Conflicts Between Akan Traditional Bereavement Practices and Church Practices: A Case Study Of Ebenezer Congregation, Old Tafo Presbyterian Church, Kumasi

Abstract

Christianity does not erase an individual's cultural identity. However, it does call for discernment—affirming what aligns with the gospel and rejecting what contradicts biblical truth. The paper addressed the conflict between Akan traditional practices regarding bereavement and those of the church. This paper focused on the theological frameworks the church can employ to address conflicts between Akan traditions and Christian doctrines on bereavement. The paper employs an empirical approach, utilising qualitative research methods, specifically through interviews. The findings of this paper are that there is a need for liturgical reinterpretation of ancestor worship and the need for doctrinal guidelines for traditional rituals. Moreover, certain Akan traditional bereavement practices must be allowed in Church settings. The authors recommend that the church harmonise and separate some traditional beliefs from Christian teachings, and that it also promotes education and respect for both traditional and church practices regarding bereavement. The findings of this paper contribute to Christian ethics by resolving the conflict between Akan traditional bereavement practices and Church practices within Akan Christianity.