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The Methodist Church of Ghana lost its first Presiding Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante-Antwi, on Sunday, September 13, 2020, due to a brief illness at Korle Bu University Hospital.
The Presiding Bishop of the Ghana Methodist Church The Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo, who confirmed his death in an interview with the Ghanaian news agency, said the Rev Asante-Antwi contributed monumentally to building the Church, as a leader and even when he was retired.
He led the Church to adopt the ‘Episcopate Biblical Pattern’ system 20 years ago and led the implementation of policies that strengthened the Church’s leadership and its relationship with the laity, said the Presiding Bishop.
The episcopate is a system of government in which a church is governed or led by bishops, and the introduction of the system allowed the Church to ditch some nomenclature like President and President to adopt titles like ‘Bishop’, which was more biblical.
Most of Reverend Boafo said that it was during Reverend Asante-Antwi’s leadership that the Church built the Methodist University College in Ghana.
He also advocated for the establishment of the Church in the diaspora, Europe and North America and ensured that everyone had a Missionary Diocese, with ministers confirmed to lead and serve the Church.
The first presiding bishop, who retired from active service 13 years ago, played a critical role in providing the Church with ideas and guidance to advance the Church.
The Most Reverend Boafo said: “We have lost one of our strong leaders and parents, who was a great pillar and a great support for the Church.
Even when he retired, he continued to support the church leadership with ideas and advice.
Rev. Asante-Antwi died at the age of 83, leaving behind a wife, Mrs. Comfort Asante-Antwi and children.
