Kumasi: The leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) have been urged to consider establishing a fund to support research into the country's cultural norms to touch base firmly with the people. The Reverend Dr Ernestina Afriyie, a Senior Lecturer at the Trinity Theological Seminary, who made the call, explained that it was important for the church to have a detailed research data on the country's culture.
According to Ghana News Agency, it was necessary for the PCG to prioritize and form stronger collaborations with higher learning institutions such as the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, a research university promoting African innovation and excellence and dedicated to the study of Christian history, to champion this course. Reverend Dr Afriyie, speaking at the PCG's Bicentennial third Public Lecture in Kumasi, noted that there were many aspects of the Ghanaian culture that Christians were not aware of or understood.
It was, therefore, important for the church to delve into those areas to respond appropriately to such cultures, how to maintain and make them consistent to the Christian faith and the beliefs of the church. The lecture was titled 'PCG's Efforts at Engaging Ghanaian Culture With the Christian Gospel: Successes, Shortfalls and the Way Forward'.
Reverend Dr Afriyie argued that building relationships of trust with those in charge of culture, especially those who performed the rituals that go with the rights was the surest way to make Christian gospel relevant to the communities. The lecture also delved into the lives of the early Basel Missionaries in Ghana, their struggles and association with citizenry as well as the growth of the PCG in modern day Ghana.
The lecture hosted by the Right Rev Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, formed part of activities to usher the Church into its 200th anniversary celebration in 2028. It will also bolster the Church's 'Agenda 2 Million', an initiative to grow the membership by two million by the year 2028.
Rev Dr Afriyie paid a glowing tribute to traditional leaders who had performed their duties of serving the people and also attending churches as royals, and said that their lives were exemplary, which should be emulated by generations. Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, the Asafohene, who was a guest speaker for the function, observed that the Church's task was to move 'from a faith that is a cultural identity to a faith that is a transformative power'.
He said a faith that was truly Christian must showcase integrity, compassion for the poor, just for the defenseless as well as faith that continued to navigate wisdom and grace. The Chief indicated that the complex task of speaking Christian doctrine and the sacred duties of traditional leaders fostering the sensitivity, dialogue and mutual respect needed to ensure that chiefs who were Christians could serve both God and their people.
