China Medical Team Supports Korle-Bu

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

MEMBERS OF a Chinese medical team undertaking a clinical exchange programme at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) have donated some medical equipment to the hospital.

The items worth $134,166 include a testing machine, monitors, spina and general surgery instrument, foreign body forceps, nephroscope, syringe, infusion and medical injection pumps and a pneumatic stock type.

Professor Wei Jian Rui, a cardiologist and the team’s leader, said the donation was meant to meet the medical requirements for treatment of patients at the hospital.

He added that through their work at the hospital, the team identified the lack of certain instruments hence the donation by the Chinese government.

He therefore urged the KBTH Neurological Department to transfer and install the equipments as quickly as possible saying “I know there are people waiting for their cases to be treated.”

Chinese Counselor to Ghana, Gao Wenzhi, who presented the items on behalf of the team, noted that without good health, people will not be strong and contribute to the prosperity of the nation.

He also observed that at the recent Beijing Summit, the Chinese government as part of its support, dispatched groups of medical teams to Africa and that Ghana is one of the beneficiary countries.

“The team consists of medical experts of high medical qualifications who have worked together with other doctors in Korle-Bu for a year and a half.”

He therefore hoped that the instruments will strengthen the medical capabilities of the hospital as health care improves.

“I hope that KBTH will play bigger roles in medical services for patients not only in Ghana but also in West Africa,” he added.

The Board Chairman of KBTH, Professor Seth Aryeetey, on behalf of the government, thanked the team for their donation.

He said Ghana’s relationship with China had grown into a fruitful one elaborating that the benefits to be derived from the donation was worth more than the money spent on it.

“It is going to translate into helping the men, women and children who will be treated so that they can become strong and productive citizens of Ghana,” he noted.

The Chief Executive Officer of KBTH, Professor Nii Otu Nartey who was touched by the presentation, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for the donation.

He said, “They have took notice of our plight and challenges and have brought these things. This is going to improve significantly on the kind of work we do here.”

He charged others to emulate the example of the Chinese medical team adding, “If other groups follow, then we can significantly solve the problems of KBTH.”

Professor Wei Jian Rui (first right) and Gao Wenzhi (second right) presenting the equipment to Professors Seth Aryeetey (second left) and Nii Otu Nartey (first left).

NHIS Law under review

By Ruth Oppong-Nyarko & Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

THE CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, has observed that there will soon be a law to allow the scheme to operate as an independent legal entity with regards to accountability and efficiency.

“The law under review has been gazetted and submitted to parliament,” he added.
Addressing a delegation from Congo Brazzaville, the CEO admitted that the scheme had gone through some challenges. “We don’t have a perfect system but what is good is that we have a good political system,” he said.

He explained that the system is facing expenditure challenges as the outflows are exceeding inflows, adding that claim payments account for more than 75 per cent of total income generated from taxes and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

“GH¢394.27 million representing 76.2 per cent was used as payments of claims for the year 2010,” he noted.

He noted that the insurance covers up to 95% of health related issues in the country but cautioned the Congolese government not to go that far as that country is new in that area.

Mr. Mensah also observed that the scheme is undertaking some strategies in order to ensure universal health care coverage for all Ghanaians.
“With the consolidated premium account as well as the claims processing center that the scheme has created, all premiums collected is now managed at the district level,” he said.

Mr. Mensah stated that the system currently operates on three schemes: district mutual scheme, private mutual scheme and private commercial scheme, adding that the objective of the service is securing the provision of basic healthcare services to persons resident in Ghana.

He was hopeful that there will soon be a time when foreigners will have to provide health insurance coverage before being accepted into the country.

The delegation lead by Sinibagoy Nollet Bayi, lauded the Ghanaian authorities for sustaining the system and also being able to achieve such a height in the health sector adding that this informed the team’s visit.

“We have come as a result of the fact that the Congolese government is putting up health insurance for all and because Ghana has been in it since 2003, we have come to know how it is faring with regards to challenges and satisfaction.”

He also commended the NHIS for a good relationship between the various intuitions operating under it.

Commenting on the one-time premium payment, Mr. Mensah said that although it will face challenges, it will help generate stock that can go into investment. “We have conducted a consumer survey and it has shown that people are willing to join the one time premium system,” he said

The Congo Brazzaville delegation in a group photograph with management of NHIS.

