Christians Advised Not To Shun Traditional Practices

The Reverend Ransford Kwabena Awuku-Gyampoh, Minister in Charge of the Trinity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Adweso, Koforidua, has advised Christians to revise the negative notions attached to traditional practices. He said traditional rulers, who were at the helm of traditional practices, served as agents of change and progress while inspiring and providing lots of amenities for their communities and to the churches they belonged. "They also undertake other humanitarian ventures to give comfort to the poor, orphans, widows and the vulnerable generally. We commend them highly for these and wish to encourage such positive activities knowing well that they are doing the service of the one who placed them in those positions of authority." Rev. Awuku-Gyampoh was speaking at a ceremony dubbed; "Africana" a programme instituted by the church to recognise the contribution of traditional rulers to society. Africana Week celebration, started last year, has the theme: �Systemic Change: A Tool for 21st Century Church�. Rev. Awuku-Gyampoh said the celebration of Africana was instituted with the aim of reviving the souls of men by resuscitating the dying cultural values which formed the pillars of society. He said God Himself created and recognised the institution of chieftaincy when he agreed to the request of the Israelites through Prophet Samuel to appoint a king for them. The continuous existence of our traditional system, therefore, has the blessings of the Almighty. The celebration was climaxed on Sunday and witnessed by many traditional rulers within and outside Koforidua. Rev. Awuku- Gyampoh said chiefs, therefore, exercised authority on behalf of God and stressed the need for Christians to appreciate traditional practices. Making some recommendations, Rev. Awuku-Gyampoh said Ghanaian Languages must be used as instructional language in schools. He also urged the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to place "Africana Week Celebrations" as a main activity on the church�s Almanac to serve as a motivating factor for other congregations for the sake of ecumenism and evangelism.