Churches in the Eastern Region are making arrangements to hold service for members using social media platforms in the wake of the coronavirus cases recorded in the country.
Some Pastors on Sunday shifted attention from normal church activities to give lectures on COVID-19 which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.
When Citi News visited the Miracle Centre branch of the Full Gospel Church International in Koforidua, the head pastor together with health professionals who are members of the church were using projected videos and pictures to educate the congregation on the deadly virus.
Rev. Bower Tetteh Solomon Amartey, the head pastor of the church told Citi News that the Church is ready to use social media platforms to hold services if the situation gets out of hand.
“When people gather, there is a tendency to spread the disease especially if someone has it already. So the wisest thing is to avoid mass gatherings. When it gets to that level, we will use social media to do church until the situation abases. I hope it is not anything difficult. Schools are doing it. So it is possible. When we come to the bridge, we will cross it,” he remarked.
He further urged all pastors to make decisions towards the situation at hand in relation to handling the church in the era of coronavirus.
Churches in Accra
In Ghana’s capital Accra, some churches are also taking pragmatic steps to ensure that members are protected from the virus.
Citi News’ checks at the Holy Spirit Cathedral and the Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church showed a change in the way Holy Communion is administered.
Although the churches failed to provide water, soap or hand sanitizers for the worshippers, most of them came in with their own sanitizers.
One gentleman said, “It is a lot of risk but wherever there is God, there is hope. So you can’t say because of that, you shouldn’t go to church.”
Another stated that: “The priests here have taught us how to handle ourselves here. It is God who handles everything here. But of course, there are some things we used to do in church that we have to avoid.”
“I didn’t protect myself because I’m not afraid. I don’t trust that the virus is here. I am not scared because my God protects me so I don’t use sanitizers,” a lady insisted.
Church of Pentecost on Covid-19
The Church of Pentecost has directed all its branches nationwide to educate their congregants on measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus in Ghana.
This was after the country confirmed its first cases of the virus in the country on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The instruction was sent in an internal circular sighted by citinewsroom.com and signed by Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.
The church also urged the general public not to fear, panic or spread anxiety about the novel coronavirus disease but instead pray to God to help contain the spread.
Ghana records four more cases
In the latest development, four more cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Ghana.
This brings to six, the total number of cases reported in the country.
This was announced on Sunday, March 15 by the government at a press briefing to update citizens on the outbreak of the COVID-19 in the country.