Restructure NHIS
-Muntaka

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

THE CHAIRMAN of the parliamentary-select committee on health, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak has called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to undertake constructive decisions in order to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) suitable more for Ghanaians.
He said even though the authority is at liberty to tap into the experiences of other countries with regards to best practices, it must ensure that the scheme is appropriate for the Ghanaian populace.
“We should look at best practices from other jurisdictions but we must provide a scheme that will work for us as Ghanaians,” he said.
Alhaji Muntaka made the recommendation at the second NHIS stakeholders’ forum held in Accra themed: “Building Stakeholder Consensus towards Quality and Sustainability.”

He said government is making all the necessary amendments to ensure the early release of funds by the Ministry of Finance to the authority.
“Government is doing all it can to resolve the challenge the Ministry of Finance is facing with the release of funding to NHIA.”
He further called on the authority to increase their coverage adding that 51% of those covered are persons below eighteen years of age.
“This means that those that are paying are not properly covered. Act 650 of 2003 mandates every person to register for the scheme,” he noted.
Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, also affirmed government’s commitment to the scheme.
“Last week, I laid before parliament a bill to replace the existing NHIS law,” he said.
He noted that the law which is undergoing changes will help the authority operate more efficiently.
The sector minister however suggested computerization of registered persons under the scheme to reduce the volume of NHIS cards in hospitals.

The Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah, said the aim of holding the forum was to express the authority’s commitment to transparency and its willingness to learn in order to improve the quality of service provided to the country.
“This forum will also help in sustaining the standard we have set in quality health delivery as well as solicit views, ideas and concerns on how we can move forward,” he explained.
He further noted that the scheme had reached its present stage as a result of the strong non-partisan political will in the country.
This, he said had enabled the authority to make claim payments within 60 days instead of the previous payment duration of nine months.
Mr. Mensah said the authority had also made great strides in its financial management adding “the first annual report of NHIS will be on our website next week.”

Restructure NHIS
-Muntaka
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

THE CHAIRMAN of the parliamentary-select committee on health, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak has called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to undertake constructive decisions in order to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) suitable more for Ghanaians.
He said even though the authority is at liberty to tap into the experiences of other countries with regards to best practices, it must ensure that the scheme is appropriate for the Ghanaian populace.

“We should look at best practices from other jurisdictions but we must provide a scheme that will work for us as Ghanaians,” he said.
Alhaji Muntaka made the recommendation at the second NHIS stakeholders’ forum held in Accra themed: “Building Stakeholder Consensus towards Quality and Sustainability.”
He said government is making all the necessary amendments to ensure the early release of funds by the Ministry of Finance to the authority.
“Government is doing all it can to resolve the challenge the Ministry of Finance is facing with the release of funding to NHIA.”
He further called on the authority to increase their coverage adding that 51% of those covered are persons below eighteen years of age.
“This means that those that are paying are not properly covered. Act 650 of 2003 mandates every person to register for the scheme,” he noted.
Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, also affirmed government’s commitment to the scheme.
“Last week, I laid before parliament a bill to replace the existing NHIS law,” he said.
He noted that the law which is undergoing changes will help the authority operate more efficiently.
The sector minister however suggested computerization of registered persons under the scheme to reduce the volume of NHIS cards in hospitals.
The Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah, said the aim of holding the forum was to express the authority’s commitment to transparency and its willingness to learn in order to improve the quality of service provided to the country.
“This forum will also help in sustaining the standard we have set in quality health delivery as well as solicit views, ideas and concerns on how we can move forward,” he explained.
He further noted that the scheme had reached its present stage as a result of the strong non-partisan political will in the country.
This, he said had enabled the authority to make claim payments within 60 days instead of the previous payment duration of nine months.
Mr. Mensah said the authority had also made great strides in its financial management adding “the first annual report of NHIS will be on our website next week.”

Caption: The Minister of Health in a discussion with Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Elias Sory at the event.

