By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Director of Strategy and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Sammy Darko, has confirmed that his office has officially received multiple petitions calling for investigations into the conduct of some pastors regarding church offerings.
According to Mr. Darko, the petitions submitted by concerned citizens and civil society advocates raise serious questions about how certain churches solicit, manage, and account for offerings collected during services. Petitioners are urging the OSP to examine whether some fundraising practices may amount to financial exploitation, abuse of trust, or violations of charitable and consumer protection laws.
“We have received petitions asking us to investigate pastors over church offering,” Mr. Darko noted, stressing that the concerns will be evaluated thoroughly in line with legal standards and the mandate of the OSP.
He explained that although churches are permitted to raise funds for their activities, they are equally required to operate within ethical and lawful bounds, particularly where public financial contributions are involved. The OSP, he added, will study the petitions and determine the appropriate investigative steps.
This revelation comes at a time when public discourse on transparency and accountability within religious institutions is intensifying. Several pastors have come under scrutiny in recent years over aggressive fundraising methods and the commercialization of spiritual services.
The acknowledgment from the OSP signals what could be a significant shift toward oversight and financial accountability in the religious sector. Further updates are expected as the office reviews the petitions and charts the way forward.
