Kumasi North Diocese records strong growth as Methodist Bishop raises alarm over galamsey crisis

The Kumasi North Diocese of The Methodist Church Ghana has concluded its 2026 Synod at Bethel Chapel, Kwadaso, with a strong warning over Ghana’s worsening environmental crisis and renewed calls for moral discipline and spiritual commitment.

The Bishop of the Kumasi North Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Sampson Obeng Adjei, delivered the address under the theme “Walking in the Word: Equipped for Every Good Work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17), blending theological reflection with sharp commentary on national issues while outlining the Diocese’s performance over the past year.

The Synod brought together Bishops, clergy, traditional authorities, lay leaders, and invited guests to review the Church’s activities, assess progress, and set direction for the year ahead.

The Bishop stressed the authority of Scripture, noting that the Bible remains the foundation for doctrine, moral conduct, and Christian living. He emphasized that walking in the Word requires obedience that is reflected in daily life and service.

On evangelism, the Diocese recorded the establishment of six new societies and nearly 2,000 souls won within the year. Outreach programmes in communities including Bantama, Bohyen, and Abuakwa, alongside the All Saints Gathering which attracted over 10,000 worshippers, were highlighted as key achievements.

Infrastructure development also featured prominently, with several chapels roofed, new lands acquired for expansion, and long-standing land disputes resolved to support stability and growth within the Diocese.

Youth and children’s ministry programmes received full funding during the year, with leadership training, mentorship initiatives, and youth-focused events implemented. Plans were also outlined to expand empowerment programmes into ICT, agriculture, business, and media.

In the health sector, more than 1,000 people benefited from free hernia surgeries conducted at Methodist health facilities in Aburaso and Apagya as part of the Diocese’s social outreach initiatives.

The Diocese also reported improved academic performance in its schools, with Pokukrom Methodist Junior High School standing out for strong BECE results. However, attention was drawn to underperforming schools, with calls for urgent measures to improve standards across the board.

GH¢90,000 was invested in multimedia equipment to strengthen communication and enhance the Diocese’s media and digital outreach capacity.

Overall membership within the Diocese has risen to over 58,000, with increases in circuits and societies recorded over the year.

Turning to national concerns, the Bishop described illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, as a serious moral and environmental crisis, warning that continued destruction of water bodies and forests threatens the country’s future. He called for urgent collective action to address the situation.

He also touched on ongoing public debates on moral legislation, stressing the need for consistency and integrity in addressing national values and ethical concerns.

The Synod concluded with a renewed focus on evangelism, discipleship, and institutional strengthening as the Diocese outlined its strategic priorities for the coming year.