that meeting but we have never made any commitment that we will participate in that. As at now we are not part of that," Rev.

Opuni Frimpong said in an interview with Starr FM. He stated the council's rejection of the idea was because they were presented with the same proposal by the erstwhile Mahama administration.

He said at the time, the council had rejected the idea, hence it was only fair to decline participation in the project with the new government.

Last week, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs announced government's plans to offer opportunities for the Ghanaian Christian community to embark on a Holy pilgrimage to Israel and other holy sites in the world.

The decision was met with much criticism by sections of the public, as well as a number of national stakeholders, who believe it is an unnecessary use of government's resources.

However, a member of the Planning Committee for the pilgrimage, Rev. Owusu Bempah has indicated that the pilgrimage will not be funded by government but by the participants themselves.