The Methodist Church Ghana has disassociated itself from what it perceives as an impending compromise on homosexuality by the British Methodist Conference in 2020.
According to the Church, the attempt by the British conference to sample votes on homosexuality contradicts the bible.
At a press conference today, the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Boafo of the Methodist Church Ghana emphasised the autonomy of the church.
He said the Ghanaian Methodist Church is not bound by any decision by the British Methodist Conference in 2020.
Methodism has its roots in Anglicanism and its founder was a Church of England minister, John Wesley.
Addressing a press conference, the church’s Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Boafo, said the body is not prepared to compromise on the subject.
“Same sex relationships are neither biblical teachings nor can the bible’s position be revised to support it. The Methodist Church of Ghana rejects any revisionist interpretation of the bible that seeks to make same sex relationships permissible.”
“Historically, there have been no exceptions to this rule in the church and the methodists church Ghana dissociates itself from any decision that contradicts the teaching of the bible on sexuality and marriage.”
Aside from the religious apprehension, homosexuality is still a crime in Ghana.
The anti-gay laws are remnants from British colonial rule and Ghana remains one of 35 Commonwealth countries maintaining laws criminalizing sex between same-sex couples.
In a November 2017 interview with Al Jazeera, President Nana Akufo-Addo said the decriminalization of homosexuality could happen with increased advocacy.
He noted that even Britain had moved beyond the laws criminalising same-sex relations.
But the ambiguity of those comments was met with controversy prompting a more definite response from the President where he said his government had no plans of introducing legislation on same-sex marriage.
“I do not hesitate to state openly that I am a Christian in politics and will continue to be so and a politician who is deeply influenced by Christian values. I know that the church can be very influential in making a dramatic difference in education, health, and sanitation. Let me assure that this government has no plans to change the law on same-sex marriage, we have no authority, and we will not seek any authority to do so, it is well within our reach.”
