The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has issued a public disclaimer warning the clergy, religious and the general public to be on high alert over a fraudster impersonating a senior official of the National Catholic Secretariat.
According to a statement issued by the National Catholic Secretariat and signed by the Secretary General of the GCBC, Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei, the unidentified individual is allegedly using the photograph of Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, while falsely claiming to be the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The Conference stressed that the individual is not an employee of the National Catholic Secretariat and has no affiliation whatsoever with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The statement further disclosed that the suspect has been contacting unsuspecting members of the public using a Ghanaian telephone number as well as other foreign numbers for fraudulent activities.
The Secretariat cautioned that it does not solicit money, airtime, gifts or personal information through WhatsApp messages, phone calls or emails. It noted that all official communications from the Secretariat are conducted only through verified GCBC channels and official letterheads.
The Conference therefore urged anyone contacted by the impersonator not to respond to any requests or send money under any circumstances.
Victims or persons who encounter the suspect have been advised to report the matter immediately to the National Catholic Secretariat and also notify the Police through emergency numbers 18555 or 191.
Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei called on the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to originate from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference before taking any action.
