Some churches in Ghana are kicking against a presidential advice to reopen after the restrictions on religious gatherings were eased.
The restrictions were imposed over two months ago to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo Addo on Sunday gave the green light for 100 congregants to start having hourly worship from June 5, 2020.
He said “We cannot live with these restrictions for ever. This has informed the stakeholder consultation. A consensus has emerged from these consultations that we should embark on a strategic controlled, progressive, safe easing of restrictions to get our lives and economy back to normal.”
But the advice has been rejected by some of the churches who are uncomfortable with the directive.
On Monday Information minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah told DW that “what we are starting is a strategic phased, easing of some selected restrictions.
There used to be a blank restrictions of the operation of schools, now we are saying that final year students can go in for a limited period to prepare and write their examinations and get out of the schools.
The religious activities we are saying can resume for abridged services that means not more than one hour with the wearing of masks, washing of hands, using of sanitizers.”
However, in a statement on Monday, the Head Pastor for Makers House Chapel, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, said they remain closed until the restrictions are eased further due to their numbers.
“Looking at our congregation size, number of services required, health of the active players in a service, overhead cost, I deem it fit to announce to you that TMH (Destiny Arena) will remain closed for some time until we have clarity and the sanctions relaxed some more.
I will entreat all of you to bear the church and its membership in prayer,” he said in a statement.
Another church the Destiny Empowerment Chapel cautioned its congregants not to engage in acts that will make them die prematurely because of ignorance.
As a result all Church activities will remain virtual until further notice, according to the church statement.
Another local pastor, Leonard Ackon told Africa Feeds that “I feel some level of uneasiness. It is going to be challenging and if we are not careful the church could be the centre where the virus might spread quickly.
In as much as it sounds great idea but I think that it is going to be quite challenging.”
Ghana has so far recorded over 8000 cases of coronavirus with 36 deaths and over 2000 recoveries.
Source: Africafeeds.com
