Gospel musician Great Ampong has criticised the growing lack of concern among some Ghanaian pastors, arguing that the pursuit of money and personal interests has overshadowed the core responsibility of winning souls.
The musician said many religious leaders appear unconcerned about the difficulties facing others as long as they and their immediate circles are not affected, a situation he believes has contributed to the growing social vices in the country.
In his assessment, about 80% of Ghanaian pastors know they have disappointed God through their conduct and the way they approach ministry.
“Ghanaian pastors are nonchalant and uncaring. So far as the doom is not befalling them, they have no interest in other people’s predicaments,” he said, questioning whether the attitude was rooted in culture or individual behaviour.
Ampong argued that the church’s diminishing influence on the lives of some people is the reason church going has lost its relevance.
“Adults would rather waste their Sundays in betting rooms and other settings committing vices than be in church. We have lost the anointing and essence of ministry. Money making is more than winning souls”
He also raised concerns about what he sees as a loss of integrity in some aspects of contemporary ministry, particularly the use of prophecies and claims of miracles.
According to him, some pastors make prophecies or perform acts presented as miracles only to later explain them as staged arrangements, a practice he believes undermines the credibility of the church and weakens public confidence in spiritual leadership.
Nonetheless, Great Ampong argued that redeeming Christianity is a collective duty which does not rest solely with pastors, adding that church members must also take a more active role in examining the teachings they receive.
He urged Christians to complement sermons with personal Bible study instead of accepting every message from the pulpit without reflection. He warned that a failure to examine scripture independently could leave believers spiritually misled.
