Best stimulus package in coronavirus period is hope - Rev Frimpong-Manso

General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Prof. Paul Yaw Frimpong-Manso says the best stimulus package for the people of Ghana in the coronavirus era is the message of hope.

The man of God said money is just a means of exchange but what to give to people in this pandemic period is the word of God.

Rev. Frimpong-Manso made the observation on Onua TV’s Maakye on Tuesday hosted by Bright Kwasi Asempa.

The President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) was responding to a question on whether the churches would also give stimulus package to their church members as the government did for small scale businesses in the country.

Rev. Frimpong-Manso said in Twi that “the best stimulus package to give people is the message of hope and not money…Some had money but they could not make it so if you get someone who would motivate and encourage you, that is better than money”.

He explained that “churches in the country have since time in memorial helped the society and continue to help. Not only during the COVID-19 era that we started caring for the church members. We have provided schools, supported the needy and widows in the church, among others”.

Opening of churches

The General Superintendent said, “I am against opening of churches if the churches will not follow the protocols but I will be for it if the churches will follow the rules and protocols to stay safe”.

“It’s a new normal and we must adjust to it”, he explained.

Impact on churches

Rev. Frimpong-Manso stressed that “money is not number one priority for churches. The church needs money to pay bills and pay pastors but not number one priority”.

“We use these monies for the benefit of mankind but because the few churches and pastors are not conducting themselves in a good manner, people have mischievously lumped all churches together and that has been mischievous”, he said.

He admitted that though churches were somehow affected, he was not worried knowing that “this too shall pass”. Tithes and offering were affected because businesses were closed, income reduced, remittances from abroad also stopped and among others, he remarked.