Rev. Ashong (left) presenting the petition to Mr. Nuhu
CONCERNED MEMBERS of Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) Wednesday embarked on a massive demonstration in Accra to express their dissatisfaction with the ongoing internal wrangling in the church.
According to the group, it fears that the unending confusion could spill over into the community and become a national problem as witnessed in various parts of the country lately.
The demonstration was attended by hundreds of church members across the country clad in the church’s T-shirt amidst drumming and dancing.
The demonstration started at about 10:00am at the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle through Adabraka Farisco, TUC and ended at the Hearts Park at about 12:00 noon.
Some of the placards they held read, “Don’t change the constitution of MDCC,” “If Ghana needs peace, MDCC also need peace,” “Mozano belongs to all MDCC members,” “True Christians preach peace, love and unity,” “Honorable parliamentarians we need peace in our church” and “Please don’t use Musama church name for litigation.”
In a petition to President Mills through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, the District Pastor of MDCC, Accra, Rev. R.K Ashong appealed to him to use his office to help restore peace in the church, after almost ten years of litigation at the law court.
Giving a background to the conflict, he said the MDCC was founded in 1922 by Prophet Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah and when he died in 1948, Prophet Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah succeeded his father as the Ahaboha II (General Head Prophet) until 1972 when he died.
Rev. Ashong said Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah succeeded his father as Akaboha III till 2002, when he was asked to step aside due to a sexual scandal.
He said in March 2006, the Swedru High Court after a three year trial declared Akaboha III dismissed from office and perpetually banned him, his agents or assignees from performing any activity in the church.
Rev. Ashong said Prophet Miritaiah asked for a stay of execution at the Swedru High Court and later the Appeal Court, but his applications were turned down by both courts. He applied for an injunction to be placed on the judgment but this was refused.
He said finally, the Appeal Court by a unanimous decision dismissed his appeal but Prophet Miritaiah gave a notice to appeal at the Supreme Court.
Rev Ashong said a faction in the church says until the Supreme Court overturns the judgment, Prophet Miritaiah or anyone who claims to be his follower has no mandate to do anything in the name of the MDCC.
The situation he said has brought conflict in the church. “We want the issue to be taken out of the law court and solved amicably in the church for peace to prevail.”
M.A Nuhu, Director at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, who received the petition on behalf of the minister promised to take their petition to the minister.
By Cephas Larbi