‘Political Will Is Key to Ghana’s Development’®

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

PROFESSOR KWAME Addo, an architect and former consultant for the government of Ghana in the environment, petroleum, tourism and housing sectors, has stated that a strong political will on the part of politicians is imperative to Ghana’s infrastructural development.
“Strong political will as we know is the very force to make something happen,” he said.
Professor Addo made these statements during a media interaction in Accra aimed at reinterpreting Ghana’s developmental process by effectively balancing the influence of traditional resources and orthodox ideals.
Speaking on the topic “New Visions” which is a call to national renewal, Professor Addo said comprehensive planning coupled with a strong political will is the heart of equitable national development.
“All human settlements need housing, safer and more environmentally friendly public transport, improved tenure and access to land, social infrastructure and services,” he noted.
He added that planning will work only if there is a decoded national vision reflecting good governance and the underprivileged are brought into decision making processes that affect their lives.
There is therefore the need to consider what, when, where and how to harmonize infrastructural development, social programmes and the societal mind set, he said.
Professor Addo noted that a decoded national vision without the right mind set of the people will cause the vision to collapse.
“That is why political will is the key and the final frontier for changing the mind set of our people.”
He added that we must change from the mindset of watching things happen to the mindset that makes things happen.
“The watching end is very comfortable because you only sit and watch, but we must get up and act for ‘now’ is the future!” he said.

Ashaiman Flooding: A Year After
Posted on May 28, 2011

BY Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Almost a year ago on June 20, 2010, a heavy downpour lasting over 12 hours caused severe flooding in the Ashaiman municipality and its surrounding areas resulting in over 17 deaths and the displacement of over 9,000 people.

Amid concerns that a similar incident may re-occur, stakeholders and members of the Ashaiman community, a suburb of Tema are taking preventive measures to stop flooding and ensure minimal damage and injuries during this year’s rainy season.

Last year’s heavy downpour caused the overflow of the Gbemi and Amatsuru streams, which meet at a confluence and flow through the Ashaiman township. The water engulfed the surrounding communities and destroyed people’s property and other possessions.

The deceased ranging between the ages of three and 65 were both men and women. A total of 547 people were injured, while 9,314 people belonging to 1,318 families were displaced.

Some of the victims drowned as a result of rising waters in their homes, while others died trying to swim across the stream to safety or to save relatives.

Motorists and commuters were not left out as some were washed away in the torrential rain.

Some homes along the stream’s banks and waterways were almost completely submerged with waters rising as high as the roof. The displaced sought temporary shelter in schools, mosques and with relatives in the municipality. Others left the area to start their lives over elsewhere.

The communities most affected by the flood disaster were Jericho, Roman Down, Market Square, Valco Flat, Asensu, Community 22, New Town, the community along the motorway, the Ashaiman Dam Site and Mamomo. The incident has left an indelible print in the minds of everyone in the community, and has raised serious concerns about flood and disaster preparations.

Relief Items

Following the floods, the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly compensated the families of the deceased with GH¢500 each to cover funeral and burial rites expenses. With the support of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Assembly also provided various relief items such as food, clothing, drinking water, blankets and mosquito nets.

Compassionate individuals with giving hearts would not be left out and offered their support as well. Such people included the Assin North MP and humanitarian par excellence, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings as well as the Catholic Church and other organizations.

The Ministry of Health visited the community and organized a programme about post-disaster health risks. According to the Assembly, although there were concerns about an outbreak of cholera and other diseases, the intervention of the health directorate relieved any serious widespread dangers.

In the following months, a Municipal Flood Committee was set up to coordinate the relief effort, and a GH¢40,000 Fund was put together to procure more relief items for victims. The estimated costs of extracting the flood waters amounted to approximately GH¢260,000.

Almost a year later, families continue to struggle to rebuild their lives. Businesses and livelihoods were either seriously disrupted or permanently destroyed.

What Caused The Flood?

There are different reports as to what exactly caused the flooding. The official reaction and community reaction do not provide the same account about what caused the Gbemi and Amatsuru streams to overflow.

The Assembly states that the 12-hour rainfall on June 20, 2010 accumulated and flooded the area. Kwasi Adu Gyamfi, Public Relations Officer of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, states that the Assembly took preventive measures to tear down illegal homes along the banks of the Gbemi and Amatsuru to minimize deaths in case of a flood.

“We undertook a demolition exercise along the Gbemi and Amatsuru steams which meet at a confluence at Jeri fish pond where they form a bigger stream and then move into the houses when they overflow,” he said.

The Assembly maintained that the illegal homes increased the chance of floods and would have led to many more causalities had they been allowed to remain along the bank. “If the Assembly had not demolished those structures, the disaster would have been worse. The death tolls would have been in the hundreds,” said Gyamfi.

The evicted residents were not compensated for their structures because according to the Assembly, they were illegal to begin with. “I know that the people will say the assembly demolished their buildings without any compensation,” Gyamfi stated “Then tell them that if they have genuine permits, they should come to the assembly for compensation.”

