A statement signed by the General Secretary, Asiedu Nketia said the man of God’s latest attack on former President Mahama is part of a litany of vitriolic attacks launched by him against the party, leading figures and functionaries.

“One of such attacks was his unfounded claim that Former President Mahama and the NDC would cancel the Free Senior High School policy in the event the party won the 2020 General Election,” portions of the statement read.

Rev Ayensu, launched an unprovoked attack on former President John Dramani Mahama, over his recent pledge to ensure the immediate repeal of the E-levy law when the NDC assumes the reins of government.

But his comments have been condemned by many, especially members of the NDC with the church also coming under attack.

To set the records straight, the church in a statement issued on May 10, 2022, said the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, is the official Spokesperson of the Church, hence Rev. Ayensu’s comments were personal.

The NDC expressed profond gratitude to the Methodist Church for stating its position on the matter.

“We wish to state that at no point did the party or its leadership assume that the church lent its support or endorsement whatsoever to the regrettable conduct of the Rt. Rev. Bosomtwe Ayensu who often took advantage of the noble platform offered him by the church to engage in scurrilous attacks on leading figures of the NDC as though he was on a political campaign platform” the statement said.

The party has therefore reaffirmed its cordial working relationship with the Methodist Church of Ghana which has been a worthy partner in the democratic and developmental journey as a nation.

“The party hereby assures the Methodist Church that we shall continue to hold the church in high esteem as a strong pillar of development in the areas of education, and health, among others in our dear country, as we have trusted the church to remain a non-aligned stakeholder, a neutral arbiter and the moral compass of our society,” it pledged.

The statement emphasised several leaders of the NDC have been and are still devout members of the Methodist Church.

“Notably, President John Evans Atta Mills and Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, both of blessed memory were members of the Methodist Church in good standing until their passing.

“Similarly, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the immediate-past Running Mate to the Flagbearer of the NDC in the 2020 General Election is also a member of the Methodist Church,” the statement added. 

According to Rt. Rev Stephen Richard Bosomtwe Ayensu, any attempt to tax the offerings and tithes of churches will be like “touching the eye of God”.

Men of God in the country are divided over the proposal put forward by the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Kofi Nti.

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He has promised to pay informants 25 per cent of a penalty against churches hiding under a fellowship to make money without paying taxes to the state.

Kofi Nti’s decision has gotten the backing of President Akufo-Addo arguing that, churches have now moved into the realm of wealth creation and prosperity.

Speaking at the 2018 Synod of the Global Evangelical Church in Accra Thursday, the President said churches were no more the charity institutions they used to be as they are now focusing into education and healthcare delivery among others, thus placing them in the tax net.

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Though some pastors have welcomed the decision, others have kicked against it insisting that they pay taxes.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu urged government not to interfere in the affairs of the church.

He explained that, tithes and offerings are not gifts hence should not fall under taxable incomes.

Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu who is the Superintendent Minister Dzorwulu Circuit-Methodist Church opined that, the church is doing more than what taxes can cover hence it will be inconsequential to tax churches.

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The Methodist Bishop enumerated a number of social projects his church has been embarking on, saying a lot of churches also have special projects aimed at alleviating the plight of the deprived in society.

Therefore, Rt Rev Bosomtwe Ayensu said the church must not be seen as a money-making machine.