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Stampede over so called holy water: Ghana stampede kills four at TB Joshua's church
http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2013/05/stampede-over-so-called-holy-water.html
Scramble over TB Joshua ‘holy water’ T. B. Joshua’s ‘Holy Water’: T. B. Joshua’s ‘Holy Water’ Was To End Poverty – SCOAN Evangelist
TB Joshua Water Victims Discharged
http://ghanareporters.com/2013/05/22/tb-joshua-water-victims-discharged/
Police reports indicates that the 21 victims, who sustained injuries during a stampede which left four others dead last Sunday at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), have all been treated and discharged from the various health facilities within Accra, where they were sent for treatment.Eleven of the victims were sent to the Police Hospital while 10 others were admitted at the 37 Military Hospital.
Police said most of the victims were treated and discharged on the same day of the incident while the rest, who remained on admission, left their sick beds the following Monday.
The four persons, who died as a result of the stampede, have been identified as John Brainoo, a 61-year-old member of the church who lived at Ashaiman; Esther Adabadzi, 39, a worker at Mass Education Field Work Community Development, Amasaman and a resident of Achimota; Mike Teye, 35, a businessman who lived at Ashaiman and Emmanuel Thomas Addo, a 50-year-old man, also a member of the church and a resident of Darkuman.
Three of the bodies have been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue while one is at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
Superintendent J A Aduhene Benie, the Airport District Police Commander, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE , said the process of investigations had begun by the police.
Police have met with leaders of the church and their statements have also been taken.
Police have also gone to court to sign a coronal report for the post mortem to be conducted on the bodies to find out the real cause of death as required by law.
He revealed that the autopsy would be done at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital; hence, police would supervise the process to make sure that all the bodies are transported to Korle Bu within this week.
“When the cause of death is ascertained after the autopsy, then police will know the next line of action to take.”
He also revealed that bodies would not be released to deceased families until the autopsy was done and the cause of death established.
Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed authorities of the Church to stop hosting revivals, crusades and other scheduled church events at their Spintex Road church.
In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, DCOP Yohuno, who was at the scene last Sunday, said the church could use the Accra Sports Stadium or the Black Star Square for such events since the church premises was too small to contain the large number who visited it during such programmes.
“The stampede could have been avoided if the church had chosen a bigger venue to hold its events instead of the church premises,” he said.
Sunday service by the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) became tragic when four persons lost their lives due to a stampede over anointed water.
The water was said to have been blessed by leader of the church Prophet TB Joshua from Nigeria.
Upon hearing the announcement purportedly telecasted live on the church’s television station, Emmanuel TV, hundreds of believers of the church trooped to its Spintex road premises for the anointed water.
Some members of the church were said to have stormed the place the previous night before the service could start that Sunday morning.
Information gathered indicated that even though the church requested security assistance, police personnel deployed could not control the massive crowd.
About 45, 000 believers were said to have visited the church that fateful day for the anointed water.
Deaths At TB Joshua’s Church Were Sacrifices – Rev. Bempah
http://ghanareporters.com/2013/05/20/deaths-at-tb-joshuas-church-were-sacrifices-rev-bempah/
20 May 2013
Rev. Owusu Bempah claims, Presidents who befriend the Nigerian prophet, head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), with a congregation of several hundred thousand, either die before their time or experience war in their countries.
As well, Rev. Owusu Bempah insists the four deaths, which occurred last Sunday at the Ghana branch of SCOAN, were not normal, but the victims had been used for rituals by the Prophet.
He said although Pastors like Benny Hinn, T.D Jakes, Oyedepo all command huge crowds when they visit various countries, there are no stampedes at their events.
Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah made these claims on Adom TV’s Badwam morning show on Monday.
Four people died, and 30 others were injured at the Spintex road location of SCOAN Ghana during last Sunday’s church service after a stampede to receive supposedly anointed water from Prophet T.B Joshua.
According to DSP Freeman Tetteh, Greater Accra Regional Police PRO, the stampede occurred despite the presence of Police, Military and Fire Service personnel, who were overwhelmed by the sudden surge of people.
He explained that, lots of people gathered in and around the church when they heard that there was going to be sharing of anointing water.
The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into the matter, he said, adding that no arrest has been made.
Contributing to the panel discussion, the MP for Dade-Kotopon, Hon. Nii Amasah Namoale maintained that God has stopped speaking through his Prophets after the coming of Jesus Christ but rather speaks through the books of the New Testament.
He agreed with Rev Owusu Bempah that Prophet T.B. Joshua has not been sent by God but is only seeking attention to expand his church.