The effort was part of a move to standardize property construction in the area. All structures without permits were demolished, although as Gyamfi readily admits, very few homes in the municipality have ever been issued with permits. “I can tell you that about 70 to 80 percent of the buildings in this municipality do not have building permits,” he said.

“The assembly is now trying to regularize its operations by giving out building permits.”

Victims’ Testimonies

The community’s account of the incident is a different story. Residents state that the building materials that fell into the streams after the destruction of homes along the banks choked the waterways and caused the floods.

Awal Osman, a butcher and resident of “Roman down”, who has lived along the streams since 1994 said the area had never experienced flooding until the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly undertook the demolition exercise which affected his home. Osman’s statement was corroborated by numerous residents of Ashaiman who spoke to DAILY GUIDE and collectively insisted that they had never experienced flooding close to that magnitude until the Assembly had undertaken the demolition exercise.

“The reasons why we were affected by last year’s floods is because they came and demolished our houses and the debris all fell and filled the gutter,” Osman said.

He elaborated, “The blocks they broke all went into the gutter so there is no way for the rain water to flow. So it came into the rest of the houses.”

He said that his home was demolished without any prior notice: “All we saw was ‘IN DANGER’ written on our houses then they broke down our homes. The water also took all our belongings away.”

Osman confirmed the Assembly’s assertion that very few home owners in Ashaiman possess permits. He did not understand why the houses along the banks were targeted, especially since the debris from the destruction caused the flooding.

Although the Assembly promised to build a functioning drainage along the bank, the community has not seen any work done to prevent further flooding. The Assembly is instead constructing two bridges across the streams, and is planning to build a third, he lamented.

Osman does not understand why they are not digging the gutters which are urgently needed with the rainy season underway. “They brought in heaps of sand in place of the buildings they destroyed and said they were going to build the gutter but we have not seen any work being done here.”

Isaac Quanpah, another Ashaiman resident who has lived in the area since 1992 offered his perspective. “It is the demolition of the buildings that caused the flooding. When they did the demolition they did not take care of the wreckage,” said Quanpah.

Quanpah continued, “The gutter is being chocked with mud so they have to desilt it. That wasn’t done so any rain and the gutter overflows.”

Another resident and shepherd, Alhaji Ibrahim Issah, lost three of his four children to the flood. Fifty seven of his sheep also perished. Issah recounted the details of that fateful day to DAILY GUIDE saying “my family was in the room when it was submerged in water.

We were all struggling to come out. Three of our four children had drowned in the room.

Those of us that survived had to stay on the roof for the water to subside.”

Issah was reluctant to state that the destruction of homes along the bank caused the flood.

Instead he accepted the loss of his children by saying “For us we were here when the floods came so whatever God wishes he does it. So we can’t say whether it was the demolition that caused the flooding or not.” Issah hopes the gutter will be reconstructed so that last year’s tragic event will not repeat itself.

Preventing Future Disasters

There has been no concerted effort on the part of the community to officially inquire about the actions of the Municipal Assembly. There is no clear leader and residents are confused about who to hold accountable and how. “We did not take any action against them because our local leaders did not tell us anything. We even went on demonstration about three to four months ago because of the demolition of the houses but we did not see any results,” said Awal Osman.

Quanpah questioned the priorities of the Assembly. “What I want the assembly to do is to drain the gutter so that when it rains, the water can flow and not enter our homes,” he said. “What they have been able to do is to extend the bridge. We are hearing that they will build the gutter but we have not seen anything.”

He demanded immediate action from the MCE. “What we want the government to do is to come and make the gutter fine for us and grow green grass around it so that it will prevent erosion,” said Quanpah.

Ashaiman Municipal PRO, Kwasi Adu Gyamfi said the Municipal Assembly is taking measures to prevent a recurrence of last year’s disaster. He stated that the assembly was in the process of rebuilding the bridges that were demolished by the flood. “We have been able to finish one out of the three bridges which is the Valco Flat, the Ashaiman Lebanon is under construction as well as the Roman down bridge,” he said.

Mr. Gyamfi however noted that the construction of the drain through which the stream flows was a capital intensive venture. He said because of this, advancement of the project has been slow even though government and donors like the World Bank have promised the start of the project in June 2011.

“The cost of constructing the drains from community 22 to Jericho has not been estimated yet but it will run into hundreds of Ghana Cedis,” he says.

