Some Members of Parliament from both sides of the House have called for a legislation, to regulate the operations of churches in the country.
This came to light when the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Mr. Ekow Hayford presented a statement at the Plenary, recommending a legislation to regulate the activities and operations of all churches.
In his statement, Mr. Hayford pointed out that although the 1992 Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship, some innocent people are being exploited by some individuals, claiming to be ”men of God”.
He indicated that it is time for Parliament to take a decision to see how best, to clamp down on the activities of some churches.
In contributing to the statement, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Mr. Ebenezer Nii Narh Nartey pointed out that some churches are nuisance to the society, and that there should be a way to close down those churches.
He indicated that the insanity by some of the religious faith in the society has come under serious concern by the public.
In citing some of the acts of some religious leaders, Mr. Narh Nartey reiterated that some men of God hide behind miracle and exploit innocent and vulnerable people for their personal gains.
“The level of insanity should be dealt with dispassionately. Pastors are now giving lotto numbers. Others instruct their congregants to carry fifty kilograms of cement for healing. How can this be encouraged in the name of healing? Bottle water are now being sold by some of these churches for over GH2,000 just for a miracle. This is unacceptable”, Mr. Narh Nartey lamented.
Mr. Narh Nartey further explained that churches that are not under any self regulating bodies, thus the Christian Council of Ghana, the Penticostal Churches of Ghana, among other bodies should be closed downdown to ensure sanity.
Counter statement
However, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, held a different view on the attempt to regulate churches.
Mr. Nartey George averred that it will be wrong for Parliament to pass a legislation on the activities and the regulations of churches in the country.
He argued that the call for a wholistic regulation would be dangerous for the country, and that a legislation on the administration of churches will rather serve in the best interest of the country.
He added that although there are charlatans presenting themselves as genuine pastors, it is important for Parliament not to overlook some of the contributions of churches to the societies.
The Ningo-Prampram MP noted that any attempt by the State to regulate religious expressions in the country could have significant consequences.
The Speaker of Parliament referred the statement to a joint committee; Parliamentary Select Committees on Youth, Sports and Culture, and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and presentation of report to the Plenary within one month.
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
