Ghana: Updated information on the Nyame Som Pa church
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA10514 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Updated information on the Nyame Som Pa church, 1 March 1992, GHA10514, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc342.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
On 14 June 1989 the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) introduced the Religious Bodies Registration Law (PNDC Law 221) requiring all religious bodies to register with the Ministry of the Interior (The African Letter 16-31 May 1990). On 19 June 1989 the government put a freeze on the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses and those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or Mormons. At the same time, two local churches: the Nyame Som Pa Church at Ekwamkron and the Church of Jesus Christ of DZorwulu in Accra were also disbanded as their activities were "not conducive to public morality and decency" (BBC Summary of World Broadcasts 20 June 1989). On 1 November 1991 the ban on the activities of the Jehovah's Witnesses was lifted (Ghanaian Times 1 November 1991).
The latest information about the Nyame Som Pa Church is contained in a letter dated 13 January 1992 from the Jehovah's Witnesses Tower House in Accra, Ghana, and addressed to the Chief of the Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre at Toronto II. The letter states that the ban is still in effect and "we are not aware of any representation that these two churches have made to the government to have this situation reviewed." Further information on this subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC in Ottawa.
Bibliography
The African Letter [Toronto]. 16-31 May 1990. "Religion and Politics."
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 June 1989. "Jehovah's Witnesses Publications Banned, Radio Calls for Ban On Other Sects."
Ghanaian Times [Accra]. 1 November 1991. "Ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Lifted."
Watch Tower House, Accra. 13 January 1992. Letter to Director of Research, IRBDC, Toronto II.
Attachments
The African Letter [Toronto]. 16-31 May 1990. "Religion and Politics."
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 June 1989. "Jehovah's Witnesses Publications Banned, Radio Calls for Ban On Other Sects."
Ghanaian Times [Accra]. 1 November 1991. "Ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Lifted."
Watch Tower House, Accra. 13 January 1992. Letter to Director of Research, IRBDC, Toronto II.
