By King Amoah
Kumasi, Ashanti Region – A prominent spiritual teacher from Kumasi, Mr. Emmanuel Fori, has issued a compelling call for the establishment of a Ministry of Religious Affairs in Ghana, aimed at addressing the growing problem of fraudulent religious leaders.
In an interview with the correspondent, Mr. Fori expressed his deep concern over the proliferation of individuals posing as “men of God” who, he claims, are using religion to exploit and defraud the public, rather than transforming communities for the better.
Fori lamented the worrying trend of so-called pastors who are twisting scripture, spreading false doctrines, and causing harm to families and marriages. He stated that an alarming number of pastors have become “prophets” offering prophecies that create confusion and threaten the peace and stability of the nation.
This problem extends to pastors engaging in dishonest activities beyond their religious duties, as Fori accuses some of being involved in travel scams and other fraudulent schemes.
“Instead of using the word of God to uplift the society, these individuals are using it to enrich themselves at the expense of the vulnerable,” said Mr. Fori. He further attributed the nation’s economic struggles in part to the unscrupulous actions of these “hungry” religious figures who prioritize their own needs over the teachings of the Bible.
He says these individuals lack the core values of righteousness and ethical conduct that pastors should portray.
According to Mr. Fori, instead of serving as role models and representatives of God, many pastors are now a source of division and chaos in communities. He emphasized that true ministers of the faith should be agents of unity, peace, and positive social impact, not conduits for fraud and exploitation.
Mr. Fori believes a new government ministry is necessary to help address the situation. He called on President-elect John Dramani Mahama to prioritize the creation of a Ministry of Religious Affairs, arguing that it would provide a necessary platform for vetting religious leaders and exposing those who use the cloak of faith for personal gain.
He pointed out that many of these quack “men of God” have successfully manipulated the public and even politicians into believing in their authenticity, often charging large sums of money for their worthless “services.”
The spiritual teacher believes this ministry could introduce much-needed regulation and oversight to the religious sector, helping to protect vulnerable individuals from being deceived by those seeking to profit from people’s faith. This is crucial he said for safeguarding the spiritual well-being of citizens and preserving the integrity of religious institutions in Ghana.
Mr. Fori’s call represents a growing concern among some Ghanaians regarding the need for greater accountability and transparency within the religious sector. His proposal for a Ministry of Religious Affairs seeks to address these concerns head-on, fostering a more ethical and trustworthy religious environment for all.
As Ghana awaits President Mahama’s response, the spotlight remains on the possibility for government intervention to address this critical issue.
