General News of Saturday, 18 May 2013
Source: The Independent
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has admitted that the case of alleged indecent assault on some juveniles by one of its reverend ministers has gravely affected the public reputation of the church.
The Presby Church and one of its ordained ministers, Rev. Kusi-Kyere of the Abokobi branch, have been in the spotlight for the latter’s alleged misconduct. The ‘man of God’ is on front pages of newspapers for allegedly massaging the penis of some juveniles who visited him in his office.
Seven young men, aged between 20 and 28 years were said to have suffered the alleged nefarious act of the reverend minister.
As the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana are still in a state of shock about the development, its Public Relations officer (PRO), Dr Emmanuel Acheampong, has told The Independent the church will get to the bottom of the issue.
If found guilty, the accused, according to the PR, would be dealt with in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church.
Dr Acheampong admitted that the allegation of the ‘gay scandal’ has affected the reputation of the church, considering the perception that has been attached to the issue by the public.
He bemoaned the situation, saying the church had spent time to build its reputation only to be marred by the recent news.
“Many people would begin to think that the leaders of the Presby Church were gay,” Dr Acheampong lamented.
The Presby PRO expressed the denomination’s commitment to get to the bottom of the matter through investigations by the new committee.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), ASP Irene Oppong has corrected the public’s perception about the case.
Speaking on a local radio station, she said the case was an alleged indecent assault and not gay, rape or unnatural canal knowledge.