Veteran highlife musician and television host Akosua Agyaponghas taken a swipe at pastors she believes are being dishonest about premarital sex.
Speaking on JoyPrime TV on April 10, 2025, during a discussion about sex before marriage, Agyapong accused some church leaders of acting contrary to their own teachings.
She claimed that while some pastors are involved in intimate relationships with their choristers and ushers, they still preach against fornication.
“Some pastors have already slept with their choristers and ushers. But when a man comes to marry them, the same pastor will say, ‘No sex before marriage!’” she said.
Agyapong questioned why such pastors still hold influence over their congregations, despite their actions contradicting their messages.
“You can call them fake, but to their congregations, they’re not. If they practised what they preached, I wouldn’t have a problem. But they should stop lying to their members,” she added.
Her comments come shortly after she stirred controversy by encouraging unmarried people to consider premarital sex.
She believes testing sexual compatibility is important for a successful marriage and helps reduce cases of infidelity and divorce.
“Fornication involves consenting adults, but adultery breaks marriages. Sometimes, we make Christianity too hard, people should worship God in truth, not under false restrictions,” she said.
Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has publicly condemned Ghanaian chiefs, pastors, imams, traditional leaders, and various civil society groups for endorsing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a video posted on social media, the former President criticized these leaders during a campaign stop at Alogblogshie Anglican Church in Accra. Mahama expressed his belief that instead of praising Bawumia, these leaders should have criticized him for what Mahama describes as the NPP’s poor governance.
“Pastors, imams, chiefs, and civil society organizations exist in this nation, and they support the NPP rather than criticizing it. It seems as though we are the evil guys when NDC says something. Instead, they should band together with us to inform the government that it’s time for you to leave because of your immorality toward Ghanaians. However, you’ll see Chiefs praising NPP for their excellent work.
“Pastors are seen praying for Bawumia in the churches, saying things like, ‘We bless you and may God give you victory,’ and ‘the government has done a good job.’ He approaches the traditionalists, and they ask their ancestors to lead him (Bawumia) and pour wine into their shrines,” the former President said.
Ghanaian legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw has revealed that he might have become a pastor if not for the influence of women, which he believes the devil used against him.
In an interview on the Delay Show, Ampaw shared that he felt called and anointed to be a man of God, a path his mother deeply wished he had pursued.
“I am a covenant child, the only thing my mum is highly disappointed about me is the fact that I didn’t become a pastor. The calling and anointing are there. I realized that the devil used women to attack my calling. That is the weapon used to attack me. It is my little weakness; if I was loose, it would have been too much,” he explained.
During the interview, Maurice Ampaw also declared himself one of the most formidable lawyers in the country, boasting an impressive track record of winning over 300 cases.
“I am one of the strongest lawyers in this country. The things I have accomplished here, no lawyer born of a woman can match. The fights I take on are the ones others shy away from. I have also made a mark on social media. I have won over 300 cases, including human rights cases for clients like Chairman Wontumi, Sarah Koblah and among others,” Ampaw shared.
A Ghanaian young man has confessed to being an accomplice to pastors who stage fake miracles to attract more people to their churches.
In an interview on Agyenkwa FM, the young man noted that he pretends to be blind and a cripple for some men of God.
According to him, he has offered such services to one Pastor Obiri Yeboah in Sunyani.
The bloke pointed out that such pastors are able to successfully carry out such fake miracles due to the gullible nature of Ghanaians and their failure to educate themselves.
The Country Director of Awsome Bible College in Kumasi and a prominent religious figure, Rev. Emmanuel Boakye, has expressed his concerns over the delay in passing the anti-LGBTQ bill into law.
The proposed anti-LGBTQI bill in Ghana has sparked a contentious debate, raising significant concerns about human rights, religious beliefs, and political implications.
President Akufo-Addo’s decision not to assent to the bill, despite its passage by parliament, has led to criticism from religious bodies and traditional leaders.
Rev. Emmanuel Boakye emphasized the potential consequences if the bill is not promptly signed into law.
Rev. Emmanuel Boakye
During a recent press conference, Rev. Boakye highlighted that homosexuality is considered an abomination and a threat to both Christianity and Ghanaian traditions in the Christian society.
He stated that religious leaders are prepared to take all necessary actions to compel President Akufo-Addo to sign the Anti-LGBTQI Bill.
Rev. Boakye warned that if President Akufo-Addo does not sign the bill immediately, he will mobilize all religious leaders to prevent the upcoming 2024 elections from taking place.
This is what we expect the Christian Council and rest to do. These men are brave than the known faces of Christian leaders we know. I said it from the onset that Akufo Addo and his NPP GOVERNMENT are evil and Anti-Christ, they claims they're God fearing but they're not. God bless pic.twitter.com/AXSvYwgw7T
Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill after three years following its introduction.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana. It proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals engaged in activities related to homosexuality and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights, organizations, and events in Ghana.
Prior to its passage, there had been several amendments to the bill. After deliberation, Parliament decided that the minimum custodial sentence has been set at three years, with a maximum of five years for promoters and sympathisers.
Additionally, individuals caught directly engaging in these activities will face a minimum sentence of six months, extendable to a maximum of three years.
