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The Head Pastor of Patasi-Atimatim Calvary Methodist Church of Ghana, Rev. D. Y. Adjei Fordjour has advised Christians not to misconstrue and also shun the perception that traditional and cultural practices mean worshipping of idols. He said that wearing of beads, smocks among other African clothes do not correspond to the act of worshipping idols or someone to be evil but it reflects how dignity one culture and the glory of God is.
According to the Man of God, Culture was the lifeblood of a vibrant society, expressed in the many ways they told their stories, celebrated, remembered the past, entertained themselves, and imagined the future. “Our creative expression helps define who we are, and helps us see the world through the eyes of others” He added.
Rev. Adjei Fordjour observed that, there would not be any meaningful development, if tradition and culture are relegated to the background because every community was built upon strong traditions, with values that made it appreciable levels and possible for members of the various communities to live in peace with one another.
The Reverend Minister said this when the congregation organised its second edition of cultural and traditional sunday service to portray their customs and traditions in the church auditorium at Atimatim in the Afigya Kwabre south district of the Ashanti region on Sunday July 14, 2024.
The colorful event saw varieties of Ghanaian atire and ancient (local) foods like Fufuo, abeteɛ, Ɛtɔ, Aprɛprɛnsa, Nuhuu, Akpɛlɛ, Diehuo, Dɔkono and many others, wore and prepared respectively by the church members demonstrating their rich and unique tribal and ethnic cultures.
Speaking at the joint service, Rev. Adjei Fordjour said that it had become a major problem in recent times in Ghana, that many of the youth do not see the need to learn and understand the importance of traditional practices in their areas, and regard them as evil, which, the Pastor advised that Christian should not only trace their root, find their tradition and practice it but they should also involved themselves in traditional and cultural programs to bring others closer to God.
The Renowned Minister noted that, the situation where people looked down traditions must be of much concern to all well meaning Ghanaians, most especially, as Christians and for that matter the youth who have adopted alien cultures.
He lamented over how Ghanaians still hold high esteem to foreign names, clothes, food, languages, musics and many others over their own. He explained that every Ghanaian parent is seen giving foreign (English) name to their children instead of their native names, which according to him gradually losing their origin.
Meanwhile, some of the church members expressed happiness for portraying their culture and urged all churches to emulate.
According to them, the event was not only historic but it taught the youth and young generation to learn, practice and understand that they possess a unique culture and tradition.
Study of world Christianity begins with the basic premise that Christianity is, and from its very inception has been, a cross cultural and diverse religion with no single dominant expression. Throughout history, all Christians have lived in specific cultural contexts, Regardless of a positive or negative attitude toward their surrounding culture, all Christians must respond to their surrounding context.
Those Christians who embrace surrounding cultures use indigenous language, music, art forms, and rituals as potent resources for their own ends.
For heroesnews, Rexkin Ohene Boateng, Hello fm Kumasi.
