Don’t stampede Akufo-Addo into reopening churches – Frimpong Manso

Rev. Professor Frimpong-Manso, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, has asked members of the religious body not to rush the president into taking a decision to reopen churches in the wake of the increasing numbers of the COVID-19 in Ghana.

He told Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise show on 3FM Thursday May 21 that he would have wished that the churches are opened because they can serve as agent for education for the COVID-19, but if the president, in his own wisdom thinks it is not safe to reopen churches, he should be given all the cooperation.

As part of the efforts to deal with the problem, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo placed a ban on all social gathering including church services.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana has risen to 6,269 on May 20, according to the Ghana Health Service.

The number of recoveries has also risen to 1,898 from 1,773. The death toll remains the same – 31.

Prof Frimpong-Manso told Ocansey that: “Three things could have happened if the churches had been opened; It could have increased the numbers because it is already increasing; they could have made a number stable or it might have played no significant role; they might have even probably decreased the numbers. But I am glad that we have not been operating until now but that should not be the status quo forever.

“If the churches are given the chance, provided they obey the safety protocols, I think they could have done something.

“Those who come to church are the same people who go to the market, the same people who flood certain places, the same people who go to funerals so there are some guidelines for these people.

“Even though they are observing these guidelines, it’s increasing.

“I believe that the church could have been an agent of educating and teaching and supporting the frontliners in making things happened.

“Nevertheless, should the president feel or should he think that it is still not right, he has got the mandate and no church should fight him, or try to feel that by all means we should come.”