[ 2021-02-08 ]

We’ll sanction recalcitrant churches of COVID-19 protocols — Christian Council

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has said it
will sanction churches that fail to adhere
strictly to COVID-19 protocols prescribed for
churches in the country.

It said since churches and other religious groups
had been permitted to hold events within
prescribed protocols, it was imperative that it
ensured compliance to help contain the spread of
the pandemic, which is said to be on the rise.

This was contained in a statement signed by the
Chairman of the CCG, who is also the Presiding
Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most
Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo, in Accra.

“As we have done with distinction in the past,
we urge all churches and church leaders to adhere
strictly to the COVID-19 protocols to help curb
the spread of the virus,” it said.

The protocols include a maximum two-hour service,
one-metre social distancing, wearing of face
masks, hand-washing under running water and soap,
the use of sanitiser and disinfection of
surfaces.

“Any church that does not comply with the
protocols will be closed down and the leaders
sanctioned according to the Executive
Instrument,” it said.

Application of directives

While a source at the CCG told the Daily Graphic
that the directive applied to all churches, the
Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC)
and the National Association of Charismatic and
Christian Churches (NACCC) could not say if it
also applied to one-man-run churches which often
disassociated themselves from the activities of
the CCG and other such recognised bodies.

“As the leadership of the church in Ghana, our
caution goes to all who operate as churches; so it
applies to all. Also, given the threat the second
wave is posing, it is the wisest and most
considerate thing to do in order not to jeopardise
the lives of members of the church, their families
and communities.
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“All we are doing is re-emphasising the need to
adhere to the protocols we have been observing
since church services resumed in September last
year. We also caution that any individual or
groups of people who disregard the protocols in
the name of worship will be dealt with as
stipulated by law,” it further said.

Marriages and burials

The statement said under the current arrangement,
marriages and burial services were allowed in
churches, but explained that receptions and
celebrations of any form were not allowed.

“Marriages and burial services which are held in
churches under strict COVID-19 protocols are
permitted; however, the celebrations such as
receptions, parties, dancing, eating, among
others, have been banned.

“The burial or interment itself must be private,
which means it must be limited to 25 people,” it
added.

Background

As part of measures to halt the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic since the first case was
recorded in the country in March 2020, President
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo placed a ban on all
social, public and religious events.

In anticipation of easing the restrictions, the
leadership of the CCG presented some proposals to
the President, outlining the safety precautions
the churches had put in place to make their places
of worship safe.

In September 2020, the ban was eventually eased
and the churches and other religious bodies asked
to strictly observe the protocols.

They included the provision of facilities for
hand-washing, the registration of churchgoers to
allow for contact tracing, the checking of
temperature, as well as ensuring social distancing
in seating arrangements.

Also, the churches were required to have isolation
centres and COVID-19 teams to sensitise their
respective congregations to the disease.

Source - Graphic

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