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The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Rev Prof Paul Frimpong-Manso has expressed concern about how the media was contributing to tarnishing the reputation of the killed head pastor of the Assemblies of God Church at Tema Community four.

At a meeting with church leaders and the family of the deceased on Monday, Rev Prof Frimpong-Manso said the publication of the "unverified" statements and wild allegations by the suspect, who has not been subjected to a psychiatric review to see if he was of sound mind was a problem.

Rev Dr David Nabegmado, who was the head pastor of the Central Assemblies of God Church at Tema Community Four, was on Sunday stabbed to death at the church premises where he was preparing to deliver a sermon.

He was accosted by the assailant, Francis Nabegmado said to be his nephew while moving from the church office into the main auditorium for the day's service at about 9am.

Francis Nabegmado has been arrested and currently in police custody.

Francis was reportedly living with the late pastor until recently when he had to move out over a misunderstanding between them.

Francis in his confession statement to the police, which is on circulation on social media and has been published by some media houses alleged that the misunderstanding between him and the late pastor was in relation to the worship of deities.

Graphic Online's Della Russel Ocloo reports that while meeting with church leaders and the family in Tema on Monday, Rev Prof Paul Frimpong-Manso expressed disappointment at publications that the slain Pastor, Rev Dr David Mankrom Nabegmado was an idol worshipper.

He questioned why some media houses published the unverified confession statement by the suspect saying the move was an attempt to malign the deceased.

In an emotional address to church leaders and the family of the deceased at the church premises at Tema on Monday, Rev Prof Frimpong-Manso said the frivolous claims by the suspect aimed at tarnishing the image of the slain pastor should not have been broadcasted by the media.

"A suspect made wild allegations which have not been verified while his state of mind has also not been checked yet, the media put out the claims as though they were facts", Prof Frimpong-Manso said.

He wondered how the slain Pastor who joined the church at age 14, went through teachings and subsequently joining the ministry to become a pastor could be an idol worshipper.

"Not only do these reports go to tarnish the image of the slain pastor who was a peace-loving and kind person but also goes to dent the image of the church as a whole", Rev Frimpong-Manso stated.

Recounting how he heard the news, the General Superintendent stated that he heard of the news while on an evangelism mission in Kumasi and that the church was in a state of shock.

Media must grow

He expressed regret that while the church and family were in pain and mourning their departed, the media was inflaming and capitalising on the "unverified" claims by the suspect, Francis Nabegmado who is presently in police custody.

"I can vouch that the late Rev David was never an idol worshipper but a true man of God as such, claims in the recordings making round ought to be disregarded", Prof Frimpong-Manso stated.