The Reverend Dr Paul K. Boafo, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, has urged Christian leaders to reject denominational competition and fragmentation, warning that such divisions undermine the ecumenical body of Christ.
Speaking at the Awards and Thanksgiving Service on the final day of the Christian Council of Ghana’s (CCG) first Ecumenical Convention at the University of Ghana, Legon, he challenged attitudes of exclusivity among church members who claim, “I don’t belong to that Christian group.”
Rev. Dr Boafo said Christian unity was a divine fact, not a human project, and cautioned that the proliferation of divisions in Ghana’s church landscape costs the faith community time, resources and credibility.
Denominational rivalry, he said, fosters a spirit of competition that contradicted the Gospel.
While acknowledging that denominational diversity reflected the varied gifts of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Dr Boafo insisted that that diversity must ultimately advance national Christian unity.
“Your allegiance is not to your denomination; it is to the Body of Christ. That is ecumenism,” he declared.
Rev. Dr Boafo added that Ghana needed a credible, united prophetic voice capable of speaking truth to power and promoting institutional and governance reforms.
He urged church leaders to serve as the conscience of their communities by addressing social ills.
Ghana, with a population of 34 million, is about 70 per cent Christian.
The Ghana Statistical Service says Pentecostal and Charismatic churches form the largest bloc at 31.6 per cent, followed by Protestant denominations at 17.4 per cent.
Catholics make up 10 per cent, with other Christian groups accounting for 12 per cent.
Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, said the Ecumenical Convention marked a major step toward bridging denominational gaps and strengthening unified Christian witness.
He said the Council would advance initiatives to deepen institutional collaboration among churches at both national and local levels.