COVID-19: Pastor arrested for holding Church Service

Source: Starfm Online | 18 March 2020

The Head Pastor of the Open Arms Ministry in North Suntreso in Kumasi, Ashanti region, has been arrested by the Police for failing to adhere to the President’s directive banning all public gatherings due to the spread of the deadly COVID-19 in the country.

The church was holding its service on Wednesday when the Police stormed the premises and arrested the head pastor and other assistant pastors.

In a video circulating on Social Media, the congregants who were in their hundreds were busily singing when the Police entered and effectively stopped the service.

President Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020, announced that all public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, political rallies, sporting events, services in churches and mosques have been suspended for the next four weeks.

Private burials were, however, permitted but with limited numbers not exceeding 25 people in attendance.

The measures were announced by the President to slow the spread of the Coronavirus that has killed over 8,000 people and has infected 200, 000 people globally.

Ghana has so far recorded seven cases of the Coronavirus with more cases expected according to the Ghana Health Service.