The Apostolic Church-Ghana has announced that it has banned the practice of kissing of bride before the altar during wedding ceremonies.
According to the Apostolic Church-Ghana, the decision was approved by the church’s Council of Apostles and Prophets, which has now been adopted by delegates at the 6th General Council Meeting.
The Apostolic Church-Ghana detailed that the directive forms part of efforts to uphold doctrinal standards and maintain reverence during solemn marriage rites.
The Church stressed that the new policy is expected to apply to all assemblies of The Apostolic Church-Ghana and will guide officiating ministers during wedding ceremonies.
In a news card shared by TV3, it read, “Apostolic Church-Ghana has banned the practice of kissing the bride before the altar during marriage ceremonies on wedding days”.
This decision, approved by the Council of Apostles and Prophets (CAP), was adopted by delegates at the 6th General Council Meeting held at the TAC Conference Centre, Fafraha, Accra, on March 28
President Ami-Narh explained that the decision was taken to curb the excesses and inappropriateness that have come to characterise some wedding practices, which are considered alien to Ghanaian cultural and spiritual values.
According to the official statement, “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.”
t noted that while such practices may be acceptable in Western contexts where they form part of the culture, they do not align with the values upheld by the Church.
Throwing more light on the directive, the President emphasised that the honour of marriage must be preserved and upheld. Rather than being diluted even before couples come to the altar. He added that Christian values before marriage must be promoted and respected as a means of honouring God.
The announcement was met with thunderous applause and cheers from delegates, who expressed their support for the decision as a step toward safeguarding the youth from prevailing social media influences and excesses”.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the development stated, “That thing has never made sense. Everyone knows (implicitly) what you’ve been doing to yourselves before and/or after the ceremony. So what’s that act supposed to represent? A public display of your adwaman level?”
“Western church, western culture, western rules. Stick to your traditional weddings and have your pastor bless them, too. It’s the same. You can’t show me how to bond and show love on my August day. Judas even pecked Jesus on his last day”, a netizen added.
“Gradually, the white gown will also go, then they won’t call traditional marriage engagement”, a netizen added.
One more Ghanaian wrote, “Reasons below. According to the official statement, 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.’
It noted that while such practices may be acceptable in Western contexts where they form part of the culture, they do not align with the values upheld by the Church”.
See the post below:
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) March 29, 2026