GPCC rejects 'unacceptable' church legislation proposal

The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has kicked against a proposal by parliament for the legislation of churches in Ghana.

Parliament, on Wednesday, 29 May 2019 advocated legislation to clamp down on what the chamber termed the abuse of congregants, especially by one-man churches.

In a statement on the floor of the house on the activities of the churches, the MP for Mfantseman Constituency, Mr Ekow Hayford said it was about time the state took drastic action against pastors who abused people's rights.

He called for legislation and an independent body to manage church activities in the country.

Contributing to the statement, the MP for Ablekuma Central, Mr Ebenezer Nartey, argued that some pastors do not deserve the title.

He cited instances where some of them distribute lotto numbers, sell paraphernalia at exorbitant prices, among others, as things that should be condemned.

The Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye gave the joint committees of Youth, Sports and Culture as well as the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee a one-month ultimatum to investigate and report back to the house, how best to regulate the activities of churches in the country.

However, the National Executive Council of the GPCC has said they are gravely concerned about the Speaker’s call.

A press statement signed by the General Secretary of the GPCC, Rev Emmanuel Barrigah, issued on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, noted that: “The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council views this as unacceptable and completely rejects the proposal”.

The faith-based organisation with a membership of over 200 Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian church denominations and para-church organisations in Ghana, indicated that Christian bodies in the country are addressing the issues raised by parliament and, therefore, needless for legislators to intervene, since they can deal with the matters by themselves.