Church must embrace positive aspects of traditional beliefs

Kumasi, April 21, GNA - The Reverend (Dr) Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has called on Christians to embrace the positive aspects of the country's traditional beliefs, norms and values. He said it was wrong for anybody to condemn entirely 93our own indigenous cultural practices some of which are very educative and spiritually significant."

He noted for example that, traditional stools, apart from the spiritual significance in the preservation of history, also served as symbols of dignity, pride and unity for the people. Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong was speaking at a day's seminar, organized by the Presbytery for traditional rulers in the church, to sensitize them on the role they could play to advance Presbyterianism. "The significance of Stools in our culture", was the theme for the seminar, held under the auspices of the Mission.

He said the Presbytery has directed its congregations to accord traditional rulers, worshipping with them, every needed respect, to foster stronger relationship between the church and the chieftaincy institution.

The Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong reminded them that chiefs had for long, been indispensable in the affairs of the church, citing their giving out of vast lands for church buildings, schools and hospitals, among others.

He said they should not be denied communion or any symbolic Christian practices and norms that would help to deepen their faith in God.

Again, they should be allocated special seats during church services. Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong singled out for praise, the Manhyia Palace, for its support for the Church.

Nana Amponsah Biraso, Queen of the Domeabra Traditional Area, encouraged her colleague chiefs to be regular at church services to deepen their faith.