The Northern Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana on Wednesday inaugurated an Asso­ciation of Methodist Traditional Rulers with a six-member interim executives in Accra.

The executive members are Nii Kojo Nseni Mankata IV, (Ga State Asa­foatse) as the Chairman; Nana Addo Kuma I, (Ankobeahene of Akuapim Ahwerease)- Secretary; Naa Okailey Ajorbo I, (Taifa Manye)-Treasurer; Nana Abena Nyantekyiwa I ( Nko­suohema of Ejisu Onwe)- Organiser; Naakye Dede Amoakwa I (Ankobeahe­ma of Awutu Mankessim) -Ex-officio and Very Rev Isaac Kwam Enninful -Gbawe Chaplain.

At a colourful inaugural ceremo­ny, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Reverend Professor Joseph M.Y. Edusa-Eyison, who led them to swear the Oath of Secrecy said the inauguration of the association was to bridge the gap between traditional leaders and the church.

He said it also formed part of the church’s vision to provide chaplaincy services to chiefs, queens and roy­als in the country to draw souls for Christ.

Rev Edusa-Eyison emphasised that the Methodist Church, Ghana rec­ognised the contributions of Christian traditional rulers and authorities to the church’s evangelistic enterprise and desired as a Church to leverage that for growth.

“Your invaluable contribution as a significant agency of development, providing the church with land, spac­es for its business and an enabling environment for the church to serve the creator in peace is highly com­mendable,” he added.

Rev Edusa-Eyison said unlike the perception of others that tradition was fetish, the church believed that tradition and Christianity must coexist for healthy exchange of life.

He commended the executive members for accepting the responsi­bility to champion the course of the gospel in addition to their traditional duties, and expressed optimism that their work would help grow the Meth­odist Church.

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, commended the Methodist Church, Ghana for the initiative and urged other churches to take a cue from it to enhance the development of the nation.

He said the ministry was mandat­ed under the chieftaincy Act 2008 Act 759, to develop effective inter­face between Government, religious bodies and civil society on matters relating to Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for the promotion of peace and good governance.

He said as part of the mandate, the ministry had drafted a proposed National Policy on Religion to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals regardless of their beliefs or non-be­liefs.

The policy, he said was under con­sultation by stakeholders in the var­ious 16 regions and urged the church to get involved in the discussion for economic development.

The Ga Mantse and President of Ga Traditional Council, Boni King Tarkie Teiko Tsuru II who was the Special Guest of Honour said “righteousness exalt a nation and nation cannot be blessed if the king does not see God as supreme, adding that “any lead­ership that does not recognise God in the scheme of things absolutely is flawed and had a defeatist idea.

The chairman of the executive members, Nii Mankata IV on behalf of the members thanked the church for recognising traditional leaders and their roles in the development of the church and the country at large.

 By Vivian Arthur