Posts in category: PENTSOS

The President of Pentecost Co-operative Mutual Support and Social Services Society Limited (PENCO) of the La Area of The Church of Pentecost, Elder Prof. Raymond Dziwornu, has said that the Society continues to play a significant role in providing affordable financial products to improve the lives of its customers, after declaring a dividend of 10% on shareholders’ share value.

Elder Prof. Dziwornu revealed that the Society made a surplus of GHS 179,642.18 for the year 2022 and had a total asset of GHS 5,367,655.87 with a total membership of 5,102 as of December 31, 2022, representing about 7.23% increase over 2021 membership. He said the Society projects to increase its total assets to GHS6,000,000 and increase customer deposits by 15%.

Elder Prof. Dziwornu disclosed this at the Sixth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PENCO-La Area held on Sunday, July 16, July 16, 2023, at Dr Thomas Wyatt Temple.

As part of the AGM, the Society launched an innovative product for children dubbed “Kiddie Savings Account.” Elder Prof. Dziwornu hinted that the new product is a medium to encourage children to save and instil savings habits in them, saying, “Children have the potential to save.” 

The President indicated that the account is available to children between the ages of one and eighteen. However, parents will hold the account in trust for their children until they turn 18. He urged parents to take advantage of the new initiative and open accounts for their children to help build their children’s savings habits.

Elder Prof. Dziwornu announced that PENCO-La Area will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, and various activities have been earmarked for the celebration.

The meeting was also used to confirm the appointment of two board members to the offices of Vice President and Secretary, respectively. Her Ladyship Deaconess Barbara Tetteh Charway assumed the office of Vice President, while Elder Eric Padi Nyabey took the office of Secretary to the Board.

The Directors’ report, which Deaconess Dr Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe read, indicated that “the Society, against all odds, made some substantial financial gains on which premises the board of directors propose to declare a dividend of 10% on shareholders’ share value. In all, a total of GHS 44,847.40 is to be paid as dividend to shareholders.” 

Elder Martin Obodai Atter officially declared the 10% dividend and was approved by members.

In a fraternal statement, the La Area Head, Apostle Dr Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe, encouraged the Society to keep up the good works for a better tomorrow. 

Awards were presented to some hardworking customers and the best-performing Local Assembly.

In his closing remarks, the President expressed the Board’s appreciation to the management, Loans and Supervisory Committee Members, Local Representatives and all shareholders and customers for their immense support for the Society’s activities. 

In attendance were officials from the Department of Co-operatives, La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) and PENCO APEX.

Report by Gina Akua Padi.

Amidst Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) relentless efforts to enforce compliance and tackle VAT violations among businesses, the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) stands out as a shining example of tax compliance, earning commendation from the Authority.

The GRA presented a well-deserved citation to the facility’s management on July 28, 2023, in recognition of this exemplary feat.

Pastor Prince Odoom, the Manager of PCC, received the citation on behalf of the Centre and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Authority for the recognition.

He further assured that the Centre would continue to contribute its quota to the nation’s development by upholding Christian values and principles, which includes dutifully fulfilling their tax obligations.

Located at Millenium City near Kasoa in the Central Region, the purpose-built Pentecost Convention Centre boasts impressive conference spaces, including 5000 and 3000-seater capacity auditoriums, along with dining halls, a state-of-the-art laundry facility, and a water treatment plant.

The Centre also has service shops like grocery and barbering salons.

The Centre gained widespread acclaim during the CoVID-19 pandemic when it served as a treatment and isolation center, offering its facilities to the government of Ghana.

To further boost tax revenue and promote infrastructural and social projects, the GRA launched the Ghana Revenue Authority Engagement with Religious Leaders, seeking religious leaders’ support in tax education and encouraging their followers to fulfill their tax obligations to the state.

Pentecost Convention Centre’s success sets an example for faith-based communities to strengthen members’ sense of responsibility as citizens, fostering greater tax compliance and supporting the Authority’s efforts to mobilise revenue for the state.

It is also worthy of mention that the Centre was previously honoured by the Kingdom Equip Network for its exceptional facilities and role as a hub of Christian spirituality.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), in collaboration with its development partner, International Christian Ministries (ICM), Ghana, has commissioned libraries in the Pentecost Preparatory schools (PPS) at Akim Kwabeng, Agormany, and Akosombo.

PENTSOS is implementing the School Library Improvement project to enhance the reading culture among pupils in Pentecost Schools.

The Library Project also seeks to provide information to the academic community to support research and instructional programmes.

The project commenced in 2022 and targets reaching 50 Pentecost Schools with improved libraries to foster quality teaching and learning.

PENTSOS has so far established six libraries in selected Pentecost Schools and hopes to replicate the initiative in about 13 schools before the end of 2023 with its partners.

The Library Project aims to improve the reading culture of at least 2,500 pupils in Pentecost Schools in Ghana.

