A family’s faith was tested at a child’s naming ceremony

In northern Ghana, youth worker Charity has spent years building relationships with young people and their families.

She encourages them in their faith while learning about the traditions and family values that are important to their community. Among those she has journeyed with for many years is a young couple whose faith has been tested as they seek to follow Jesus while honouring their heritage.

By mission worker Charity

Imagine giving birth to a child that is not your own… when a child is born in the people group where I serve, it belongs to the uncles, not to the parents. This cultural norm sets the tone for many decisions for the child from when they are born until they die. It has never been more real to me than when Ruth* got married or had a baby.

Two weeks after her son was born, the family began preparing for a baby naming ceremony, a joyful gathering where relatives and friends come together in a home, church, or mosque to hear a child’s name and celebrate new life.

But just days before the ceremony, everything changed. But just days before the ceremony, Ruth’s husband Issac* faced pressure from his uncle, who insisted that traditional rites had to be performed first because the baby would carry the name of his late grandfather, the village chief.

Suddenly, what should have been a moment of joy became a source of deep tension.

“Imagine giving birth to a child that is not your own… when a child is born in the people group where I serve, it belongs to the uncles, not to the parents.”

Issac was torn. As a Christian, he could not agree to the rites, yet he longed to keep peace in the family. So the naming was postponed again and again as they waited, prayed, and searched for a way forward.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Then, at last, God made a way. This past weekend, at four months old, little Elijah* was finally named. His parents chose a name that honors his grandfather and declares an even greater truth: “honour God.”

And yet, even after such a hard-won victory, the struggle is not over.

Issac’s uncle is still pressing for traditional rites to be performed over him.

“His parents chose a name that honors his grandfather and declares an even greater truth: ‘honour God.’”

*Names changed.