Presby Moderator: We Need Names Of Sponsoring Philanthropists

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Parent Category: Our Country

Category: Religion

Created on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 00:00

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20 March 2013

Presby Moderator: We Need Names Of Sponsoring Philanthropists

Despite the guarantee from President John Dramani Mahama that the funding of the pilgrimage to Isreal for the 200 pastors is not from government, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey says; ‘I have doubts’.

President John Mahama on Tuesday met with various religious bodies in the country and reacted directly to the raging controversy over government’s intention to facilitate the trip of 200 pastors to Israel for a pilgrimage.

"We respect the various organisations but I want to clarify that it is from private sponsorship,” the President said.

Even though President Mahama reiterated that government is in no way funding the trip as reported, government officials failed to mention the names of the alleged philanthropists.

Speaking to Kwami Sefa-Kayi in an interview on Peace FM’s "Kokrokoo" programme, Rev. Martey insisted that he would need to know the source of the funding, adding; “I don’t accept money from people just like that”.

“We want more explanation...I have doubts about the source of funding.

I will not want to embark on a fixed trip without knowing who is paying for it. Not every money that comes should be accepted. My policy is that I don’t accept money from people just like that...who is that private person; but I don’t think this issue should be politicized. Personally it is not necessary; the money should be used for something else…”

Adding that: “His excellency spoke well; he explained that the trip is being sponsored by individual financiers but some of us would have wished that the president would mentioned those involved but he didn’t...he spoke nicely and we do understand him. He concluded that the issue should be put at the back burner...and that is exactly what we are going to do”.

Source: Rebecca Addo-Tetteh/peacefmonline.com