Newton-Offei Accuses Some Church Leaders of Exploiting Congregants for ‘Obscene Opulence
Former Head of Writers at the Communications Directorate of the Office of the President, Jubilee House and International Relations Expert, Justice A. Newton-Offei, has criticised what he describes as the growing materialism within sections of Ghana’s Christian community, accusing some church leaders of benefiting excessively from the financial contributions of their congregants.
In a strongly worded statement, Newton-Offei said the Christian gospel was fundamentally about salvation, discipleship and caring for others, rather than the pursuit of earthly wealth.
He titled his statement, “Foolish Congregants Paying for the Opulence of Charlatanic Infidels.”
‘The Gospel has been hijacked’
Newton-Offei cited the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, in which Jesus instructs his disciples to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observe his commands. The biblical passage is commonly known as the Great Commission.
He argued that the message of Christianity had been diverted by what he described as “wicked and perverted crooks” seeking personal power and material wealth.
He titled his statement, “Foolish Congregants Paying for the Opulence of Charlatanic Infidels.”
‘The Gospel has been hijacked’
Newton-Offei cited the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, in which Jesus instructs his disciples to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observe his commands. The biblical passage is commonly known as the Great Commission.
He argued that the message of Christianity had been diverted by what he described as “wicked and perverted crooks” seeking personal power and material wealth.
According to him, the Christian faith should emphasise salvation, communal responsibility and spirituality rather than individual material accumulation.
“The gospel of Christ is salvation; not earthly materialism. It is about caring for one-another; not individualism,” Newton-Offei wrote.
Criticism of Duncan-Williams and other church leaders
Newton-Offei specifically criticised Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, alleging that the Archbishop’s conduct towards some churchgoers amounted to disrespect, while congregants continued to support him.
He also mentioned Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah and Archbishop Charles Agyinasare in connection with his broader criticism of church leadership and wealth.
Newton-Offei also revisited the debate over the suspension of public gatherings during Ghana’s COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
At the time, religious leaders publicly engaged government over restrictions on church gatherings. MyJoyOnline reported in May 2020 that Sam Korankye Ankrah appeared on JoyNews’ Beyond the Lockdown programme and argued that churches could resume services while observing health and safety protocols. He said churches were prepared to manage numbers, social distancing and other measures to reduce the risk of infection.
Newton-Offei interprets those appeals differently, arguing that churches could have continued worship in homes during the restrictions.
He referenced Matthew 18:20, which speaks of Christ being present where two or three gather in his name, to support his argument that Christians could worship privately with family members.
Questions over tithes and offerings
A central part of Newton-Offei’s criticism concerns the role of tithes and offerings in Ghanaian Christianity.
He alleged that some congregants work hard to make ends meet but continue to contribute financially to churches and religious leaders whose lifestyles, in his view, are inconsistent with the principles of the gospel.
Newton-Offei therefore placed part of the responsibility on congregants themselves, arguing that Christians should scrutinise how their financial contributions are used and whether religious institutions are fulfilling their spiritual and social responsibilities.
