As the state has taken a special interest in how churches and mosques are operated in Rwanda, a former Bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel is advocating that Ghana should emulate the way of the Central African country.
Rwanda in 2018 passed a law to regulate the proliferation of churches that disregard the safety, interest, and welfare of its members. The law governing Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) ensures that places of worship, leadership, and doctrines among others meet certain standards before approval for operations is granted.
For instance, the law requires that a preacher of any faith-based organization in Rwanda among other requirements must “possess a degree of a higher learning institution in religious studies or any other degree with a valid certificate in religious studies related matters delivered by a recognized institution.”
The law also ensures that “religious sermon is delivered in designated facilities that meet the requirements of the law.”
The regulation of faith-based organizations is under the auspices of the Rwanda Governance Board in collaboration with local and urban authorities. Since the coming into force of the law, over 4,000 places of worship and mosques have been closed for failing to meet the requirements.
“This is not being done to prevent people from praying but to ensure the safety and tranquillity of worshipers,” Minister of Local Government in Rwanda, Jean Claude Musabyimana has justified.
This Rwandan example is what the former bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel International, Ing. Kwame Ampofo wants Ghana and other African countries to emulate.
According to Ing. Ampofo who has been to Rwanda on many occasions for missions, the approach of Rwanda apart from ensuring that Rwandans worship in a safe environment, also ensures that religious bodies do not indoctrinate the minds of the people with ideas and beliefs which can negatively affect the nation.
Ing. Ampofo explained, “I also realized that the breakup of churches has also been eradicated since you can’t simply get a classroom or events center or open space and start a church. All disaffected people were forced by the law to remain within an established church or stay at home.”
“The government is making sure religious bodies DO NOT CONTROL and take over the minds of the people, it had disastrous consequences in their previous unpleasant experience, the church partook in the violence,” he added.
He therefore indicated that the “free for all” approach in Ghana where churches are easily established and operated by people with questionable backgrounds teaching all sorts of doctrines will one day result in serious consequences for the country.
He is therefore calling on the government that in the interest of the citizens, stringent measures should be put in place to bring some sanity and tranquility in the operations of faith-based organizations in Ghana.
“In this country beginning with G and the other beginning with N, we have all these people doing whatever they want to the citizens with the government offering no protection to the citizenry. They exert great influence in the countries even though they have no theological backgrounds and have over the years come out with THEIR OWN DOCTRINES. Because they are large and wealthy they are assumed to be successful with so many young pastors chasing after their elusive anointings,” Ing. Ampofo narrated.
He added, “One day we pray for a regulatory board like what they have in Rwanda led by strong Christians to protect citizens from wolves in sheep’s clothing tearing up citizens in their shrines. Well done Rwanda. May other countries all over Africa follow your example.”
