The leadership of the Christian Divine Church has reached out to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yahonu, seeking his intervention to amicably resolve the issues confronting the church.
The church leadership believes that the IGP’s intervention will help to address the challenges and find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
They alleges that the police command at Tarkwa has shown bias in handling a leadership crisis within the church, emboldening a faction of pastors who have allegedly taken over the church through illegitimate means.
The church is adamant that the Ghana Police Service must remain neutral and professional, upholding law and order rather than taking sides in the dispute. This stance is crucial in ensuring that the crisis is resolved fairly and peacefully.
“We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to launch an investigation into the conduct of the Tarkwa Police Command. IGP must ensure that the Ghana Police Service remains a neutral and professional body that upholds law and order, not a partisan tool aiding in the destruction of Christian Divine Church.”
A bitter leadership dispute has engulfed the Christian Divine Church, with a faction of pastors accused of orchestrating a coup to seize control of the church.
The crisis has sparked allegations of police complicity, with the church leadership calling for an investigation into the conduct of the Tarkwa Police Command.
According to Ekow Dadzie, Western Regional Secretary for Christian Divine Church said the troubles began in October 2024 when the church leadership issued a letter calling for elections.
However, a faction of pastors, led by Pastor Baidoo and Pastor Antwi, allegedly refused to follow the agreed-upon process, leading to a series of court cases.
Despite a terms of settlement being signed by all parties, he said the faction allegedly disregarded the agreement and went ahead to hold elections, which resulted in the illegitimate election of a new chairman and deputy chairman.
They claimed that the faction has since engaged in a series of disruptive and illegal actions, including breaking into the church headquarters, removing equipment, and intimidating junior pastors who refuse to support their actions.
The church has accused the Tarkwa Police Command of emboldening the coupists, citing repeated requests for protection that were ignored, while the police allegedly provided protection to the illegal faction.
The church has assured its members that it remains committed to unity and peace but will not sit idly by while illegitimacy and fraud are perpetrated. The crisis has sparked concerns about the future of the church and the rule of law.
The Christian Divine Church is appealing to its members to remain steadfast and hopeful that order will be restored. The church is calling for the rule of law to be upheld and for the Ghana Police Service to remain neutral and professional.
“We call on all well-meaning members of the CDC, junior pastors and pastors who have stood faithfully for the truth not to lose hope but be encouraged that order will be restored in due course.”
Source: Bernard K Dadzie; Greater Accra Region
