Christians, traditional rulers must live in peace - Ni Mohenu

Christians, traditional rulers must live in peace – Ni Mohenu

An appeal has been made to Christians and traditional rulers to live in peace and harmony.

Nii Samuel Adjetey Mohenu, Chief of Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region said this at a forum organised by the Presbyterian Church o Ghana, Department of Ecumenical and Social Relations (ESR) of the Faith Congregation, Madina Estate.

The topic was “chieftaincy and Christianity in perspective”

Nii Mohenu stated that chieftaincy was a system of governance established by God to ensure peace, order and development. He averred that the role of Christianity could therefore be seen to be essential and must be given the necessary support and respect. He urged those who think that the Chieftaincy institution is ungodly to discard that misconception.

Nii Mohenu said the Chieftaincy had been in existence since time immemorial and quoted 1 Samuel 8:1-5 to support his case.

The Abokobi Mantse stated that though our elders had their traditional set up before Christianity was first introduced to then Gold Coast, they faced a lot of challenges including differentiating spiritually which dealt with our belief system in life and culture within a particular community. According to Nii Mohenu, the situation had varying opinions and views on the subject of Christians participating in Chieftaincy affairs.

He explained that chiefs of Abokobi are installed in the Presbyterian Church on an appointed Sunday at a Church Service led by the Moderator of the General Assembly or the Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. He said the installation of the chief was done with the Holy Bible. “The chief has no stool apart from the Bible and does not pour libation. Since God is the creator of the universe and mankind, we owe allegiance to Him and His only begotten son Jesus Christ”.

The chairman for the forum, Mr. G.B.K. Owusu, former editor of the Christian Messenger and the Presbyterian, and immediate past Public Relations Officer of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, appealed to the General Assembly to establish a research and museum centre to showcase books, pictures and vital things left by the Basel missionaries and other Ghanaian missionaries who died in the harness. He said pictures of Rev. Zimmerman who translated the Bible into Ga, Christellar who also translated the Bible into Twi and Samuel Otu, the first martyr of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana would be of great service to Christians.

Mr. Owusu advised chiefs to emulate the people of Abokobi by registering their lands to avoid multiple sales to buyers. On illegal mining (galamsy), causing havoc to lands and water bodies, Mr. Owusu urged traditional rulers not to be attracted by the financial gains they would receive but consider the hardship the people would face in respect of the pollution of the rivers. He further appealed to traditional rulers to team up with the government to develop their areas and strive to abolish customs and cultures that hinder progress.

In a testimony, the Chief of Danfa, Nii Afutu Bempong III, revealed that had it not been the Almighty God some people would have murdered him. “As a chief, I will never forget and praise my Maker for what He has done and continue to do for me”. Nii Bempong asked all traditional rulers to rely on God adding “without the Almighty God you cannot succeed.”

The Rev. Minister-in-charge of the Faith Congregation, Rev. Mark Mensah Boye advised chiefs to rule according to the teachings of the Bible so that the Lord would be their fortress.

Present was Anum Momle II, Sesemi Mantse.