The Apostolic Church-Ghana (TAC-GH) has banned the practice of kissing the bride before the altar during marriage ceremonies, marking a significant shift in how the denomination conducts wedding services.
The decision, approved by the Council of Apostles and Prophets (CAP), was formally adopted by delegates attending the 6th General Council Meeting at the TAC Conference Centre in Fafraha, Accra. Church President Ami-Narh explained that the ban aims to curb practices that have strayed from Ghanaian cultural and spiritual values.
“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 official statement read. While acknowledging that such traditions may be culturally acceptable in Western contexts, the Church leadership stressed they do not align with its core values.
The directive extends beyond the kiss itself. The Council has also cautioned members against engaging in “awkward and immoral pre-wedding photoshoots” that couples often share on social media before marriage. Church officials view these practices as diluting the sanctity of matrimony.
President Ami-Narh emphasized the importance of preserving the honour of marriage from the outset. “The honour of marriage must be preserved and upheld, rather than diluted even before couples come to the altar,” he stated, adding that promoting Christian values before marriage serves to honour God.
The announcement received overwhelming support from delegates, who greeted the decision with thunderous applause and cheers. Many view the move as a necessary step to shield young people from the excesses of social media culture and Western influences that have increasingly shaped modern Ghanaian wedding practices.
The ban reflects broader concerns within Ghana’s religious institutions about the commercialization and Westernization of traditional ceremonies. By reasserting cultural and spiritual values, the Apostolic Church-Ghana joins other denominations grappling with how to maintain doctrinal standards in an increasingly globalized world where wedding trends spread rapidly through social platforms.
The new policy will take effect immediately for all TAC-GH marriage ceremonies going forward.
