Two weeks after an initial report on the compliance of some churches and mosques to the government’s coronavirus protocols, The Finder returned to ascertain the current compliance levels of those religious groups.
Mallam Central Mosque – Mallam-Gbawe
The Mallam Central Mosque opened on Friday with many members in attendance. Unfortunately, all couldn’t enter the main mosque, so they decided to pray on the corridors, amongst other convenient places, following the social distancing protocols.
This paper observed that most of them came along with their personal mats and wore nose masks as directed by the authorities in the mosque.
It was also observed that there was one Veronica bucket at the front of the mosque, where worshippers washed their hands at before entering.
Speaking to a leader in the mosque, Issaka Ali, he noted that the mosque is currently not facing any challenges, and added that they have put a lot of measures in place to cater for the needs of their congregants.
He added, “Looking at the rate at which the virus is spreading in Ghana, the mosque has decided to put away all their buta (kettles) to avoid the spread of the disease.”
He explained that “anyone could come from elsewhere to pray here since this is a central mosque”.
This paper also noted that most of the children were seated outside the mosque offering their own prayers.
Jesus Glory Ministries – Darkuman Kokompe
After two weeks of service, Nesta Bruce-Nanakaein, the Assistant Secretary of the Church, stated that the duration allocated to each service per the government’s directive on May 31, 2020 was not sufficient, hence it would be much better if it was extended.
“An extension in the duration of service would enable us have enough time for both worship and hear the Word of God. Unfortunately, in our case, worship is greatly affected as limited time is allocated to it,” he said.
He mentioned that “the number of congregants could also be extended. However, it shouldn’t exceed the number that a particular church could take whilst adhering to the distancing protocols”.
He also indicated that one main challenge being faced by the church now is poor attendance by members. He attributed this to the fact that the confirmed cases in Ghana keep rising, which, in his view, is causing fear among members, hence their unwillingness to attend church service.
This paper observed that the social distancing protocols were well carried out, as well as the checking of the temperature with the temperature gauge.
The church had two Veronica buckets at its entrance, as well as ushers taking the details of all congregants.
Abossey-Okai Central Mosque
At the arrival of The Finder reporters, the Abossey-Okai Central Mosque was still closed as directed by the National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
Christ Apostolic Church International (Praise Temple, Abossey-Okai)
At the time of arrival at the Christ Apostolic Church International at Abossey-Okai yesterday, the sermon was being heard.
It was observed that there were three protocol officers at the entrance of the church - two males and one female, one of whom was holding a temperature gun which was being used to check the body temperatures of all members prior to entering. The protocol officers were not in any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); rather, they were clad in their Sunday apparel. The contact details of members were also being taken.
It was observed that the chairs were sparsely arranged. About 80 chairs were arranged, with some unoccupied. Essentially, social distancing was adhered to.
Abossey-Okai Worship Centre (AOWC)/Church of Pentecost (CoP)
At the time of arrival at AOWC, a Veronica bucket had been placed at the entrance, where members were required to wash their hands before entering. There were protocol officers on hand to take people’s contact details and temperature and also ensure that hand sanitizer was used before entry.
This being the first time the Church of Pentecost was reopening across the country since the President directed that religious gatherings could be observed with a maximum of 100 people, the attendance wasn't minimal by normal standards.
Speaking to some members, they said the low attendance was expected because it was the first time they were meeting since the directive by the President. They added optimistically that attendance will pick up with time.
The Finder reporters observed that all protocols were heeded to. Members were sparsely seated, with both entry and exit points clearly defined.
It would be recalled that the Church of Pentecost postponed its reopening date after the President's directive. Explaining the rationale behind its decision, the church, in a statement signed by its chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, indicated that it wanted to ensure that it was fully prepared before reopening.
Part of its statement read, "In the light of the above, the Executive Council directs that under the supervision of area heads, district pastors and the respective presbyteries, the various Assemblies use the next two weeks to take practical steps to meet the full requirements or protocols for the partial opening of assemblies for church services. Thus, the Assemblies may be opened on or after June 19, 2020, and that services in church buildings should start in assemblies only when adequate preparation has been made to satisfy the required protocols."
