Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase in the Ashanti Region, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has welcomed government's decision to support Ghanaians who wish to embark on Christian pilgrimages outside the country but warned against needless equalisation.
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs disclosed, last week, plans to institute a Christian pilgrimage sponsored by government, to countries such as Israel and the Vatican City.
Kofi Dzamesi believes government's support will avail to many Christians the opportunity to visit places of importance to their religion.Â
The Minority Chief Whip who agrees with the Mr Dzamesi's position said on an interview with CitiFm that it is "laudable" that "government plans to facilitate Christian pilgrimages" and must be commended.
"It's a welcoming thing for government to support Christian pilgrimages", he stated in an interview on Citi FM's Eyewitness on Monday.
Government has been sponsoring muslims to embark on Hajj pilgrimge over the years and there had been calls for it to either stop or do same for Christians. Considering that over two-thirds of Ghana's population say they are christians, there had been arguments as to why the larger population was not benefitting from such government sponsorships.
Many have therefore deemed the announcement from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs as a tailored response.
But for Mr Muntaka, a muslim himself, though government's plan in the right direction, it must not be the basis to needlessly pitch muslims against christians.
"Let's not create some sort of equalisation, it's not us vs them. Christians and muslims need space to worship", he stressed.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah seem unethused by government’s decision.
READ ALSO:Â Its unnecessary for gov't to bear the cost of Christian Pilgrimage- Apostle Onyinah
According to him, "if someone wants to travel for religious purpose the person should be asked to pay his/her own expenses,â€