Ghana is among many African countries that are working to eliminate LGBTQ activities from the society. Uganda enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws in May, which calls for the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
Already, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has described the passage of bill as “profoundly disturbing.”
Presently, President Akufo-Addo has withheld his assent to the bill over the fact that the constitutionality of the bill is being contested at the Supreme Court due to a case filed by one Richard Dela Sky.
Founder and General Overseer of Life Assembly Worship Center, Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, has asserted without proof that only seven percent of pastors in Ghana are ordained by God.
Osofo Kyiri Abosom made the remarks in an interview on Kingdom FM, where he noted that the vast majority of pastors in the country lack a genuine divine calling.
He maintained that only a small minority of religious leaders, approximately seven percent, have been anointed and chosen by God to serve in their pastoral roles.
“Pastors ordained by God are just a few, they are just 7%. The remaining are just ‘Bible pastors’,” he stated.
He noted that pastors who become pastors solely through formal training in theological institutions are not authentic pastors.
“Some go to school and they get there as a result of that, others also travel abroad and as a result of a failed life, and failure to get a job, and that’s how they ended up at the Bible school.
“Once you go to Bible school and become a pastor, it means you’re not ordained by God. Pastorship is a gift from God,” he noted.
The pastor made the comments in relation to his political ambition.
Kyiriabosom’s political career gained momentum in the lead up of and during the conduct of the 2020 general elections.
At first, it began as a mere joke, with some dismissing the news as a hoax and others resorting to ridicule and trolling.
He later surprised many when he decided to contest in the 2020 general elections. However, after the Electoral Commission declared the presidential election results, he left a lasting impact that transformed the way people perceive politics in Ghana.
As the presidential candidate of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), his venture seemed unrelatable, but it yielded far more significant outcomes than he could have ever envisioned, as he took third place after the election results were declared, beating a lot of political parties which have been in existence since time immemorial.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has entreated the Christian community to play a more active and effective role in affairs of the country.
During the induction ceremony of The Apostolic Church-Ghana on Saturday, June 24, 2023, Speaker Bagbin said that the church’s waning interest in national and political matters has had “severe consequences” on the country’s moral and social fibre.
According to him, “the politicians are part of the flock”, thus “you can’t abandon them.”
“We cannot continue to close our eyes, take a back seat and rely solely on your prayers as a replacement for discipline, hard work, and a sense of duty as patriotic citizens,” he added.
He insisted that prayer without action is not enough as “we need to be more proactive in addressing the challenges facing our country.”
Speaker Bagbin believes the church can use its influence to promote good governance, social justice, and economic development.
Speaker Bagbin’s speech was met with massive applause from the congregation.
About the induction ceremony
The induction ceremony was held at the Apostolic Resource, Conference and Retreat Centre, Frafraha near Adentan, to usher in national leaders of The Apostolic Church-Ghana into office.
Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh, the President of the church was ushered into office for the second term together with the Church’s new Vice President, Apostle Christopher Affum-Nyarko and General Secretary, Apostle Alex Boateng.
The trio were elected for their respective positions in March 2023.
Former president of The Apostolic Church-Ghana, Apostle Ebenezer Nsesa Abebrese, administered the oath of office and inducted the new officers into office.
He congratulated them on their election and urged them to take the church to the next level.
Apostle Abebrese also inducted the church’s executive team.
Two church leaders in Tanzania have been arrested by authorities for allegedly unlawfully detaining over 100 sick individuals, whom they promised to heal through prayer and traditional remedies.
The individuals were held in traditional wards, mud-walled huts with brick beds, located around the church in Nyamhinza village, Misungwi district, in the northwestern region of Mwanza.
During their detention, the individuals received no medical treatment or food and were required to find sustenance for themselves until they recovered.
Some had been confined for as long as a month. Local residents raised concerns and informed the police after several individuals who had left hospitals, including a woman who recently gave birth to twins and joined the church, died.
In response, the police intervened, returning the sick individuals to hospitals for proper medical care.
The authorities are now investigating potential deaths and the possibility of hidden bodies nearby. Mwanza regional police commander, Wilbroad Mutafungwa, stated that initial investigations did not uncover any evidence of buried bodies but maintained vigilance on the matter.
The arrested suspects, church leaders William Masum and Kabula Lushika (his wife), were found to be operating without the necessary permits for conducting worship, prayer activities, and traditional healing services.
As of now, the accused individuals have not provided any statements regarding the allegations.
“We are now doing a detailed investigation, including interrogating the suspects. Meanwhile I ask locals with classified information that will help the investigation to come forward and talk to the police,” he said.
The church is said to have been in operation for more than five years.
Independent candidate in the recent Kumawu by-election, Kwaku Duah, has revealed facts concerning the sharing of money among various persons, including chiefs, pastors, headmasters, and others, during the constituency’s recent electoral process.
According to him, the alleged vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership.
Speaking on a panel discussion on United TV’s Critical Issues on June 10, 2023, Kwaku Duah expressed his disappointment, stating that the actions taken were detrimental to democracy and undermined the principles of free and fair elections.
He emphasized that those present during the election were aware that what occurred was far from ideal and did not promote democratic values.
