Controversial ‘counselor’, George Lutterodt has rebuffed the Ghana Psychology Council’s attempt to ‘ban him’ insisting that that the Council does not have the authority to ban him from counseling, ABC News can report.
George Lutterodt argues that he is not a psychologist and not a member of the Council, therefore, it has no mandate to ban him or oversight responsibility of what he does.
The TV and radio personality intimated that as a gazetted man of God, he reserved the right to publicly share his views on any issue, adding that the Council cannot infringe on his right to freedom of speech.
Speaking on Peace FM, George Lutterodt stated that he is a certified “pastoral counselor” and for that matter does not fall under the supervision of the Council.
“I am a pastoral counsellor. I was trained by a school and I have certificates to that effect. I am not in their Council, neither am I a psychologist so they should forget that they cannot ban me in this country till I die.”
“The freedom of speech in this country gives me the right as a gazetted Rev Minster to share my views on any issue. I don’t impose my opinion on anybody,” he said, ABC News can report.
His reaction follows a release issued by the Council, cautioning Mr Lutterodt to desist from parading himself as a Counsellor as the latter had not been licensed to do so.
The Council cited the controversial speaker of being in contravention of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, by calling and holding himself up as a counselor as well as providing counseling service on radio and on television without valid certification.
“The [Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act] stipulates in Section 140 that a person who does not have the requisite qualification and who is not registered with the Council but wilfully and falsely uses any name, title or in addition implying a qualification of practice as a psychologist (or counsellor); and practices or professes to practice psychology of which include counselling or receives payment to provide psychological services commits an offense and is punishable by law,” it said.
The Council also warned all media houses against employing the services of George Lutterodt.
Mr Lutterodt denied a claim by the Council that it issued a similar warning to him in 2016, stressing that all efforts by the Council to “bring me down” will not materialise.
“It’s a lie that they warned me in 2016. I have made it clear to them that I am not a psychologist so they can’t stop me”
“I am saving the lives of people. On radio I don’t speak to everyone. I communicate to those who can relate to the issue being addressed,” he said.
He added that “I am a change agent for the world and starting from Ghana. I will stay focus and will not be distracted.”
Source: ABCNewsGhana.com
