We Are Against Making Laws For Churches–Charismatic Bishops’ Conference

The General Secretary of the Ghana Charismatic Bishops’ Conference, Rev. Kwasi Deh, has contested arguments for establishing a legal regime for churches and religious organizations as a whole.

In response to the alleged fraudulent activities of Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, Rev. Deh told Accra-based Citi FM that while some religious leaders commit crimes, it does not warrant legislation for churches.

“Matters of faith and belief cannot be regulated; once regulation comes in, it is going to create a lot of problems,” he stated.

He argued that all churches in Ghana have some form of regularity in their operations through registration with the Registrar of Companies as companies limited by guarantee, with the accompanying submission of the names of their leadership, who are already bound by the laws of the country.

The Rev. Deh also disagreed with calls for certain qualifications and credentials to be called a minister, stating that other sectors of the economy are being run by people who do not have the requisite qualifications and are perpetuating various acts of illegality against the state, citing oil market companies and financial institutions.

Several discussions have re-surfaced in the public space about regulating the activities of churches following the alleged extortion of various sums of money by Nana Agradaa in a bid to double it.

Followers and members of Nana Agradaa, who was arrested by the police on October 8, surrounded the premises of her church on October 7, Heaven Way Church in Weija, to demand a refund of their money.