Providing specific insights into the distribution of funds, Duah explained, “So, what happened wasn’t good and it never helped democracy, and everybody who was there and saw what happened knows that what happened wasn’t the best. All those that they called two to three days before the elections, including queen mothers, chiefs, teachers, headmasters, hairdressers, tailors, and pastors, received varying amounts of money.”
According to his account, teachers across the constituency were given GH¢200 (Ghanaian Cedis), while headmasters received GH¢500. Other professions, such as tailors, and pastors, were also reportedly beneficiaries of the funds.
“All teachers in the constituency had GH¢200 and if you are headmaster GH¢500,” he added.
Duah’s claims were made with confidence as he stated, “I am saying on records you can go there and go and ask, yes, they gave it to them, hairdressers, everybody had GH¢500, tailors and pastors also had some. The question is why? NPP people shared the money and I am saying on it record, yes, I am saying it on record and I will get people who will come and testify that they got some.”
He further highlighted that even his own personal assistant, who is a teacher, was approached with an offer but initially declined to participate, however, upon Duah’s advice, the assistant decided to witness the events and subsequently confirmed the distribution of money to teachers.
“My own PA is a teacher, they called him and he said he won’t go but I advised him to go and witness what was happening and bring back the report. And he came to tell me that it is very true that they shared money for them.
“The chiefs, the queen mothers, and all of them. What happened in Kumawu, if that is how our democracy has taken us then it is very appalling, it is not good because we don’t have free and fair elections anymore.”
It may be recalled that the National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, denied allegations that individuals seen in viral videos were distributing items such as rice, cloth, and other goods to influence voters in the Kumawu by-election, claiming it was political propaganda orchestrated by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
However, Ernest Yaw Anim, the newly elected Member of Parliament for the Sekyere Kumawu Constituency in the Ashanti region, contradicted Nana B’s claims and acknowledged that NPP members in Kumawu did indeed share rice, cloth, and other items to voters.
Speaking on Oyerepa TV, Yaw Anim addressed accusations that he won the Kumawu by-election through dubious means.
He revealed that the individuals seen in the viral videos were active NPP members based in Kumawu who decided to conduct the donation as a Mother’s Day gift on his behalf. According to him, they acted out of love for him and the party.
“I saw the viral video and investigated the people behind the video, and I noticed the people were NPP members who teach in Kumawu. They did that because of the love they have for me and the party. So, on Mother’s Day, they decided to do the donation on my behalf. So, it was a Mother’s Day gift. What is wrong with that? Today when people buy cars for their mothers, they film it and share it on social media. This one was not meant for social media. It is unfortunate that some evil-minded people leaked the video just to accuse me of vote buying,” he explained.
Ernest Yaw Anim, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the just-ended by-election in Kumawu, emerged as the winner. He received 15,264 votes, representing 70.91% of the valid votes. Kwasi Amankwaa, who ran on the ticket of the NDC, received 3,723 votes, representing 17.29%.
Kwaku Duah, an independent candidate, secured 2,478 votes, representing 11.51%, while the other independent candidate Kwaku Dua II secured 62 votes representing 0.29%.
According to local media, two pastors of the army of faith religious movement in Angola have been detained for allegedly wearing uniforms from the country’s armed forces.
The two were detained on Wednesday by members of the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) who were wearing “red pins similar to the ones worn by army generals.”
The two will be charged with unauthorized use of a military uniform and engaging in illegal religious activities “because their sect is not registered,” according to SIC spokesperson Manuel Halaiwa.
It follows a viral video that showed the two pastors presiding over a ceremony attended by more than 80 youths – some of whom were dressed in replicas of army uniform.
The VOA recently reported that the government had launched a crackdown on unregistered churches and those that purport to perform miracles.
The sale of used condoms for some Ghanaians is no news, but those in demand of these items has left social media users dumbstruck.
One of the sperm merchants who interacted with TV3, Kiki, noted that pastors are on top of the list of buyers.
“I will not mention names, but a lot of the condoms are requested by pastors,” she said.
Kiki recounted that one of her recent transactions was with an evangelist in the Volta Region.
According to Kiki, she also has clients at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Whatever these used condoms are used for remain unknown to this sperm merchant. Kiki says she is not perturbed about having no knowledge of what the condoms are used for.
For Kiki, all she is concerned about is receiving cash for the product she provides.
• Some Ghanaian pastors have been widely criticized for sharing ‘unsolicited’ and ‘distasteful’ comments on national issues
• These outspoken pastors have been captured severally making such bold and controversial statements
• They seem to have stepped on many toes with such utterances
These outspoken men of God have been criticized for some controversial statements that made headlines in the country.
They have been subjected to intense backlash following such utterances as society expected that their status would have somewhat deterred them from passing such ‘immoral’ or in some cases ‘derogatory ‘comments.
From stating what have been tagged as ‘wrong judgements’ or opinions on societal issues, these ‘prophets’ tend to exist a little too far on the controversial side.
Let’s take a look at instances where pastors have been blasted for making controversial statements.
Osofo Kyiri Abosom on divorce, extra marital affairs
General Overseer of the Life Assembly Worship Centre, Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly known as ‘Osofo Kyiriabosom’ disclosed that his wife had jilted him following his affair with another woman.
