Government Should Not Sponsor Christian Pilgrims—Prophet Warns

The General Overseer of the Holy Hill Chapel Worldwide, Prophet Godwin Sarfo Annan, has waded into the controversy surrounding government’s decision to sponsor Christian pilgrims to Israel to tour the major Holy sites.

The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has publicised government's decision to streamline Christian pilgrimage by sponsoring pilgrims to countries such as Israel and the Vatican City.

The move has been greeted with a backlash from a section of the public.

In his reaction, Prophet Godwin said both Christians and Moslems do not need the government before they go on any pilgrimage.

“We don't need the government of Ghana to either send Christians or Muslims on pilgrimages, they only steal state money to send their party folks and friends”, he said in a statement to the press.

According to the general overseer, it costs GHC12,000 to go to Mecca or Israel and each year government sponsors over 3000 people to perform Hajj and now have Israel in the picture.

Prophet Godwin believes the monies going into pilgrimage sponsorship must be channeled into more beneficial ventures for the nation such as providing portable drinking water and toilet facilities for deprived communities.

He said religion is an individual affairs and government must not be sponsoring some individuals in faith matters.

“How do you perform Hajj or go to Israel with state money. It cost GHc 12,000, to go to Mecca or Israel. Each year government alone sponsors over 3000 people to perform Hajj yet our communities lack toilet facilities and portable drinking water. Religion is an individual affair and must remain as such”, he said.

Meanwhile, the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu-Bempah who is also a committee member to oversee the planning and operations of Christian pilgrimage in the country has said that government will not fund their activities as purported.

According to him, interested persons will bare all cost whiles government will negotiate with the Israeli President for the ‘Holy Journey’.