Christian Council of Ghana Clarifies Restriction on Covid-19 directives

Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo has urged all churches and all church leaders to adhere strictly to the Covid protocols outlined above to help curb the spread of the virus.

Christian Council of Ghana Clarifies Restriction on Covid-19 directives
Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo

A letter signed by the Chairman, National Ecumenical who doubles as the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana and the  Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo, on the 7th of  February, 2021 has clarified Covid 19 restriction directives
announced on the 23rd update by His Excellency the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankw Akufo Addo and subsequent comprehensive restrictions on weddings and funerals by the Minister-Designate for Information, Hon Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah.

The chairman of the Ecumenical body entreated all church leaders to enforce the President’s directives on Covid 19 protocols on every church activities.

 He said the information gathered by the leadership of the ecumenical body indicates that worship services are permitted to continue and the protocols relating to attendance, ie, maximum duration of two (2) hours, one-meter social distancing, wearing of masks, hand washing under running water and soap, and use of sanitisers and disinfection of surfaces must adhere.

Adding that marriages and burial services, which are held in churches under strict Covid protocols are permitted. It is the after celebrations such as receptions, parties, dancing, eating etc that have been banned indefinitely.

He encouraged the leadership of the church to maintain a good relationship with government as they have done with distinction in the past, by adhering strictly to the Covid protocols outlined above to help curb the spread of the virus.

The chairman encouraged members to observe protocols because churches who fail to do so will be closed down and the leaders sanctioned according to law. 

The chairman of the Ecumenical, Most Rev Dr Boafo urged the Christian fraternity to continuously pray for all fronts liners in the fight against Covid 19, for the healing of the sick and the eradication of the deadliest Coronavirus pandemic.

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PASTORAL LETTER

TO ALL ECUMENICAL BODIES AND MEMBER CHURCHES 

February 7, 2021

Beloved in Christ,

CLARIFICATION AND ADHERENCE TO THE PRESIDENT’S DIRECTIVES ON COVID 19

We bring you greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Following the 23rd update by His Excellency the President and subsequent clarification of the restrictions on weddings and funerals by the Minister-Designate for Information, the following is the understanding of the President’s directives by the leadership of the Christian community: 

1. That worship services are permitted to continue and church leaders are entreated to enforce, to the letter, the protocols relating to attendance, ie, maximum duration of two (2) hours, one-meter social distancing, wearing of masks, hand washing under running water and soap, and use of sanitisers and disinfection of surfaces 

 2. That marriages and burial services, which are held in churches under strict Covid protocols are permitted. It is the after celebrations such as receptions, parties, dancing, eating etc that have been banned

 3. That the burial or interment itself must be private, which means,  it must be limited to twenty-five (25) persons.

As we have done with distinction in the past, we urge all churches and all church leaders to adhere strictly to the Covid protocols outlined above to help curb the spread of the virus. Any church that does not comply with the protocols will be closed down and the leaders sanctioned according to law. 

Let us continue to pray for all front-liners in the fight against Covid, for healing of the sick and for the eradication of Covid.

The Lord bless you.

Signed
Most Rev. Dr. Paul K. Boafo, 
Chairman, National Ecumenical Leaders, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana and Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana

William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Region