According to the preacher cum politician, the affair had resulted in a beautiful child whom he will soon outdoor to the general public.
In an address to his congregation during a service, the 2020 flagbearer of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) noted that he is unperturbed by the said development.
While defending his actions, he explained that many beautiful women exist and therefore his wife’s decision to abandon their marriage does not bother him.
“All Ghanaians are watching me so let me set the records straight. As you can see, ‘Osofo Maame’ is no longer in her usual chair, here in church. There have been a lot of rumours about her prolonged absence. The truth is she’s no longer here. The gossip around here, note that this time I’m even speaking on live television. She has been hovering all over the place because of my beautiful child who I’ll soon show to you,” he stated.
The preacher’s comments received wild criticism, with some netizens, questioning his integrity as a preacher.
Bishop Dag Heward Mills vrs Ashanti Mornachy
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills was captured in an audio criticizing the Asantehene for not being a proactive King as he ought to be.
The bishop was caught on tape alleging that the Otumfuo’s interest lies only in playing diplomatic roles and exhibiting his ‘royalty’ at durbar’s, funerals, and so on.
Despite the fact that the ‘Man of God’ has publicly apologized for such statements which according to him were made 20 years ago, he seems to have incurred the wrath of the Kumasi Youth Association who are threatening to shut down branches of the Lighthouse Chapel International in the region.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has been described as ‘unsolicited ‘and distasteful by Ghanaians across social media
Owusu Bempah’s comments about Chief Imam
Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah claimed to have witnessed signs that suggest that the Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, would die in 2019. The Glorious Word and Power Ministry, General Overseer made such predictions during the church’s New Year eve.
His prophecies at that time angered some Muslim youth who destroyed the glass windows, billboards, and other properties belonging to the popular preacher. Days after the incident, Rev. Owusu Bempah stormed the Chief Imam’s residence to apologize for his action.
Agyinasare’s comments on banking sector clean-up
The Perez Chapel presiding bishop was in hot waters for criticizing the government over the collapse of some local banks.
Bishop Charles Agyinasare, during a sermon in 2020 asked whether the locally-owned uniBank, GN Bank and UT Bank could not have been salvaged by the Bank of Ghana during its financial sector clean-up exercise.
During a sermon in July 2020, which was themed: ‘Getting rid of envy’, Bishop Agyinasare said the same “demons” that possessed politicians in the days of old to collapse local businesses still lingers.
“The demons are still at work today and we must exorcise this nation from that demon otherwise we are far from going forward. I have been asking myself: So, for Dr Kwabena Duffuor, under whose time as Minister of Finance, we had the best economic growth rate of 14 percent, there was nothing we could do with his bank?
“What about Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, who introduced or expanded susu banking and had branches than any commercial bank with more customers? Then, my own Amoabeng, who helped me grow my money to my first $100,000, which I withdrew and gave out for the building of the Dome, as part of my contribution. Could nothing have been done to salvage some of these great institutions?” the Perez Chapel International founder asked.
His comments attracted several criticisms from some government officials including Assin Central MP, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong who believes blasted the preacher for speaking without facts.
Rev. Obofuor’s ‘cheating advice’ to men
In November 2020, General overseer of the Anointed Palace Chapel, Rev. Obofour advised men to be tactical with their extra-marital affairs.
In what was meant to be his advice for a newly wedded couple, he was captured in a viral video advising the groom to keep all his sexual escapades with other mistresses private.
It can be recalled that while officiating a wedding ceremony between gospel musician, Brother Sammy’s manager (Romeo), and his long-time girlfriend, Rev. Obofour said:
“Every wise man cheats without his wife finding out. Every wise man switches his phone off when he arrives home. Every wise man does not disturb his wife to the extent that she contracts high blood pressure. Every man who respects his home does not talk to other women in the presence of his wife.
“Every wise man saves the names of his girlfriends as ‘cement owner’, ‘languard’ etc. to avoid being caught. For instance, if I’m walking in town with my wife and I meet my girlfriend, I won’t even smile. I’ll put up a straight face,”
Following such comments, Rev. Obofour came under serious backlash from individuals who questioned his morality as an acclaimed man of God.
Duncan Williams’ ‘comment against Muslims
The Action Chapel founder in a sermon posted on social media provoked the anger within the Ghanaian Muslim community with some controversial submissions he highlighted about the religion.
In a YouTube video, Bishop Duncan Williams established that Muslims are worshipping unknown spirits and dealing with high levels of witchcraft.
“Muslims are not just praying; they are invoking all kinds of entities,” the fiery preacher declared on a clip which was posted to YouTube. They are dealing with all kinds of forces in the Pleiades, in Orion, in Arcturus, in Mazzaroth – the Zodiacs, the powers of the underworld, the water kingdom,” he stated sometime in 2016.
His utterances were embraced with heavy criticisms from Muslims across the country, particularly from, the Coalition of Muslim Organisations in Ghana (COMOG) who described his sermon as “a bundle of reprehensible fallacies and a vicious misrepresentation of the Islamic practice of prayers and worship.
