A leaked internal memo shows the chairman of the Church of Pentecost lamenting a decline in tithe and offering payment due to economic hardship.
According to a memo dated August 1, 2022 and signed by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, “the tithes and offering analysis from the Finance Department at the Headquarters” revealed that the church’s Downtown Ofakor Area catchment area had not brought in enough money to cover its expenses in the first half of the year.
The first-half spending plan totaled GHS3,188,529. Contrary to what was expected, the Area reported GHS2,780,537, with a discrepancy of GHS407,992 (12.80%), as stated in the letter.
Government officials believe the economic situation is dire because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 outbreak.
The message from headquarters also included an appeal to the branches in the Downtown Ofakor Area to keep working hard despite the difficulties in meeting the financial obligations.
We are cognizant of the far-reaching effects of the Ukrainian conflict and the continuing hardships caused by COVID-19. And yet, despite all this, let us keep working hard toward our yearly budget as we also pray with you.”
#FixTheCountry convener Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor posted a copy of the hacked letter on his Facebook page on August 18, 2022.
Many Ghanaians have taken to social media to express their disbelief at the amount of money that the Downtown Ofakor Area of the Church of Pentecost is earning in tithes and offerings alone, as revealed in the leaked letter.
It has also reemerged the never-ending discussion concerning the appropriateness or not of paying tithes, which some ministers of God themselves have stated various opinions on.
NKONKONSA.com