Government will not fund holy pilgrimage by Christians - Owusu-Bempah

Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, the general overseer of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International has said government will not bear the costs of the holy pilgrimages by Ghanaian Christians.

According to him, individuals interested in participating in the pilgrimage will be responsible for their own expenses, while government will negotiate with the heads of state of where the holy sites are located.

Rev. Owusu Bempah who is also a member of the planning committee for the pilgrimages, spoke to NEAT FM, when he stated, "We are not putting any burden on government.

So far we have about 100 people who are ready for the journey and to pay. Government will not pay for anyone but if there will be sponsorship from individuals, fine." He was responding to the criticisms by some individuals on government's plan to introduce Holy Pilgrimages for Ghana's Christian community.

The move which was explained at a press briefing by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Samuel Ahiave Dzamesi, would have positive implications for national development, peaceful co-existence and social cohesion.

However, this new development has been faced with critical reviews by some individuals including the founder of the think-tank, IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe.

According to Mr. Cudjoe, there were other organizations involved in providing opportunities for such holy journeys, hence it was unnecessary for the government to get fully involved. "I think clearly that the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has no work to do and I get worried . . . It appears to me they have no work to do that is why they will be thinking of organizing trips to Israel and other parts of the world," he said.