In spite of the delay, Gyamfi stated the Municipal Assembly is putting measures in place to avoid a situation like last year’s.

“Yes we have been taking a lot of measures, one is educating the people to stop throwing rubbish in the stream which ends up choking it; we also do community interface and sensitization programs,” he said.

He continued: “we are also opening up the gutters with the help of government because we do not want a situation where what happened last year will reoccur.”

On behalf of the community Gyamfi called on government, humanitarian organizations and micro finance lending agencies to assist the victims with small credit loans to rebuild their lost businesses.

“They need help so that they can expand their businesses, cater for their children and develop sustainable livelihoods,” said Gyamfi.

With the onset of the rainy season, frustrated residents in Ashaiman are anxiously waiting for the MCE and central government to act and act fast.

Sex Scandals In The Church
Posted on June 11, 2011
BY Jamila Akweley Okertchiri and Ruth Oppong–Nyarko
Pastor Addy arrested for allegedly licking the vagina of a 32-year-old woman and Prophet Nicholas Osei aka Kumchacha, leader of Heaven Gate Ministries, was arrested for allegedly attempting to use his sex organ to remove an evil spirit which he claimed was hiding in the private parts of a married woman, Gifty Acheampong, in Kumasi

Pastor Arrested For Fondling Woman’s Breasts’, ‘Pastor Arrested For Licking Woman’s Private Part’, ‘Pastor Jailed 10 Years for Defilement’, ‘Pastor Jailed 19 Years’, ‘Pastor Jailed’, ‘Evangelist Jailed 20 years’, ‘Pastor Nabbed Naked’- these are just a few recent headlines of newspapers and bulletins.

It seems that a month does not pass without a news item on a self-styled ‘man of God’ getting involved in a sexual escapade with a female member of his church.

These scandals have raised several concerns in our society and have the public wondering if church members know what is going on or perhaps are ignorant of the prevailing situation, as one scandal follows the other.

Pastors who engage in this activity convince their victims through false prophecy.

One infamous victim testimony went as follows: “Pastor Addy came to my house, asked me to pray with him and that he had some bad revelations about me. While we were praying, he undressed me and started licking my vagina.”

Evangelist Okpala Ogugua was arrested for inflicting multiples wounds on his victim with a broken bottle

These are the words of a 32-year-old woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a pastor at Omanjor near Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.

Other abusive pastors who are not considered good at prophesying or perhaps don’t have a permanent church go for other alternatives.

Another victim testified about her experience, saying: “He hired me for a short time at a cost of GH¢10. I told him to pay additional money before I would allow him [to continue].

In the process of our struggle, he attempted to stab me.”

The 19-year-old commercial sex worker was nearly stabbed with a broken bottle by a self-styled evangelist client in their hotel room.

These kinds of situations are becoming more frequent and alarming, and are dragging the name of true men of God in the mud, and tarnishing the word of God.

Speaking on the issue, the chairman of the Christian Council, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, expressed worry over the issue of people being referred to as ‘men of God’ when they do not qualify for that title.

“I believe that in our days, when we say man of God, we use it loosely to refer to somebody who calls himself a pastor or an evangelist; so a man of God, in that sense to most people, is anybody who carries the bible and is preaching the word,” he said.

The Director of the Methodist Development and Relief Service, Rev Kofi Asare Bediako, also expressed worry over the upsurge in these sex scandals, saying that “it is regrettable that such things are going on”.

Evangelist Akwasi Oppong was allegedly caught red-handed by a policeman trying to rape a victim

He added that the problem with most church members is that they no longer depend on God for interventions in their problems, but rather, “Members have become miracle crazed and instead of them waiting on God to intervene in their problems, they run up to their pastors to seek immediate help.”

This was confirmed in a particular case described by an Agogo District Police Commander, Ekow Yawson, who said, “The complainant heard the prophet preaching on radio where he said he had powers to solve problems faced by people; so those in tribulations should come to him for help.”

“The lady then visited the pastor for the prayers and was later invited to his home for further prayers. When she reached his house, the pastor then invited her into his room where he is said to have touched the woman’s breasts and forced her into having sex,” Mr. Yawson observed.

Rev. Asare further stated that most people, because of the situation they are in, do not realise that counseling should be done in the office of the pastors.

“Christianity is dependant on God and church members should put on their thinking caps when such invitations to hotels by pastors are extended,” Asare noted.

