It seems the words ‘pastor’ and ‘controversy’ are not far off from each other these days in Ghana. It seems wherever you turn a pastor is engaging in behaviour that warrants scrutiny but being the obedient people we are we always let it slide.

The latest pastor to let himself come into close proximity with controversy is the never far from controversy head pastor of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Center, Rev. Dr Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom.

The pastor has a lengthy sermon, during which he’s purported to be lecturing his congregants on some of the facts of life. According to omghana.com, Opambour told his congregants God has revealed to him the root cause of the Ebola Virus, and that it’s not originated from bush meat as scientists want the whole world to know.

According to him, God showed to him that the virus originated due to cannibalism, exhibited by hungry civilians during some war in Guinea. That is the origin of the virus, contracted from the dead bodies.

He therefore declared bush meat safe to eat, encouraging his congregants to disregard the directives to stay away from bush meat as the outbreak razes across Africa.

First that statement exhibits a flagrant disregard for a virus that has proven how deadly it is, currently causing severe problems in several African countries and hampering other businesses due to the mode of transmission. Kenya recently banned flights from all affected countries; this is not a disease to be trifled with.

Secondly, as a man of God Opambour exercises enormous influence over his congregation, and many more other Ghanaians, due to the pedestal pastors are placed on in this country, despite all evidence to the contrary. There is a good chance a lot of people would take his word as gospel, and go away disregarding all warnings concerning the likelihood of contracting Ebola through bush meat consumption.

Opambour’s comments are putting the country at considerable risk, especially at a time when the country is tense with the expectation of an outbreak due to its spread across several neighbouring countries. As a country we aren’t ready for an outbreak of a disease like Ebola that requires a round the clock commitment to contain its spread. We do everything else haphazardly, why not this as well.

Aside all that, the claims are ridiculous of course, Ebola has been around long enough for its source to be determined. And when it comes to a question of science which is actually making some progress towards finding a cure, and some pastor’s supposed vision, I know where my money’s going to be.

Unfortunately there are more people who would believe what he says, and their actions stand to put this country more at risk. The authorities in charge must come out and equivocally rubbish the claims of this man, get the people to believe decades of research over one man’s delusional ramblings.

Opambour also said humans are the only species amongst animals that stink when we die, that is the pointer that our meat is not for consumption.

I think this assertion sums up perfectly the degree of seriousness his claims should be addressed with.

Honestly, I don’t know how these pastors continue to enjoy their lofty perches with such public faux pas occurring almost all the time.