In spite of the easing of restrictions on social gatherings by the President, which includes the reopening of religious activities, some churches say they will remain closed until they see the need for them to reopen.
The president in his 10th televised address announced that with effect from 5th June 2020, churches and mosques can start meeting with a maximum congregation of 100 amidst the mandatory wearing of nose mask. Per the President’s directives, religious activities should be within a period but not exceeding 1 hour.
In line with that, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mr Kofi Dzamesi further outlined some guidelines for churches to observe while they operate amidst the pandemic.
Nevertheless, churches such as the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International, Makers House Chapel and the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) have said that they will not be in a hurry to embrace the restrictions and operate physically.
You can check this: Gov’t is not oblivious of the implications of easing Covid19 restrictions – Info Minister
A statement by the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International sighted by ATL FM NEWS said, the church was allowing things to “cool down” before they engage in social gathering.
“Church will always be there for us to worship as Christians. What matters is we need life to serve our God. Let’s not down play wisdom with Spirituality”, the statement said.
Speaking in an interview with ATL FMNEWS, head pastor of the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International, Dr. Bernard Alfresa Taylor said his church service will remain virtual until at least the next 4 weeks.
Dr. Taylor said, being in the USA, he has observed how the coronavirus has claimed lives and as a result believes, it is only prudent for Ghanaians to know that the virus is “very serious”. “We want things to come down, we want to take it easy”, he said.
He explained that the decision to reopen is not because of his absence in Ghana, but because the church does not want to compromise wisdom with spirituality.
“I have my wife who is a pastor, I have other pastors… It has nothing to do with me, it has everything to do with the fact that wisdom teaches that we should take our time”, he explained.
In the same vein, the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), has instructed that none of the church’s local assembly shall be opened for worship until instructed to do so by the leadership.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the church, Rev. Morris Appiah said members will continue to fellowship via media platforms since the situation now demands a consideration of the health of its members.
The ICGC explains that it will use the month of June “to assess, monitor, and evaluate all protocols in the simulation exercises with selected assemblies in various districts.”
Head pastor of the Maker’s House Chapel, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye has said that the church will also “remain closed for some time until we have clarity and the sanctions relaxed some more”.
“We are looking at our congregation size; number of services required; health of the active players in a service; overheard cost; pressure on equipment and facility and the logistics to put in place, writing of names per service and submitting it to authorities as well as the Covid-19 protocols”, a statement from the church said.
Currently, Ghana’s case count of Covid-19 is 8, 297 cases, with 2,986 recoveries. Thirty eight (38 ) persons have died of the infection in Ghana.
Source: Victoria Adonu/ATLFMNEWS
