The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Ghana, Reverend Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso says the clergy cannot accept attempts to pass legislation aimed at regulating the activities of churches in Ghana.
The Christian Council, GPCC and the likes he said also need to monitor and even regulate the conduct and activities of all Christian sects. Meanwhile parliament is expected to investigate and prescribe regulations for church activities in the country, following a directive from the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye.
Speaking at the Induction Service of Reverend Dr. David Noble-Brister as South-West Regional Superintendent for the Assemblies of God Ghana at the Word of Life Assemblies of God Church in Takoradi, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso wonders how church activities which are faith based, could be regulated.
Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso, who is also the Chairman for Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches (GPCC) stated that “We cannot accept any such law. This is not the first attempt to regulate the activities of churches. It would be recalled that former President Rawlings introduced the PNDC Law 221 during his time as head of state and it failed massively. Faith simply cannot be regulated because even as Christians, we have different sects who preach and practice different doctrines which influence our behavior although we all have Christ as our fulcrum. How do you determine which practice is acceptable and which is not? I have heard references to the Rwanda and their leader Paul Kigali. I find such comparisons to be wrong because contextually, there is not much to even compare. And Rwanda is not exactly the paragon of the Christian ministry for them, to be the standard to which we are held.”
However, he admits the conducts of some prophets, pastors as well as some church members leaves much to be desired and cause for concern. He further agrees with the concerns raised by parliamentarians, the GPCC and the Christian Council over the conducts of some prophets and pastors. Rev.Prof. Frimpong-Manso emphasized “some of the things we have seen and heard are unspeakable and need to be checked. It is in this regard that I believe we need to live above reproach.” He however advised that Christians must stick to the basic message of Christ and seek God’s grace to provide the answers the congregants seek.
Rev.Prof. Frimpong-Manso during the ceremony inducted Rev. Dr. David Noble-Brister into office as the Regional Superintendent of South-Western Region and takes over from Rev. Kojo Impraim.
The Assemblies of God, Ghana has 24 Regional Administrative offices across Ghana. The South-West Region was created out of the then Western Region in 2014.
