An Examination of the Role of Public Theology in the Church’s Efforts Toward National Transformation in Ghana
Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong 
Issue: Vol.9 No.6 June 2023 Issue Article 4 pp. 238-252
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2023964 | Published online 21st June 2023.
© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The central argument of this article is that Christianity which is relevant to Ghanaians must be responsive to the realities of the people and committed to promoting social justice and national transformation. Contemporary socio-economic challenges demand the constant participation of the church in the process of social change. The church’s participation in the transformation process however must be guided by its Christian beliefs and values. Public Theology that is concerned with how Christian beliefs and values intersect with issues of public life and social transformation must therefore be the catalyst for the church’s public witness toward national transformation. The study conducted interviews with significant academics and practitioners in its effort to appreciate the place of the church in the contemporary socio-economic challenges facing the nation as well as reviewing available relevant library materials. It concluded with the identification and recommendation of the church’s prospects and capacity for national transformation in challenges like ethnocentrism, religious conflicts, moral decadence and political instability through the church’s moral authority, structures for mobilization, legacy and ecumenical relationships.
Keywords: Public Theology, African Christianity, National Transformation, Ghana
August, Karel Thomas. The Quest for Being Public Church: The South African Challenge to the Moravian Church in Context (1737-2004). Moravian Printing Works, 2005.
Debrunner, Hans Werner. A History of Christianity in Ghana. Accra: Waterville Publishing House, 1967.
Kim, Sebastian. Theology in the Public Sphere: Public Theology as a Catalyst for Open Debate. London: SCM Press Ltd, 2013.
Opuni-Frimpong, Kwabena. “Christian Advocacy Ministry in African Christianity: The Nature, Prospects and Challenges in Ghana.” Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology 3, no. 4 (November 5, 2021): 57–67. https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2021351.
———. “Doing Public Theology in African Christianity: A Reflection on Communiques by Churches in Ghana.” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies 7, no. 11 (November 15, 2021): 190–200. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20217111.
———. Indigenous Knowledge and Christian Missions:(Perspectives of Akan Leadership Formation on Christian Leadership Development). SonLife Press, 2012.
Schweizer, Peter A. Survivors on the Gold Coast: The Basel Missionaries in Colonial Ghana. Smartline Pub., 2000.
Smith, Noel. The Presbytery Church of Ghana 1835-1960. Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 1966.
INTERVIEWS
Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Setting National Priorities September 17, 2020.
Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, Religion, Peace and Security in Ghana October 21, 2019.
Lawyer Sam Okudzeto, National Interest February 13 &20, 2020.
Prof Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Strategic Planning and National Development March 5& 9, 2020.
Most Rev Dr. Kwasi Aboagye Mensah on New Year, New Opportunities, Fresh Challenges January 1, 2020.
Lady Queene Asiedu-Akrofi, Moral Formation of Young People in Schools December 5, 2019.
Justice Emile Short, Transparency and Public Accountability November 7, 2019.
Most Rev Charles G. Palmer-Buckle, Re-Building Post Social Distancing Societies Part I April 4, & May 15, 2020.
Dr. Tony Oteng Gyasi, Young People, Unemployment and Entrepreneurship January 9, 2020
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, Islam and Love for Country March 26, 2020.
Rev Prof Charles Ansah, Abuse and Misuse of Medication April 29, 2021.
Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong (PhD) is Senior Lecturer in African Christianity at the Department of Religious Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi – Ghana.
Opuni-Frimpong, Kwabena. “An Examination of the Role of Public Theology in the Church’s Efforts Toward National Transformation in Ghana,” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 9 no.6 (2023): 238-252. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2023964
© 2023 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