He was however quick to note that the problem is societal, and that members should see pastors as humans just like themselves and are “thus bound to fall at a point in time.”

In another interview with Rev. Atta Aggrey, a Senior Associate Pastor of Royalhouse Chapel, he lauded the media for bringing such issues to the limelight as these things have been happening since time immemorial.

Prophet Nana Yirenkyi is serving a 10-year jail term for defiling his 10-year-old daughter

“The extent to which the media is searching for information and broadcasting, it is why it is coming out so loudly but it is something that has been in existence for long,” he explained.

He added that the Bible has already sounded this warning that in these last days the enemy will intensify his activities, “His agents will now move into certain areas that if we do not stand well the many good things we have built over the years will be shattered within days.”

He however noted that pastors, especially the young ones who desire to get into the ministry, should first seek God and find out what the Bible expects of them.

POTENTIAL CAUSES
Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante said in a country where there is freedom of expression and association, one cannot put a finger on the main causes of indecent acts by some pastors.

He was however quick to note that “Ghanaians are gullible when it comes to religious matters. We are hesitant to confront people who claim to be ‘men of God’. They use this as an advantage and exploit people’s situation and problems when they go for help”.

“This is why I believe that we need to educate people to understand that in spite of their problems, they should take your sense along,” he added.

He further stated that there are some tempters who are also being used as tools of the enemy to destroy the work of God.

Asante added, “That is why we pray to the lord that He will not lead us into temptation. If you leave yourself unguarded, you will be tempted and you will disgrace yourself, your church, your Lord and your family.”

He noted that if one calls himself a man of God, then he bears the name of the Lord and must therefore seek to honor the Lord in the way he conducts his life.

He further stressed that the religious world is a dangerous world because a lot of people are using the word of God for their own ends.

“That is why it is important for the true men and women of God to teach and open the minds and eyes of their people by emphasizing the word of God,” the Most Rev. said.

INTERVENTIONS
In response to the alarming rate of incidences, government released a statement on 2nd June, instructing the police to, as a matter of urgency, set up special desks to deal with the alarming reports of sexual misconduct perpetrated by pastors.

The government further asked the Media Commission and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to agree on guidelines for religious broadcasts in a bid to end the exploitation and misdirection of those who seek help from the pastors.

Government’s action to deal with pastors who take undue advantage of their members has also received approval from the Christian Council of Ghana and other media organizations.

Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante also emphasized the need for laws to be enforced when people commit such criminal offences.

He elaborates, “If somebody rapes a woman or sexually assaults her, it is a criminal offence and the law enforcement agencies must deal with that person.”

Also, the General Secretary of the council, Rev. Fred Deegbe, in an interview with a radio station in Accra, said the council will disown any pastor who is found culpable.

“The actions of these pastors are crimes against the state and the state should deal with them according to the laws,” Rev. Deegbe emphasized.

Most Rev. Prof. Asante expressed concern over the conduct of self-styled men of God who do not belong to any Christian organization.

“Members of the council will be dealt with if they flout its constitution, but if the culprit does not belong to any Christian organization, who disciplines them?” Asante quizzed.

He stressed that it is important for the legislature to come up with a law that will mandate pastors to belong to a Christian body which is registered with a code of conduct.

“When such a thing is put in our hands, we will be strengthened to deal with perpetuators,” he said.

Mr. Asante, who doubles as the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, also noted that within the Methodist church, one has to undergo thorough interviews, even after extensive theological training, before being ordained as a minister.

A church auditorium

“But because we are living in a nation where there is freedom of expression and association, we cannot stop people who legally acquire a property and use it as a church or start what they now call ‘ministry’. We are not in the position to stop that person,” he noted.

The Director of the Methodist Development and Relief Service, Rev. Kofi Asare Bediako, also entreated church members to put on their thinking caps when they encounter such problems with their pastors.

“It is high time members are taught to have a personal relationship with God instead of expecting everything to be done by the church leaders,” Reverend Bediako stated.

Rev. Atta Aggrey, Senior Associate Pastors of Royalhouse Chapel, also admonished pastors to imitate Christ and learn from Christian leaders who have passed the test of time in their calling as men of God.

He however appealed to his fellow men in the clergy to always be alert since the enemy is seeking the people of God to devour.

He stressed the need to monitor these incidents and preempt them before they take place.

“I think it is becoming clearer for people to know that these teachings we have been hammering on are the areas they need to be watchful and mindful of,” Rev Aggrey said.