Prophet Kumchacha, whose real name is Nicholas Osei, has kicked against a plan by the State to audit the funds of churches.
The renowned prophet’s reason for the protest is simple – money from the church belongs to God and not the State, hence the State has no business knowing what such funds are used for.
His comments follow the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs’ revelation that plans were far advanced in setting up a Charity Commission to evaluate and audit the activities of churches.
Reacting to the plan in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Kumchacha said the government must exclude itself from the affairs of churches.
“The affairs of the churches must be left for the Christian Council and other related bodies,” he said.
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To Prophet Kumchacha, there is no need for churches to be audited because the church is not a business entity.
“People see pastors living affluent and extravagant lifestyles and they think we are living on the offertory and tithes from church members; I don’t think you expect to see pastors on trucks and be pushed around because some of us have private businesses we operate for extra income,” he argued.
MeReverend Patrick Manteaw of the Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana also urged the government to build a consensus before rolling out any plan to audit the churches.
“I believe the church heads must be engaged because you can only audit someone you sponsor and it is not as if the church takes our monies from the Consolidated Fund,” he added.