The Assemblies of God Church in Ghana has called on members in the Bohien chapter in the Ashanti Region to remain calm following recent protests against the appointment of a new pastor.
Church leaders said they were actively addressing the concerns of their members and were committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the issue.
Protests have erupted in the Bohien chapter over the appointment of a new pastor, with some members feeling that the appointment was forced upon them.
The situation worsened when security was called in during the inauguration.
Following the retirement of Pastor Stephen Yaw Manu, church members recommended his long-time companion and a familiar face since childhood, Pastor Bismarck Opoku, as his successor.
However, church leadership chose to ignore the wishes of the faithful and appoint new leaders, citing the constitution which gives district and regional executives the power to make such decisions.
Church members insisted that they wanted autonomy in selecting their leader, but the leaders insisted that the Constitution took precedence over their wishes. They explained that when the bishop’s term expired, his assistant’s term would also expire, and a new leader would be chosen by vote. As a result, a new bishop was appointed, but some members voiced opposition.
Church leaders denied forcing new leadership on the congregation, saying the bishop was only there to introduce a new pastor.
But following previous harassment, the supervisor took precautions and arrived at the scene with police and army officers who were also church members to protect him.
This created confusion among members who thought an initiation ceremony was taking place, leading to large-scale protests and rising tensions. Things got out of control and the senior pastor was forced to flee for his own safety.
Responding, church spokesman Roland Affail Mony called for calm and unity, urging believers to prioritise peace and harmony and shun violence as encouraged in Ephesians 4:3.
“I call for absolute calm while emergency measures are taken to deal with the situation,” he said.
Afeilu Monyi reaffirmed the church’s commitment to its core mission of spreading the message of Christ across the country, stressing the need to remain focused on this goal.
He encouraged believers to trust in the efforts of leaders to resolve concerns and prioritise harmony, and for the Church to remain a beacon of unity and love.
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