“Don’t use the priesthood to defraud the public” — Apostle Ameyaw warns Clergy

The integrity of the Christian ministry is under fire as the commercialisation of spiritual services continues to permeate the religious landscape.

For this reason, Apostle Isiah Ameyaw-Amankwah, founder and leader of the Universal Faith Church in Kumasi, has issued a stern warning against the rising trend of “spiritual extortion” disguised as direction-giving (Akwankyire).

In an exclusive interview with the correspondent, Apostle Ameyaw-Amankwah expressed deep disappointment over how individuals operating under the title Men of God have strayed from biblical ethics and turned the ministry into profit‑making enterprises.

While acknowledging that he does not condemn genuine pastoral support, he drew a sharp line between receiving free‑will offerings and the systematic exploitation of vulnerable congregants and the wider public.

He said the huge sums of money charged for prayers and spiritual directions (Akwankyire) tarnish the image of the noble priesthood. The power of God, he stressed, is not a commodity to be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Citing examples of authentic spiritual direction, the clergyman pointed to the life of Jesus Christ, who healed the blind and fed the hungry without ever demanding a fee. He also referenced Prophet Elisha, who purified the bitter waters of Jericho through divine instruction without seeking personal gain.

According to him, the power of healing and deliverance was given freely — and must therefore be administered freely.

Debunking the Transactional Gospel

Apostle Ameyaw addressed the common justification used by some clerics who claim that spiritual work requires sacrifice or payment. He acknowledged that in the Bible, a widow once provided food for Prophet Elijah before receiving spiritual direction for abundance, but stressed that such instances have been twisted to cover up predatory behaviour.

Using the biblical concept of an offering as a shield for extortion, he said, is a dangerous deception with no scriptural basis.

According to him, when pastors demand specific payments before praying for a person, they are no longer operating in the spirit but in commerce.

The Apostle further criticised the repetitive trend of daily “directions” where pastors demand single items like fruits, oils, or large sums of cash for generic spiritual advice. He noted that while certain traditions have existed historically, the current obsession with demanding objects and money for every minor concern is a departure from genuine spiritual counselling.

A Call for Discernment

As the religious landscape in Kumasi and beyond continues to see a mushrooming of prayer centres, Apostle Ameyaw-Amankwah urged the public to exercise extreme caution.

He strongly advised those seeking spiritual direction not to allow themselves to be led astray by charismatic figures who prioritise wealth accumulation over the spiritual well‑being of their followers.

“Do not be blinded by the promises of quick miracles. A man of God who truly represents Christ will not demand a fee to show you the way to God or your breakthrough,” Apostle Ameyaw observed.

He concluded by calling on the clergy to return to the foundational principles of the faith — humility and selfless sacrifice — warning that the name of God should never be used as a tool to defraud the public, but rather to transform lost souls, as Jesus Christ taught in the scriptures.