Methodist Church elects new Presiding Bishop

The former Principal of the Trinity College and immediate past head of the Religious Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, has been elected the new Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana.

Rev. Professor Asante replaces Bishop Aboagye Mensah whose tenure of office would end in September next year.

The election took place at the 43rd Conference and fifth Biennial Bishop Conference of the Methodist Church at Winneba.

He polled 173 to best Right Rev. Ekow Egyeri, the Administrative Bishop, who had 122 in a run-off. During the first round, none of the contestants obtained the 50 plus one votes.

Bishop Asante commended the bishops and also thanked God for the peaceful manner the election was conducted.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Bishop-elect of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, has called for transparency, probity and accountability in the administration of all sectors of the Church. 

He said all members in positions of trust must also endeavour to give transparent and dedicated services to avoid mistrust. 

Rt. Rev. Prof. Asante made the call at the Prince of Peace Society of the Methodist Church at Nsima in Kumasi.  The service was to dedicate a house for the Minister in-charge. 

The Presiding Bishop-elect of the Methodist Church reminded the congregation that the Methodist Church maintains its belief in the teaching of John Wesley that sees the Ministry as belonging to both the Clergy and the Laity. 

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Kofi Opoku Manu, urged Ministers of the gospel, traditional rulers and teachers to join in the fight against the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.  He said the region has not recorded any significant reduction in the prevalence rate over the past few years. 

He regretted that the most infected are those between 25 and 35 years, adding that the situation can have far reaching consequences for the nation.