Rev. Badu Kobi’s ‘ethnocentric’ comments about women
Prophet Badu Kobi was alleged to have passed some ethnocentric comments about Ashanti, Fante, and Ewe women in a viral video sometime in 2019.
The comments were met with nationwide criticism and were largely described as misogynistic and disrespectful, especially by women belonging to these tribes.
“When you marry an Ashanti lady, you have imported trouble upon yourself, they are greedy. I will not mince words, I have done research over the years to come to this conclusion. Though Fante women sometimes are foolish, but Ashanti women? No! Ayigbe (Ewe) women are too much dormant but Ashantis, they are greedy.” He stated in the video which went viral on social media
Nigel Gaisie’s comments on womanizing
The controversial pastor was under serious attack for debunking the notion that womanizing or drinking alcohol makes one a bad Christian.
Nigel in May 2021 admonished Ghanaians for using womanizing as a yardstick for determining a good or a bad pro “When a man of God drinks alcohol, it doesn’t make him fake. When a man of God steals, it doesn’t make him fake. When a man of God womanizes or a woman of God has another boyfriend or doesn’t make him/her fake.
“Every mortal vessel has a weakness, what makes a man of God fake is when he changes his covenant. If that man of God does not preach Jesus anymore, that is what makes him fake. If you say that alcohol is wrong, then condemn David, because David was a chronic drunkard and womanizer,” the man of God stated in an interview with Starr FM.
A Ghanaian American-based preacher, Bishop Adonteng Boateng, has called on all stakeholders, including members of the clergy, to adopt a concerted approach in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Reacting to a recent viral video where members of the clergy, during a fact-finding mission, were seen praying at the bank of a river polluted by galamsey, Bishop Adonteng Boateng called for pragmatic efforts instead of fasting and prayers in battling galamsey.
“Prayers cannot stop galamsey and no amount of fasting can stop galamsey. My prayer is that the leadership of the country will rather make a concerted effort to help the people because at the end it is only a few people who benefit from galamsey at the expense of the larger population,” he told Oman Channel in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
He emphasised that while the pastors may have had a clear motive in praying at the river bank, there is however the need for practicality to be used in curbing the galamsey menace.
“I don’t know the motive with which the pastors went to pray at the river bank. It was probably to bring attention to the effects of galamsey and so I wouldn’t want to criticise them. Most of them are my fathers whom I hold in high regard,” he stated.
Several of Ghana’s water and river bodies are currently under threat from the effects of illegal mining activities. This has led to various public calls on the government to take drastic measures in fighting the menace.
Meanwhile, the Christian Council has declared Monday, October 24, 2022, to Sunday, October 30, 2022, as ‘National Week of Fasting and Prayers Against Galamsey’.
In a release dated Monday, October 17, 2022, the council said “For many years now, our sovereign country Ghana has been witnessing under our very naked eyes, the saddest “environmental coup d’éta” ever unleashed upon our nation, heralding a programmed and complete “ecological disaster” or destruction.
“We are calling for a week of fasting and prayers to pray for change of heart and for God’s mercy upon our nation for the destruction we have caused the environment 2. We call for the IMMEDIATE BAN of all small-scale mining,” it added.
Ghanaian entertainer and broadcaster, Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), has scolded Christian leaders for failing to heal Coronavirus patients in the country.
In an interview with Nkonkonsa.com on YouTube, KSM urged Christians to wise up because the Coronavirus pandemic has exposed the Pastors as having no healing or supernatural powers.
”Every week, they have miracle crusades and they’re going to heal this person or do this or that. Corona is here with us; as we talk people have been quarantined, go to where they have been quarantined and heal them”, he ridiculed the Pastors.
According to him, if they (Pastors) indeed can work miracles, they should seek clearance from President Nana Akufo-Addo to go to the various hospitals and prove their healing powers.
“If there is anything we have to learn from this coronavirus, it’s how much Pastors have been lying, especially those who claim to have all these healing powers. Where are they?…Where is the power of the God that you talk about and claim to have this miraculous healing powers? Where is it? Where are they?”.
In a developing country like Ghana with a developing democracy, people are found of making a whole noise when Pastors are sighted making comments about Political issues. In Ghana, when a pastors makes any comment that seem to support the position of a particular political party, he or she is tagged as a supporter of the said political party.
Here are some popular Pastors in Ghana and their Allegedly Political Affiliation;
1. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams
Papa Nick as he popularly called is the leader and founder of the Action Chapel international. He is considered to be the father of charismatic movement in Ghana which started about 40 years ago. Bishop Duncan Williams is believed to be a sympathizer of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). In September 2019, Bishop Duncan Williams made a comment that Ghanaians don’t love their own. He was fired by the ruling New Patriotic Party that ” if we don’t love our own, you won’t be here” but the opposition National Democratic Congress backed the position of the renowned Bishop. The Archbishop on 22nd September, 2019 said that no political party can own him even though many Ghanaians believe that he belongs to the National Democratic Congress.
2. Dr. Mensah Otabil
Pastor Otabil is the leader and founder of the International Central Gospel Church. He is well known for his ability to divide the word of God with accuracy and precision. Pastor Otabil is the founder and chancellor of Central University College. He is believed to be a supporter of the New Patriotic Party. This claim is because many Ghanaians believe that when the New Patriotic Party is in power, his preaching and other public utterances give a clue that he supports their agenda.
