The Paramount Chief of the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council, Obrempong Dr. Wetse Kojo II, delivered a stirring message on Easter Sunday that called for greater understanding and respect between Christianity and traditional spiritual practices.
Speaking at the Church of Pentecost, Dansoman Area–Mamprobi District, Bethel Assembly-Sempe, where he was invited to address the congregation during their Easter Convention, the chief offered a deep reflection on the theme “The Savior Perfected through Pain Jesus, Our Guide to Eternal Life” (Hebrews 2:10). His words captivated the congregation and sparked a broader conversation about how different spiritual expressions can co-exist.
Obrempong Dr. Wetse Kojo II urged Christians to approach their faith with strength, clarity, and humility, warning against the dangers of ignorance and spiritual pretentiousness. He stressed that many people reject what they do not understand, particularly when it comes to traditional beliefs, which often share striking similarities with Christian spiritual experiences.
“Ignorance is making us pretentious in every step we take as Christians. We need to learn,” he told the attentive crowd.
He highlighted how both traditional and Christian worship experiences can result in powerful manifestations of spiritual ecstasy, such as prophesying, shaking, or speaking in tongues phenomena that transcend human control and understanding.
“When the spirit does on one of you here, and for that matter, the person is to prophesy or shake, demonstrating the presence of the Spirit of God that person is not doing it voluntarily,” the chief explained. “Would you blame the fetish priest approaching you in that manner and say she is evil? Would you blame the prophet or whoever has been adorned with the spirit approaching you and say she is evil? Both may be coming with some manner of blessings.”
His message was not merely a call for tolerance but a plea for critical self-examination among believers. By drawing direct comparisons between the workings of the Holy Spirit in Christian worship and the manifestations observed in traditional African spirituality, the chief aimed to dismantle the prejudices that often divide communities of faith.
Obrempong Dr. Wetse Kojo II’s sermon encouraged the audience to reflect on the roots of their beliefs and to acknowledge the divine power that can manifest in various cultural contexts. He emphasized that the spiritual realm is far broader than most people realize and that embracing this truth could lead to a more genuine and inclusive faith experience.
“Let us not be quick to judge what we do not understand,” he urged. “The power of God is not limited to one form or tradition. It moves through people in ways that can seem strange, but that strangeness doesn’t make it ungodly.”
He dismantled the artificial barriers often erected between Christianity and African traditional religions calling for unity through understanding, pushing Christians to embrace knowledge, reject prejudice, and appreciate the rich tapestry of spiritual expression across cultures.
