Ekoso (Eastern Region), 12th May ?99 –
People afflicted by an outbreak of yaws at Ekoso, near Asamankese, have refused medical treatment because they claim their religion forbids them to do so.
Yaws is an infectious skin and bone disease caused by bacteria, and if untreated can be fatal.
Nothing can convince members of the First Century Faith Church that the disease can only be cured through medication.
It is their belief that there is no disease that faith cannot cure, and the octogenarian founder of the church, Pastor Kwesi Asiedu, claims he has not received any medication since he opened a branch of the church at Ekoso more than 61 years ago.
The pastor quotes the Bible to support his claim, and no amount of persuasion on the need for the victims to be treated would make him change his mind.
He claims that the about 15 victims are sick either because of witchcraft of their mothers or they might have sinned before God for which they could be healed only through prayers.
The district health management team and the District Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Asante, have failed to convince the pastor to let the afflicted church members to undergo treatment.
