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Fred Agbenyo, a member of the Communication team of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) says funds and sponsorship for the 200 pastors going on the Jerusalem pilgrimage is in the hands of private individuals and not government. Earlier, government had denied reports NDC is planning to sponsor some 200 Pastors affiliated to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel at the cost of $2 million.� A statement signed by coordinator of the Jerusalem pilgrimage, Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah disclosed that the total cost of the sponsorship package for the 200 pilgrims which includes Airfare, hotels and feeding is approximately 600,000 dollars, and not 2million US dollars. Speaking on the issue in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi, Fred Agbenyo refused to mention the names of the �private individuals� sponsoring the 200 pilgrims. He said the only way the list of individuals sponsoring the pilgrimage will come out is when the permission is given: �for now, they will remain anonymous�. �There are several people involved but they want to remain anonymous. When the right time comes, those private individuals will be known. As and when we get the permission to put out their names, we will put it out. There is nothing to be afraid of�� he said. According to Mr. Agbenyo, the only assistance government is giving is the writing of letters to facilitate the process. �The money is not from government but from private groups. Government believes prayer is good and so if it is facilitating the pilgrimage of Christians, there is nothing wrong with that. Government sponsors footballers and so I don�t see why Ghanaians should have a problem with assisting Christians to go on a pilgrimage�� he mentioned.