No ‘You May Kiss the Bride’: Apostolic Church-Ghana bans wedding ritual
The Apostolic Church-Ghana has announced a significant change to its marriage rites, banning the practice of kissing the bride during wedding ceremonies, in a move it says is aimed at preserving cultural and spiritual values.
The decision was approved by the Church’s Council of Apostles and Prophets and subsequently adopted by delegates at its 6th General Council Meeting held at the TAC Conference Centre in Fafraha, Accra.
Explaining the rationale behind the directive, the President of the Church, Apostle Samuel Kwadwo Ami-Narh, said the move was intended to address what he described as growing excesses in modern wedding practices, some of which the Church considers inconsistent with its beliefs.
According to an official statement, “The Council of Apostles and Prophets has decided to expunge the ‘you may kiss the bride’ aspect from our wedding ceremonies owing to its inappropriateness within our cultural setting.” The statement added that although the practice may be acceptable in some Western contexts, it does not align with the values upheld by the Church.
The Council also issued a caution against pre-wedding photoshoots it described as inappropriate, urging couples to avoid what it termed “awkward and immoral” displays often circulated on social media.
Apostle Ami-Narh stressed that marriage should be treated with dignity and reverence, noting that Christian values must be upheld even before couples approach the altar. He said the directive was part of broader efforts to ensure that the sanctity of marriage is not compromised by external influences.
The announcement was met with strong approval from delegates at the conference, who responded with applause and expressed support for the move, particularly in light of what they see as increasing social media-driven trends among young people.
In a related development, the General Council also elected three new members to the Church’s Executive in accordance with its revised 2025 Constitution. Apostle Samuel Obeng Manteaw was re-elected to serve another four-year term, while Pastor Enock Atutornu and Pastor Dr Abraham Narh were elected to replace outgoing members.
The eleven-member Executive, as provided for under the Constitution, includes key leadership figures such as the President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Missions Directors, alongside elected Apostles and Senior Ministers.
The Church commended the peaceful conduct of the elections and expressed appreciation to outgoing executives for their service, while congratulating the newly elected leaders on their appointment.