The estimated cost of the library project is GHS 70,000.00, covering the setup and value of books. The PPS-Akim Kwabeng library was commissioned on July 24, 2023, by the Suhum Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Patrick Aseyoro.

Speaking on transforming societies through reading good books, Apostle Aseyoro admonished the pupils to recognize that they are the light of this world.

Apostle Samuel Gakpetor, the Agormanya Area of the Church, speaking at the commissioning program on July 25, 2023, at PPS-Agormanya and PPS-Akosombo, advised the pupils to cultivate the habit of reading because it helps to improve one’s knowledge, creativity, and vocabulary.

“When we empty our pockets into our minds, our developed minds will fill back our pockets,” he said.

At the commissioning ceremony, the PENTSOS Director, Elder Richard Amaning, encouraged the pupils to take reading seriously to become better individuals, stressing that reading helps to improve one’s vocabulary.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rev. Philip Tutu, the Executive Director of ICM-Ghana, encouraged the students and schools to make good use of the libraries and mainstream library sessions into the full academic calendar of the school.

He further expressed ICM-Ghana’s commitment to partnering with PENTSOS to reach the last mile of Pentecost Schools without libraries.

In a related development, a new ICT laboratory, school bus, and a Sick bay were also commissioned at PPS-Akosombo. The newly commissioned library in PPS-Akosombo has been named after the outgoing General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) has been honoured by the Kingdom Equip Network (KEN) in recognition of the Centre’s exceptional facilities and for providing a serene environment that serves as the hub of Christian spirituality.

The Kingdom Equip Network, a renowned organisation known for its commitment to encouraging good governance and spiritual growth among church and para-church organisations, presented the citation to the Centre on July 20, 2023.

Situated on a sprawling 250-acre land in Gomoa Fetteh, the Centre has become a favourite destination for personal and corporate retreats, offering a spiritual ambience conducive for waiting on the Lord.

Over the past decade, the Pentecost Convention Centre has played a significant role in hosting various local and international conferences, accommodating an impressive number of over 300,000 guests from across the globe. The Centre’s unique accommodation facilities have the capacity to host more than 3000 guests comfortably, while its catering services can serve a sitting capacity of 3000 individuals.

What sets the PCC apart is not just its excellent facilities but also its commitment to family life. The Centre has thoughtfully incorporated a recreational facility, including a Children’s Auditorium and Resource Centre, catering to the spiritual needs of families and children.

The citation also acknowledged the significant contribution of the Centre in fighting COVID-19 in 2020. “Responding to the call of duty, the Centre confidently offered its facility to the Government of Ghana, serving as an Isolation Centre at no cost. This act of compassion and dedication demonstrated PCC’s devotion to serving God’s creation and the community,” the citation read.

Receiving the citation on behalf of the Centre, Pastor Prince Odoom, the Centre Manager, expressed gratitude to God and the Kingdom Equip Network for the huge recognition bestowed upon PCC.

He lauded the continued support of the leadership of The Church of Pentecost and the Pentecost Convention Centre Board, as well as the hard work and devotion of the management and staff of the Centre over the years, which has resulted in the establishment of an exceptional Christian Center of Excellence. He said that PCC remains committed to promoting Christ-centered values and providing a conducive atmosphere for spiritual growth and development.

As it looks to the future, the Centre aims to enhance its services and facilities, continuing to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who seek to draw closer to the divine.

With this citation from the Kingdom Equip Network, the Pentecost Convention Centre has solidified its position as the largest Christian event centre in Ghana, garnering well-deserved acclaim and recognition both nationally and internationally.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Pastor Nana Adom of the Grace Community Church in Redhill, United Kingdom, has constructed a clinic facility at Teshie Praso and donated it to The Church of Pentecost.

The facility will be operated and managed by the Church through the Pentecost Health Services unit of the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), the Church’s social services arm.

The Clinic facility was commissioned and dedicated on Thursday, June 20, 2023, by Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng, Coordinator for the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Committee (ARCC) of and Area Head for Bompata.

In a brief exhortation from Deuteronomy 20:5-6 and Exodus 13:1-13, he taught about the meaning of dedication and the importance of sacrificial giving, encouraging members to emulate the kind gesture of Pastor Nana Adom.

Apostle Adei-Kwarteng, on behalf of the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and the Executive Council, thanked Pastor Nana Adom and his family for believing in the Church’s vision to transform societies and for partnering with the Church to foster its “Possessing the Nations” agenda.

Speaking at the event, Pastor Nana Adom, whose mother is a Deaconess of The Church of Pentecost in the Suame Area, said his kind gesture was in fulfillment of a promise to God and also to address a critical need by the people of Teshie Praso, a rural community in the Ashanti Akyem South Municipal in the Ashanti Region.

The community members had to endure hardships owing to the absence of a health care facility.

Women during labor had to be carried on motorcycles to the district capital Juaso, which is about 20 kilometres away.

