We’ve lost the zeal to go back to church – Akufo-Addo’s 10th address triggers reactions

Some Ghanaians have intimated that their interest for church activities has dwindled after a ban was placed on public gatherings for weeks.

Although they were itching to throng their respective churches, the narrative has changed having been made to stay home for a long period.

Their remarks come after President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision ease the restrictions on public gathering.

“An abridged format for religious services can commence. Twenty-five percent (25%) attendance, with a maximum number of one hundred (100) congregants, can worship at a time in church or at the mosque, with a mandatory one metre rule of social distancing between congregants,” the president said in his 10th address on Ghana’s fight against the pandemic.

“In addition to the mandatory wearing of masks for all persons at all times in churches and mosques, a register of names and contact details of all worshippers and hand washing facilities and sanitisers must be provided, with a maximum duration of one (1) hour for each service.

It however appears that the desire to assemble has suffered.

For those who are committed church goers, attending church services in this era of COVID-19 is a dangerous move hence, will not risk it.

“In this period, I won’t attend any church service. That will be at my own risk. God said he has laid before us life and death. We have the right to choose one. I’ll certainly not chose death,” one told GhanaWeb.

Another individual explained that prayers need not to be said during church services alone. He added that the true definition of a church is the human body and not mere buildings.



“What citizens need to understand is that the church is the body and not a building. That building is just an association we go just to find hope,” he gentleman stated.

Others say the mere thought of how pastors exploiting their members by selling all sorts of “anointing face masks”, “anointing hand sanitizers” and so on annoys them.

“Re-opening of churches will help some pastors because Ghana is a religious country and these pastors have been calling for re-opening over a period now. It will also create an avenue for these pastors to sell face masks, hand sanitizers and so on to church members at an inflated cost,” a man stated.

“Pastors of nowadays are scum and rogues. Always requesting for money and items. They will also use this as an opportunity to sell their expensive nose masks and hand sanitizers,” said another.