3. Bishop Dag Heward Mills
He is the leader and the founder of the Light House Chapel International. A charismatic church which has spring across the length and breadth of Ghana and beyond. He is believed to be a sympathizer of the New Patriotic Party. This claim is because, people believed his preaching style is an attack on the National Democratic Congress whenever they are in power but when the New Patriotic Party is in power, his utterances donot suggest an attack on them.
4. Apostle Dr. Isaac Owusu Bempah
He is the leader and founder of the Glorious Word Chapel International. He is well known for his end of year prophecies. He is believed to be a sympathizer of the New Patriotic Party. In 2016, the man of God prophesied that the NPP will win power from their major political opponent the NDC which came to pass. Apart from this, Apostle Owusu Bempah’s public utterances seems to be in favour of the NPP.
5. Prophet Badu Kobi
He is the founder and leader of the Glorious Waves Chapel international. He is popularly called the ‘celebrities Pastor ‘ because many celebrities attend his church in Ghana. He is well known for his generous giving especially giving out cars to his church members. Prophet Badu Kobi is believed to be a sympathizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
6. Prophet Nigel Gaisie
He is the leader and founder of the Prophetic Hill chapel. A church which is headquartered in Dome, Accra. He became popular after predicting the death of Ebony ( a popular musician) which came to pass just like he said. In 2018, he prophesied again that former president John Mahama, the leader and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress will win power in the upcoming 2020 polls. This made people to believe that he is a supporter of the Opposition National Democratic Congress.
Josh Obeng, son of renowned pastor and founder of the Calvary Charismatic Centre, Rev. Ransford Obeng joined Nana Adwoa Sarkodie on her weekly Instagram live sessions for yet another interesting conversation surrounding “Dating in Christianity”.
This comes barely a week after the sexual immorality discussions with Gospel musician Diana Hamilton.
The young pastor reiterated the importance of abstaining from sex until marriage describing his own experience while dating his wife. “I did all the dirty before I got born-again, but after that I made up my mind that when I dated again, it would meet the standards of God and the Bible. So when dating my wife, it was very difficult because she is pretty and I was attracted to her but we waited till we got married” he said.
According to Pastor Josh, dating in Christianity is getting to know someone in a way that leads to marriage, while dating in the world has an end goal of having fun and simply enjoying yourself. He urged single people not to be overwhelmed with the pressure of getting married, as there are so many advantages of being single, including the freedom to make quick decisions and accomplish all your dreams, without the responsibilities accompanied by a wife or children.
Responding to a question about searching for a partner, Josh Obeng made these relevant points;
1. “Do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. So you can’t date or marry an unbeliever if you’re a true Christian”
2. “Don’t date someone that would put you before God. Be proud to be number two. If your partner has no respect for the God who created them, how would they respect you?”
3. “Find someone you can share your life with. Look for someone who has a life you can share in. You need to become someone who has the life that is worth sharing in”
3. “Don’t date anyone who has no purpose in life. Ask them about their purpose and not just where they see themselves in the next 10 years. Your purpose, ideologies and values must align. If you can’t agree on things like children, careers, finance, you can’t have a successful marriage”
4. “Don’t date someone you don’t respect because there’s going to be some form of submission, and it only gets harder to submit if you don’t respect your spouse”
He insisted that when you’re dating and having sex, you often spend all your energy on having sex without asking the person what they believe in and what their purposes are. So you get married and discover their true character only to become disappointed.
“Don’t be caught in a room alone with your partner because you’re not an angel. Temptations will rise and something can happen. Sexual desires are very strong and powerful. Don’t get yourself caught in compromising situations. Put benchmarks in place and possibly avoid French kissing” he added.
One of the most intriguing revelations the pastor made was in relation to “finding a soul mate”. He explained the mindset that there is only a particular person designed for you to marry is from a Greek mythology and not Biblical.
“The prophetic word is not supposed to make a decision for you. Your pastor or parents should not choose a partner for you. It’s important to receive their counsel, but you still have to make a personal decision.”
“If you follow Biblical principles in dating and marriage, divorce becomes impossible. However, in the unlikely situation of an abuse in marriage, there should be a separation and hopefully when the person changes, there can be a reconciliation” he answered a viewer.
In another question about the ideal time period for getting to know someone, Pastor Josh explained the only important thing was to establish trust and transparency, which could be relative, making a time limit impossible to pin. “I knew my wife for fifteen (15) years before getting married but others can get to know their partners in just six (6) months and still get married successfully. One of the gifts of the spirits everyone needs to have is the spirit of discernment. Sometimes, emotions can cloud your judgement which is why you need Godly counsel and wisdom” he said.
The 2-part interview is available to watch via @nanaadwoasarkodie on Instagram and also on YouTube Nana Adwoa Sarkodie.
Popular slay queen, Queen Farcadi has said that some pastors in Ghana do book her for threesome sex.
According to her, she gets book for nothing less than $5,000 for a session by the pastors whom she says run their church alone.