Asofan Central Mosque
At the Asofan Central Mosque, the situation was not much better than it was at the Finder’s last visit. Though there were now posters stating that “no mask, no service; no mask, no entry”, there was nothing markedly different from what pertained two weeks ago.
There were Veronica buckets placed at the entrance for worshippers to wash their hands and apply sanitizers, but this was about it.
Inside the mosque itself, there was no social distancing witnessed by the reporters, either at the male side or the female side, though the female worshippers all had masks on. Worshippers stood or sat less than a metre apart. There were already mats lined up for worship at the start of service, and these were shared by worshippers. Indeed, only two people were seen to have bought their own mats from home.
The rule for compulsory wearing of masks was not being observed as a few worshippers went in to pray without face masks.
Most worshippers performed their ablutions before leaving home, so they did not have to use the public buta lined up in front of the mosques. Those few who hadn’t, however, were noted to have unwittingly shared buta.
When interviewed on the compliance of the mosque to the COVID-19 directives, one of the executives of Asofan Central Mosque, Yusuf Lamptey seemed clueless about some of the requirements.
Specifically on the wearing of masks, he explained that, “When I entered I saw some people without it and that did not sit well with me. As you have seen, I have also seen that people are not using them, so we’ll have to enforce the rule. Today, we had a guest Imam so he did not enforce the rule, but I’ll have some discussions with our sitting Imam so we enforce the rule.”
Notably absent were the thermometer gun and the registry for keeping a record of worshippers. Mr Lamptey explained this saying, “We don’t write our names. We were thinking that as government says we should not exceed 100 people and we don’t even have 30 people today, it is unnecessary to write down names.”
He disclosed also that on the three occasions that they have congregated, no names have been taken. He, however, promised to remedy the situation going forward.
Assemblies of God – Asofan Assembly One visible change upon entering the Assemblies of God Church at Asofan is the display of written instructions on some required COVID-19 protocols for worshippers to follow.
As was the case at the last time of visiting, chairs were spaced one metre apart, with all windows and louvres open to allow for ventilation while some of the fans were on. There was a Veronica bucket as was the case previously. Also present was a thermometer gun and a notebook for the taking of names of all visitors to the church.
An additional protocol which was sighted was the use of hand sanitizers on the microphones upon each use. However, music ministers were seen to have their masks lowered. Other than this, the rest of the congregation was fully masked.
The pastor in charge of the Assemblies of God – Asofan Assembly, Rev Charles Kotey, spent the first five minutes of his sermon admonishing his congregation to follow the laid down protocols and not underestimate the virus.
He spoke to The Finder after the service and said, “Last time the only problem we had was the display of some instructions, but concerning fumigation, we have done that; providing Veronica buckets, we’ve done that; the sanitizer, the water, the soap, in fact all the protocols. We even have face masks in reserve for those who will come without them. So the only problem was the displaying of the notices.”
He also told this paper that they created a room for the elderly members of the congregation so they may be isolated from the rest of the congregation.
As far as he is concerned, they are as compliant as can be. He also disclosed that there are two services held for the congregation, which he ministers. He, however, said that from the first Sunday of July, the services will be done on language basis –English and Twi – where his assistants will take charge of one or the other.
Our checks revealed that in none of the three services held since the beginning of the month, the church reached the 100 persons threshold as given by government.
Christ Deliverance Power Ministry International
The most notable difference at the Christ Deliverance Power Ministry International from the first post-restriction service was the availability of a thermometer gun and the COVID-19 education materials on display at the church premises.
As was the case a fortnight ago, visitors were required to wash their hands and apply hand sanitizer upon entering the church. There was also a strict “no mask, no entry” requirement being enforced.
In the auditorium itself, chairs were spaced a metre apart, with all fans on and all windows opened to allow for ventilation.
Almost all the congregants had their masks on during the service. There wasn’t anything different from what pertained at The Finder’s last visit. However, we noted that this time the service exceeded the allocated 1 hour duration by 21 minutes.
When questioned about this particular issue, associate pastor of the church, Rev Charles Agyenim-Boateng explained that the undue extension had been as a result of a naming ceremony which had taken place in the course of the service, which, in his own words, “shouldn’t have been so”.
Here also, our checks revealed that none of the three Sunday services had recorded 100 people in attendance since restrictions were lifted.
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