Kumasi: Another pastor who organised church service to fight Coronavirus arrested

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Another ‘man of God’ is being questioned by the Kumasi police after he held a church service, despite a ban on public gathering in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Prophet Jonah Adu-twum, 46, and three others of the ‘Son of God Prayer Ministry’ located at the outskirts of Appiadu Kokoben, near KNUST have since been granted bail by the police.

They were picked up on Wednesday at about 12pm, after the police received information that the four were leading a church service heavily attended by over 200 congregants.

Police say the four could face prosecution after violating a ban on large gatherings as concerns of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic grow.

Ghana has confirmed seven cases of the deadly disease which has claimed the lives of many across the globe.

President Akufo-Addo announced closure of schools and a ban on all public gatherings as part of measures to contain the disease.

But it appears that will not deter the self-styled pastor, as he reveals to the police that the church service was a direction from God to tackle the Covid-19 disease.

He and his accomplices are expected to report to the KNUST District Police Command on Thursday to continue with police investigations.

The church has also been directed to suspend all activities or face possible closure by the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly.

The development comes hours after another pastor was picked up at North Suntreso, a suburb of Kumasi.

The suspect, 67-year-old Apostle Kofi Nkansah Sarkodie and two other pastors claiming to be leaders of the Open Arms Ministries in Kumasi, have since been granted a self recognizance bail by police in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday.

He is said to have violated the country’s public health ban on gatherings of more than 25.

Apostle Kofi Nkansah, who also claims he has cure for the deadly Coronavirus said no “dictator law” should keep people away from worshiping God.

Ghana confirmed its seventh Coronavirus case on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

The latest patient is a citizen who had returned into the country from France.

Despite this, Apostle Nkansah, who could face prosecution, had told his congregation attending Wednesday’s sermon at the church’s North Suntreso branch that the virus is nothing to be concerned about.

But the Ashanti Regional Police Command disagrees, adding that the suspects will be closely monitored.

Regional Spokesperson for the Command, ASP Godwin Ahianyo said the suspects’ action was in violation of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

He said the suspects are being questioned for “unlawful assembly in breach of peace, posing immediate risk to health, life and among others”.

He cautioned Kumasi residents to protect themselves and others from the Covid-19 pandemic and to adhere to government’s directive for all to suspend religious activities, gatherings or meeting for the next four weeks.

The Police will carry out our constitutional mandate to ensure public order and safety and therefore owe it a duty to bring any persons who breaches the peace and the law to book”, ASP Ahianyo warned.

By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH