Religion of Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Source: GNA

Trouble making pastors to be ejected from Aflao

Aflao, May 21, GNA - Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area has directed that any Church leader who causes trouble to the traditional authority would leave the area. Togbe Fiti V, who said this when he cut a tape to dedicate a GH¢96,000-single storey mission house for the Church of Pentecost at Gblafedo, called for mutual respect among all religious faiths in the area to ensure peaceful co-existence.

He referred to the current tension between the traditional authorities and the Assemblies of God Church over an age-old community idol, which the Church wanted to remove from its current premises. The traditional authority sometime ago agreed to relocate the idol, but the Church refused to bear the cost of transfer, explaining that it was against its principles.

The Aflao police recently averted a near clash between an irate youth and the Church when the idol was removed by some people suspected to have links with the church.

The Ministry of Interior, with assistance from the local police, is currently mediating over the impasse.

Togbe Fiti praised the Church of Pentecost in the Aflao area, particularly the area head, Apostle Emmanuel Asante and others for their exemplary lives and relationship with the traditional authorities. Apostle Dr Micheal Ntumy, immediate past Chairman of the Pentecostal Council of Ghana and Counsellor of the Pentecost University College lauded members of the Church for building the mission house and urged them to do more for the church and the community.

He entreated them to exhibit lifestyles that are worthy of emulation in order not to damage the Church's reputation. Apostle Asante, who now has been transferred to Kasoa in the Central Region, said Dr Ntumy's leadership and hard work has been a source of inspiration for many.