Kumasi, Feb. 1, GNA - The General Secretary of the Ghana Association= of Faith Healers and Traditional Birth Attendants, Mr Kwaku Owusu, has advised faith healers not to dupe patients with spurious claims of cures. He said they should be honest enough to refer cases beyond their competence to medical facilities.

He said it is by doing this that they would win public trust and confidence to sustain their practice.

Mr Owusu made the call at a ceremony held to present certificates to 4= 0 members of the association, whose operation had been recognized by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council of the Health Ministry. They include Prophets Daniel Obinim of the International God's Way Church, Akwesi Adu-Michael, Christ Power International Church, Pastor Abraham Baah, Christ Healing Church of Canaan and Prophetess Janet Addo of the Community Church of Christ.

Mr Owusu said it was important they operate in a safe and healthy environment to prevent disease infection. Additionally, they should keep proper records and adopt best practices= .. The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Assistant commissioner of Polic= e Patrick Timbillah, in an address read for him, cautioned against the violation of the fundamental rights of patients who visit the centres and prayer camps.

Offenders, he said, would be brought to justice. Bishop Joseph Boakye Danquah, National President of the Association, asked the regional executive to work hard to grow the association. 1 Feb. 11

--0016e64982d0b0935d049b3e8ad7