Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International, Bishop Charles Agyinasare has accused the two main political parties in the country of neglecting the church in their governments’ policy initiatives for religious groups despite the significant contribution of the church to the country’s economy.
According to Bishop Agyinasare, the political parties especially the two main parties and their governments, since the inception of the Fourth Republic, have initiated and implemented policies for various groups in the country including minority religious groups but left out the church and its members. He added that the only thing the church keeps getting from the political parties and their members is threats of closure and taxation.
Addressing congregants during church service on Sunday, 13 September 2020 at the Perez Dome, Dzorwulu, the Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International cautioned government to stay away from the church’s proceeds if they would not acknowledge the church and its members in their policy initiatives.
“There are various and definite things all the parties are doing for various groups including minority religious groups in this country. Since the inception of our Fourth Republic Constitution, no party, be it NDC or NPP, has included the church in their plans,” he told the congregants.
He continued to say “what the church keeps receiving over the years from political figures in the media are threats of closure and taxation of churches. If government would not help the church, they should not be eyeing what she gets from tithes and offerings.”
Bishop Agyinasare also accused the parties of not involving the church and its members in drafting their manifestos for the 2020 elections. He said though the church forms 70 percent of the country’s population and contributes more than any other grouping to the economy of the country, the political parties in consulting various groupings for policy ideas for their manifestos ahead of the December Elections left out the church.
While demanding a commitment from the parties to a 10 point proposal he made “for national development”, he wants the parties to outline supportive policies for the church which he said have provided numerous interventions for the less privileged in the country.
“As they consider the 10 points, they must begin to talk about how to support the churches that have provided several interventions for the needy and poor in society. They should stop taking the Church for granted because sleeping giant is waking up,” he stated.
Bishop Charles Agyinasare who is the founder of Perez Chapel International has been vociferous on issues of national development.
During the voters registration exercise, he condemned what he said was the harassment and branding of some Ghanaians as Togolese describing it as divisive and dangerous.
He was allegedly threatened following his continuous criticism of politicians and political parties but the Nation’s Prophet and Pastor as he is popularly called said he is not intimidated by the threats and vilification.
