The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council has called for churches to be considered for the Covid-19 stimulus package.

Reverend Emmanuel T. Barigah says like other enterprises which have taken a hit from the effects of the pandemic, churches have been affected as well due the prolonged period of closure.

“Some of these small congregations who have not met for a long time will also need some kind of stimulus to be able to pay some pastors and workers,” Rev. Barigah told Accra-based Starr FM.

He said some of the charismatic churches “have pastors who are solely dependent upon the ministry for their livelihood.”

Rev. Barigah added that “if small businesses…have pleaded to be given stimulus package in order to get back on their feet,” then the churches can be considered too.

The stimulus package was instituted by President Akufo-Addo to alleviate the plight of businesses negatively impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Small business can apply for loans under the scheme to help them deal with the financial disruptions caused by the coronavirus restrictions.

Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industry, Kosi Yankey-Ayeh told JoyNews on Thursday, June 4, that the disbursement of the fund will start in the second week of June.

More than 100,000 applications were tendered by business owners and entrepreneurs, following the launch of programme, she disclosed.