Methodist Presiding Bishop Raises Concerns Over “Detty December” and Calls for Christ-Centred Christmas Celebrations

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has expressed concern over the growing use of the term “Detty December” to describe Christmas festivities, questioning its association with the month of Christ’s birth.

Speaking on the matter, he said the word “detty,” which many people associate with “dirty,” should not be linked to the Christmas season. He cautioned that the phrase could be interpreted as encouraging inappropriate behaviour during a period meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

According to him, “detty” originated from Nigerian Pidgin English, derived from the word “dirty,” and is used to describe the wild, excessive and non-stop nature of December celebrations in Nigeria. In Ghana, however, the term gained popularity from the “Detty Rave” concert organized by entertainer Mr Eazy, with the name coined by his manager, Bernard Kafui Sokpe, as a promotional tool.

Despite its origin, the Presiding Bishop noted that many people now mistakenly equate “detty” with “dirty,” creating negative connotations around Christmas celebrations. He referenced a recent Graphic Showbiz publication in which the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, also known as KOD, expressed reservations about the term, stating that it reduced December to a period focused solely on entertainment.

“Who decided to put the word ‘dirty’ on the month in which Jesus was born? Let’s celebrate Christmas in the spirit in which it was established,” the Presiding Bishop said.

Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu made these remarks during an interview with journalists after inducting the connexional executives of the Fellowship of Methodist Evangelists. Methodist evangelists are lay members tasked with preaching, evangelism and establishing new congregations within the church.

He lamented that Christmas, which should be a season of joy, had increasingly become a time marked by excessive drinking, reckless spending and other untoward behaviour. He also expressed concern about the conduct of some drivers who, taking advantage of increased passenger numbers during the season, drive carelessly and cause accidents.

“We are enjoining all and sundry to be careful. Make merry, but in moderation. Avoid behaviour that leads to pain and misery, and let’s celebrate Christmas in peace,” he urged.

The Presiding Bishop called on Ghanaians not to remove Christ from the Christmas season and expressed hope that Christ’s grace would guide the nation into the coming year. He further appealed to political leaders, public officers and civil servants to embrace selflessness, noting that greed and self-centredness often result in hardship and suffering for others.

The inducted 11-member connexional executive is chaired by Evangelist Gladys Mamtee Osabutey, with Prof. Francis K. E. Nunoo as Vice-Chairman. Other members include Ebenezer Fosu Dadzie as Secretary, Chief Arku Korsah as Assistant Secretary, Emmanuel Aboagye Ayerakwa as Financial Secretary, Nathaniel Okang as Treasurer, Godfred K. N. Sarpong as Public Relations Officer, Nicholas Awuku-Bekoe as Ex Officio Member, and Charles Mensah, John Eshun and Dinah Ghartey as Executive Members.

Dignitaries present at the induction included former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison; former Administrative Bishop of the church, Rt Rev. Albert Ofoe Wright; the Lay President of the church, Kwasi Attah-Antwi; and the Bishops of the Accra and Northern Accra Dioceses, Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Nii Nmai Ollennu and Rt Rev. Andrew Mbeah-Baiden.

Inducting the executives, Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu reminded them that their calling required strong character, commitment to teaching the Word of God, leadership in prayer and praise, and active participation in the church’s mission.

“Yours is a responsibility rooted in the Word of God. You will bring the message of salvation to all, in season and out of season,” he said, urging them to live lives that reflected their faith and commitment.

In a sermon delivered later, the Presiding Bishop noted that the induction coincided with Advent, a period in Christendom marking the remembrance of God coming into the world through Jesus Christ. He charged the inductees to personally acknowledge the saving grace of Christ so they could faithfully proclaim Him.

Evangelist Osabutey, the first female Chairperson of the fellowship since its establishment in 1994, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work with God to bring more people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.