Farcadi also revealed that she finds it funny when she sees Christians judging her lifestyle without knowing what their pastors do with her behind closed doors.
“I laugh when I see these Christians judging me and others like me because their Pastors are always in my house sitting on me. These Pastors come to my house with a trusted male usher and we have a threesome. The Pastors who come to me are Pastors of one-man churches.†she claimed.
Nigerian Music icon, Wizkid has asked why Nigerian Pastors who claim to be powerful have all coiled and not at treatment centres healing people like they used to do prior to COVID-19.
Some members of society in Ghana and across the globe have noted with concern the utter silence of leading Pastor, Prophets and other religious personalities in the wake of COVID-19.
To them, Pastors who were all over the place healing people from all kinds of ailments including HIV/AIDS should have been playing key roles in healing COVID-19 patients so it relief government some stress that it has had to go through but that has not been the case.
The latest to add his voice to the concerns is WizKid.
In a tweet, he asked where Pastors are in all these.
He said “I never see any naija pastor go isolation heal anybody from covid lolâ€.
In recent times people have questioned whether truly some Men of God who claimed to be powerful are really powerful as they claim or they just employ some antics in siphoning cash from their congregants. In Ghana, a Member of Parliament has taken it upon himself to name and shame Pastors he deems as fake and has over the weeks been naming and shaming them with their evil deeds.
I never see any naija pastor go isolation heal anybody from covid lol
Over the past years, Ghana has been blessed with many great pastors who also involve themselves in the development and improvement in the country through their prayers and as philanthropists. They head various mega churches in Ghana.
Their personalities are well respected and others find them as their role models. This article tends to showcase some early stage or youthful pictures of 5 great pastors in Ghana.
A throwback photo of Archbishop Mensa Otabil, Duncan Williams, Sam Korankye-Ankrah, Agyin-Asare and Bishop Dag Heward-Mills.
1. Charles Aginasare
Dr. Charles Agyinasare is a the founder and General overseer of Perez Chapel International, a Pentecostal-Charismatic ministry in Ghana.
2. Mensa Otabil
Mensa Otabil, is a Ghanaian theologian, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He is the founder of International Central Gospel Church headquartered in Accra, Ghana. He is also the founder and Chancellor of Central University College.
3. Nicholas Duncan-Williams
Archbishop Nichola Duncan-Williams is a Ghanaian Charismatic Pioneer, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International ministry, headquartered in Accra, Ghana.
4. Dag Heward-Mills
Dag Heward-Mills is an African Evangelist, pastor, author and conference speaker based in Accra, Ghana. He is the founder and presiding Bishop of the United Denomination Originating from the Lighthouse Group Of Churches.
5. Sam Korankye Ankrah
Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah serves as the Apostle General of the Royalhouse Chapel International, a church in Ghana.
A group of Kenyan pastors have asked the government to include churches in the list of “essential services” to allow them to remain open as the country battles the Covid-19 outbreak.
The preachers representing churches in Makueni country in eastern Kenya, say faith is the “best way to fight the unseen enemyâ€.
They want to be allowed to hold Sunday services in open grounds, while adhering to the proposed one-metre distance between people to prevent infection.
The government has banned public gatherings and police officers have been enforcing the ban.
One of the pastors, Nicholas Kyule, was quoted by Citizen TV as saying that the church was the “best place for hope and resilience†during this time.
Another, Titus Uswii, was quoted in the Star Newspaper as saying that the country “may be involved in a futile exercise†as long as churches remain closed.
The Kenyan government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on 27 March, but exempted those in what it termed “essential services”, which included health workers, security officers, the media, food dealers and transporters among others.
While topnotch medics are still struggling at the international levels to find a cure for the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, a top Ghanaian prophet, known for the propagation, Prophet Francis Kwateng, has divulged the solution to end the pandemic.
According to the founder and leader of the House of Power Ministry (HOP), headquartered at Ahofadiekrom in the Ashanti Region, the only solution to end the widespread occurrence of the infectious disease in Ghana and across the world is ‘righteousness’.
The popular televangelist is on record to have made a prophetic declaration in 2019 about a dreadful disease which he said would swoop thousands of lives in the world.
“The Lord has spoken with me. There’ll be a deadly disease in this coming year 2020. It will come in the form of a feather-liked animal to hang in the skies and the disease will kill thousands of people in the world”, Prophet Kwateng prophesied in a sermon at his church.
Speaking exclusively to a local television station, Royal TV, on the back of the said prophesy, Prophet Kwateng said, God does not give out revelation without a solution, adding that it is only left to the nation to trust what the Lord Almighty has said.
“There’s a solution to this pandemic. I know some won’t believe but I’ll say it. The solution is ‘righteousness’”, he disclosed.
Prophet Kwateng, however, indicated that the solution comes with a condition. He chided: “the nation should genuinely repent from their sins and turn around to Jesus”, that he said will bring the outbreak to an unexpected end.
Asked if the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign of the judgement time, he replied: “What I know is that the Lord says, in the end time, there will be diseases with no cure”.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians observed a national day of fasting and prayer on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, to seek the face God to end the spread of the virus.
Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo has made her point very clear and she is ready to prove to the very latter that she is in the right.
Following her post that challenged supposed men of God who feel they have healing prowess to go from one hospital to the next to heal people from Covid-19, the veteran actress has come under lots of criticism.
People feel by challenging men of God, she is in effect challenging God himself.
Commenting on the post, actress Uche Elendu asked her to show the world wherein the Bible Jesus moved from one hospital to the next to heal people and Hilda has since not responded.
Meanwhile, she has had the time to respond to one IG user who felt she is all wrong for challenging men of God.
But Hilda is insistent on her stance. She says her challenge was for men of God who are convinced that they have the healing prowess.
Pastors and church leaders in Ho are queuing for airtime to reach members of their congregation through radio broadcast on Sundays.
This follows the President’s directive suspending social gatherings to contain and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Churches, which hardly preached on air, rushed to local radio stations for space.
Regular preachers on radio extended their time to an hour and beyond following the temporary closure of churches.
At Swiss FM, the Ghana News Agency was told five more pastors had booked airtime to preach on Sundays apart from one pastor who normally preached Sunday dawn.
Three more pastors were also said to be struggling for airtime on Global FM to preach on Sundays, with many more in line.
The situation is not different at Tosh FM, West FM, Kuul FM and Ho FM.
Meanwhile many churches have shut their doors to worshippers in line with the President’s directive.
At the Ho Dome St. Cecilia Catholic Church, about three persons were at the Parish around 0830 to offer “private prayers”.
At the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Dela Cathedral, about 13 persons, including a priest, gathered to record a sermon for live streaming on social media.
Government last Sunday imposed a ban on all public gatherings including conferences, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church services and Islamic worships for four weeks.
The ban is in response to the coronavirus pandemic after an inter-ministerial Committee meeting.
Madam Elizabeth Agyemang, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on faith healers to desist from keeping people living with chronic medical conditions in their prayer camps but quickly refer them to health facilities for professional medical treatment.
She said denying such people medical attention under the pretext of healing them spiritually was not only cruel but a violation of their human rights.
Speaking at a breast cancer forum at the Kumasi Technical University, the Minister advised the perpetrators to concentrate on preaching the word of God as they allow medical professionals to do their work.
The forum, held under the theme: “The Role of Religion in Breast Cancer Control in Africaâ€, was to sensitize participants on the prevention, causes and treatment of the dreaded and fatal disease.
She said it was unacceptable for any faith healer or prophet to attempt to heal a cancer patient who required the urgent services of a specialist due to the dangerous and debilitating nature of the disease.
Madam Agyemang entreated cancer patients to seek professional help even if they would attend church for prayers, adding “the church is no place for cancer treatmentâ€.
Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of Breast Care International (BCI), said breast cancer was curable if detected early yet many people saw it as a death sentence.
She said instead of seeking medical attention, many people resort to prayer camps and only showed up in the hospitals too late when the disease was almost at the terminal stage.
Dr Addai implored prophets to direct patients to hospitals and back them with prayers in order to save their lives.
She said cancer was a global disease but the rate at which people were dying in Ghana due to ignorance was alarming and urged religious leaders to lead the fight against the needless deaths.
Personnel of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested four suspects, including two pastors, for allegedly staging fake miracles to defraud unsuspecting members of the public in the Lekki and Epe areas of the state.
The alleged pastors, Favour David and Favour Chimobi, were said to have connived with Rukayat Folawewo and Bunmi Joshua to perpetrate the crime.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement that the suspects specialised in procuring members for the Wonders Assembly Ministry, situated opposite the Lagos Business School on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Ajah.
Elkana stated, “The command has arrested four suspects in Lekki/Epe area, who pose as pastors to conduct fake miracles, prophecies and testimonies for unsuspecting members of the public to collect money from them and engage in other dubious means of enriching themselves.
“On Friday, November 29, 2019, the command acted on an intelligence report by covert operatives of the SCIID, who monitored the activities of a fraudulent syndicate. A pastor, Favour David, who specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by procuring fake members for the Wonders Assembly Ministry, was arrested with two women, Rukayat Folawewo and Bunmi Joshua, who pretended to be members and were miraculously healed by the pastor after being involved in a car accident.
“While the other woman, Bunmi Joshua, gave fake testimony to church members that her son, who was deaf and dumb, could now hear and talk and was healed by another pastor, Favour Chimobi of the Elijah Ministry 9, Igirita Street, Port Harcourt, who works alongside Pastor David Favour.â€
Elkana stated that during investigation, detectives found out that none of the stories and testimonies was true, adding that the suspects were arrested during a vigil.
In another development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered that 50 suspects arrested for various crimes, such as murder, cultism and robbery, be prosecuted.
Elkana said, “In line with the directives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who has sensitised the management of the entire command and its personnel to his zero tolerance for human rights abuses, he has ordered the decongestion of all cells and formations across the state.
“To this end, a total of 50 suspects have been charged for various offences at the SCIID Panti. Two suspects were charged for the murder of a LASTMA official, three for the murder of one Sodiq Abubakar, three for the murder of one Seun Abdullahi, six for armed robbery, one for misconduct, and 35 for cultism related activities.â€
