General News of Saturday, 11 December 2010

Source: The Chronicle

Two Pastors Blow Church Cash

Two ministers of the Africa Faith Tabernacle church have been sacked for indulging in fraudulent activities which have raised suspicions about the church’s finances.

The two, Prophet Larbi and Prophet Tetteh of the Koforidua Number one and Ashaiman branches of the African Faith Tabernacle Church, were accused of collecting various sums of money from their members, for onward payment to the mother church, but failed to honour their responsibilities.

The Founder and Superior of the church, David Nkansah, who could not bear the brunt of the nefarious activities of his subordinates, immediately dismissed them when the issue was brought before him. The amount, however, was not made public, but sources say it turns into thousands of new Ghana Cedis.

Furious about corrupt practices gradually creeping into the church, Prophet David warned his ministers and members of his readiness to sack anyone found guilty of amassing wealth at the expense of the church.

Speaking at his year’s international convention held in Anyinam last Sunday, which was massively attended by members from all walks of life, Prophet Nkansah said the attitude of some pastors of the church had demonstrated they could no work with the church hence he wouldn’t hesitate to sack anyone, in order not to “poison” the members.

The furious man of God, however, ignored pleas from some senior pastors of the church to be circumspect with his remarks, because of the presence of some journalists.

“I will not stop. I know journalists are around, and if they like they should report it, I don’t care,” he replied. The convention ground was filled with uneasiness, as embarrassment was clearly written on the faces of the teeming members, but the Superior Prophet was not perturbed, and kept his tempo.

That notwithstanding, Prophet Nkansah, on behalf of the church, expressed his profound gratitude to the Mills-led government for putting up a six-unit classroom block, including an office and store, for the Junior High School (JHS) of the church.

Launching an appeal to the President, through the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the Head Pastor called on the government to help resource the Educational Unit of the church to become a fully-fledged one. Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, in his remarks, assured the members of the church of the commitment of his office to provide the necessary materials t make the unit functional.

He promised to donate 100 bags of cement for the completion of the on-going construction of the church’s school block.