Dr. Adomako Kissi, Member of Parliament for Anyaa, has lauded the Inspector General of Police, George Akufo- Dampare, for engaging with the various religious heads on activities within the remit of the laws of the country.
Commenting on the meeting, he averred that the meeting was appropriate. He added that he is also impressed that a state institution like the Police Service, which handles welfare in terms of security is worried.
“It’s one of the most profound moments we’ve had with the fact that he [IGP] chaired the programme. I think it is good because he is calling to order. In as much as we are practicing religion, it shouldn’t be injurious to ourselves or to other people”.
Dr. Adomako Kissi
Dr.Kissi stated that unfortunately there’s been too many fraudulent pastors and too many fake religious men who are duping a lot of citizens and it’s only fair that the IGP brings such issues and others related to their religious activities to the limelight.
“If you consider even noise by itself, there’s not a permit to any religious body or any organization to give out the level of noise that we do either on Sunday or unfortunately midweek, that we hope we can have the peace of mind to rest after a long day’s work”.
Dr. Adomako Kissi
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Dr. Kissi suggested that if the IGP should hold the religious leaders and institutions accountable, per the noise levels that they over exceed during their sermons and services, he will be doing what the law requires for those checks and balances.
“I really think that it’s a good engagement and its one of several engagements [to come]. So, this is good and very fruitful and I think no organization should be injurious to either its members or other people”.
Dr. Adomako Kissi
IGP doing a great job
Also commenting on the meeting, Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, posited that the IGP is doing a great job and must be commended.
He indicated that he was impressed with the level of discipline in the system now. He added that he is happy about the education they have provided to the pastors and how he made a very clear statement on how they were taken through the laws of this country.
“The criminal code Acts 29 is very clear on what constitutes offences in this country. And so, in performing their religious obligations, they must be mindful of the limitations some of these enactments play on their right and freedom of worship which I think has been overly abused in this country”.
Mensah Thompson
He suggested that the IGP takes this region by region to some religious sets on the ground and not only end with the leadership of these religious bodies. He also urged the Police Service education directorate to put measures in place to embark on educating these religious bodies.
“In this country, … if they are having a service at 4:00am and you complain, you become the devil. So, it becomes very difficult for us to have any objective conversation about some of these things”.
Mensah Thompson
