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06.09.2004 General News

Charismatic Churches call for transparency in SFO's investigations

06.09.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Sept. 6, GNA - The National Association of Charismatic Christian Churches (NACC) has called on the Serious Fraud Office to pursue its investigations of some churches with transparency, fairness and restraint.

In a communiqu=E9 issued at the end of their annual weeklong Conference in Accra, the NACC said in as much as it respected the right of state institutions to do their work without any direction, it was important that this was done with dignity.

The investigation is the fallout of the recent rumpus in the Winners' Chapel saga.

The communiqu=E9 signed by the Reverend Emmanuel Ansah, General Secretary of NACC, said it had noted with grave concern the way investigations into the activities of churches with Charismatic and Pentecostal origins in recent weeks was being conducted.

On politics, NACC commended the Media for their tremendous work at sustaining democracy but asked them to be circumspect, "especially with the advent of the forthcoming general election in December. "We commend the Media for the great work in promoting democracy in our nation and wish to encourage presenters and talk show hosts to tone down simmering passions of hyper-emotional callers."

The communiqu=E9 called on state-owned media to be fair and in the coverage of all events in the country and urged producers of talk show programmes to encourage the use of non-partisan language and resource persons.

On the forthcoming elections itself, the communiqu=E9 appealed to political parties to exercise patience, tolerance and restraint during their campaigns.

"We wish to appeal especially to leaders and spokespersons of political parties to be decorous on their platforms." It asked the Electoral Commission to undertake its constitutional duties in a manner devoid of partiality in order to keep the country as united as ever.

NACC called on the Government to review the religious and moral content of the education system with the aim of transforming the youth as a first step at reducing moral decadence.

On state, church and taxes, the NACC said churches should not be taxed since they were partners with the government in the provision of socio-economic infrastructure.

The Reverend Eastwood Anaba of Fountain Gate Chapel International addressed this year's Conference.

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