The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong -Manso, has underlined the need for closer look at the significance of traditional institutions and practices to determine the extent to which Christians could participate in some of these without offending their Christian values.
He said there should be research into the Ghanaian culture to better understand the chieftaincy institution and practices for purposes of reform to bridge the gap between traditional rulers and the church.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso said they need to step up dialogue that would engender cultural reforms, acceptable to both the church and chiefs.
He said if key leaders in society like chiefs are in the church and yet treated as aliens in the "house of the Lord" and not helped to become faithful Christians then the church is failing in its duty of reaching all for Christ.
He was speaking at the first thanksgiving service held for chiefs and queens in the Asante Presbytery.
"The contribution of the chieftaincy institution towards church growth in Ghana", was the theme.
A cross section of chiefs and queens gathered at the Peyer Memorial Church at Bantama to give thanks to God for his abundance blessings and guidance in the discharge of their duties.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, was represented by Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia V, Bantamahene.
It was all joy as some of them, joined by some church leaders, took to the floor and danced to nice "kete" drumming, amidst wild applause from the large congregation.
Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso called on all to work
together to remove all that "divides and destroys us a people, if we want to lay a deserved claim to peace that Christ offers."
He said where "there is division, we need to work for reconciliation, where there is hatred, let us show love", he added.