Former Methodist Presiding Bishop, Rev Dr Asante-Antwi passes on

Former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev Dr Samuel Asante-Antwi has passed away.

Rev Dr Asante-Antwi, who was also the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, is said to have died Sunday morning at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

A statement signed by the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Paul Opoku-Mensah said: “With profound sadness and a heavy heart, the Secretariat of the National Cathedral of Ghana announces the passing of Most Rev Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Project. He died early this morning, Sunday, September 13, 2020, at the Korle Bu teaching hospital in Accra.” 

“Most Rev Dr Asante Antwi’s commitment to the National Cathedral Project was passionate, inspiring and totalizing! He deeply understood its importance for Ghana,” the statement added.

Rev Dr Asante-Antwi was inducted into office as the ninth President of the Conference of the Methodist Church of Ghana on August 26,1997.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, said Rev Dr Asante-Antwi contributed monumentally to building the Church, as a Leader and even when superannuated.

He said Rev Dr Asante-Antwi led the Church to adopting the system of “Biblical Pattern of Episcopacy” 20 years ago and led the implementation of policies that strengthened the leadership of the Church and its relationship with the laity. 

Most Rev Boafo said it was during the leadership of Rev Dr Asante-Antwi, that the Church built the “Methodist University College” in Ghana.

He also advocated the establishment of the Church in the diaspora, Europe and North America and ensured that they all had Mission Diocese, with confirmed Ministers to lead and serve the Church.

The First Presiding Bishop, who superannuated 13 years ago from active service, played a pivotal role in offering the Church ideas and guidance to lead to the progress of the Church.

Most Rev. Boafo said: “We have lost one of our strong leaders and fathers, who was a big pillar and a big support to the Church. Even when he retired, he was still supporting the leadership of the church with ideas and advice.”

Rev Asante-Antwi was also a founding member of the New Patriotic Party and a former Council of State member under President J.A. Kufuor's era.

Rev. Asante-Antwi died at age 83, leaving behind a wife, Mrs Comfort Asante-Antwi and children.