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Nations in Ghana’s capital Accra, spokesman of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Freeman Tetteh has confirmed.
Thousands of people flocked to the evangelical church for “holy water”, which they believed had healing powers, leading to the crush.
“All of us were caught by surprise. No-one knew the crowd will be so huge,” said police spokesman Freeman Tetteh.
The church is run by prominent Nigerian preacher, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua.
He is one of the wealthiest and most popular evangelical clerics in Africa and his Synagogue Church of All Nations claims it can perform miracles, such as curing blindness.
Mr Tetteh told the BBC’s Newsday programme there was a larger than expected crowd at the service after church officials announced that “holy water” would be given to worshippers.
“The church was also caught by surprise . . . Nobody can apportion blame (at this stage),” he said.
“We need to investigate and establish responsibility.”
Some of the wounded were in a critical condition in hospital, Mr Tetteh said.
The stampede took place when people at the back of the church began to push to get to the altar, AFP news agency reports.
“The crowd surged forward and became uncontrollable,” Mr Tetteh told the BBC.
One worshipper, Gertrude Sumbamala said she had suffered a broken leg after being caught up in the stampede, AFP reports.
“People from the back, they pushed . . . and they fell on us. So we were battered by a lot of forces,” Ms Sumbamala is quoted as saying.
The church’s Rev Sam McCaanan told local radio station Citi News that the stampede was regrettable.
“We are devastated, it’s very unfortunate and we are very sorry,” he is quoted as saying.
Early this month Prophet T. B. Joshua had to apologise to Multimedia Group Ltd (MGL) of Ghana over the detention of two of its two journalists.
Reporters Emmanuel Anteh and Cameraman Gilbert Azu were detained by the prophet’s security personnel for not seeking permission before covering a church programme at the Ghana branch of SCOAN at Spintex.
Enraged by the action of the security details, the Ghana Journalists Association asked the police, to investigate the circumstances that led to the detention of the journalists. Speaking on behalf of Prophet T B Joshua and SCOAN, Public Relations Officer of the church, Mr. Samuel Excellence said the Prophet condemned the act.
“I want to say that he is very, very sorry”, Mr. Excellence said.
He said the detention of the journalists was not at the prophet’s instruction, adding it was an act of an over- zealous security personnel.
He commended MGL and the press in Ghana for helping to correct some of the misconceptions about Prophet T.B. Joshua.
Managing Editor of Joy News on Multi TV, Emma Morrison and Programmes Director, Abdulai Awudu, who spoke on behalf of MGL were happy with the gesture.
Abdulai Awudu was hopeful the “unfortunate” incidence will serve a positive purpose of establishing friendly ties between MGL and SCOAN. — Wires.
Online Reporter