The healthcare facility was constructed to help reduce maternal and child mortality in the community and over 15 surrounding villages in the Ashanti and Eastern regions.

The PENTSOS Director, Elder Richard Amaning, mentioned that the building will be equipped and managed by the Health service of the Church to serve its purpose.

He added that the Church, through PENTSOS, has made a budget of GHS700,000.00 available to ensure the maximum operation of the facility.

The Chief and people thanked the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for the creation of the Teshie Praso District of the Church and for posting Pastor Adotey Mensah as the first District Minister.

They also expressed their gratitude to the philanthropist who responded to their distress call through the District Minister.

The District Chief Executive of the Ashanti Akyem South, Hon. Alex Frimpong, also expressed joy and appreciation from the government to the donor and The Church of Pentecost for their immense contribution to national development.

He indicated the Municipality’s support of connecting the facility to the national grid and also donating some street lights for the illumination of the surroundings of the facility.

He called on the chiefs and people to create an enabling environment for the workers to feel at home while at post to ensure the attainment of the purpose of establishing the facility would be achieved.

The occasion was graced by ministers and wives in the Konongo Area as well as the chiefs and people of the fifteen communities that would be served by the health facility.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Zebilla District in the Bawku Area of The Church of Pentecost has successfully renovated a three-unit classroom block for Zebilla D/A Primary School in the Bawku West district at a cost of GHC 8,700.00.

The school, which is purported to be the oldest in the district (established in 1946), has trained prominent people of the region.

Despite its goodwill, the school facility was in a deplorable state and needed urgent attention.

In fulfillment of the Church’s strategic vision (Vision 2023) which includes championing societal transformation, the Zebilla District came to the aid of the school.

During a short ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to hand over the project back to the school authorities, the Bawku Area Head, Pastor Eric Gyacham, encouraged the leaders and all present to cultivate the spirit of maintenance culture for nation-building.

Speaking in an interview with PENTECOST NEWS on the sidelines of the event, the Zebilla District Minister, Overseer Michael Kudodzi, said that the Church does not exist only to offer spiritual help, but rather, through a holistic approach, it seeks to bring spiritual, physical, economic, and social transformation and development to human life and the communities it resides in.

Present at the ceremony were representatives of the Zebilla District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Circuit Supervisor, the Director in charge of Finance and Administration, the Deputy Coordinating Director of the Bawku West District Assembly, as well as the Headteacher and staff of the school.

The event also had in attendance a cross-section of the Area pastorate and their wives.

Report by Bawku Area Media Team

A coconut processing plant constructed by the Adansi Atwereboana District in the Assin Foso Area of The Church of Pentecost has been commissioned.

The GH¢95,000.00 project was commissioned by the Assin Foso Area Head of the Church, Apostle Frederick Kwaku Andoh, on Friday, June 9, 2023. The chiefs and people of the community attended the colourful ceremony.

The facility, which will extract coconut oil with the brand name ‘Pent Rich Cooking Oil,’ is expected to offer initial direct job opportunities to about 20 people.

The District Minister, Pastor Maxwell Kusi, a brainchild of the project, explained that he used the internally generated funds to finance the project.

He indicated that the Church intends to use the facility to turn around the economic fortunes of members of the Church in the district, create employment opportunities for the youth, and find alternative sources of income to support ongoing church projects.

“This project follows the inauguration of a market project the Church constructed for the Atwereboana community a year ago,” Pastor Kusi disclosed.

According to him, the people in the area are predominantly farmers, most of whom are engaged in coconut production, stressing that the need to provide a ready market for their produce and improve their economic situations gave birth to the project.

“Aside from generating more funds to support the Church’s developmental projects, we hope to create jobs along the value chain for our teaming youth,” he added.

Speaking on the topic, “Identifying and exercising your unique talent for maximum impact,” with scripture reference from Matthew 25:14-29, the Area Head, Apostle Frederick Kwaku Andoh, asserted that God had created a unique talent in each person which, when identified and harnessed, brings more significant impact.

“One disaster that can happen to anyone is identifying your talent and yet hiding it,” he said, adding, “Remember that you are accountable to God for every talent he has given you. Identify your talent, exercise it and God will bless you and cause you to make the needed impact.”

Mr Kester Gyedu Dente, who represented the Adansi South District Chief Executive (DCE), commended the District Pastor for his visionary leadership, which has improved the local economy and job creation.

He seized the opportunity to advise potential workers at the plant to work faithfully in expanding the business.

The Odikro of Adansi Atwereboana, Nana Adua II, also paid glowing tribute to The Church of Pentecost and the District Pastor for their massive contributions towards the development of the community and its people.

Present at the ceremony were Ministers of the Church and their wives in the Assin Foso Area, delegates from the Adansi South District Assembly, Heads of Departments, Chiefs and Elders of Adansi Atwereboana, and market queens, among others.

Report by Pastor Samuel Avornyo, Area Reporter

The Kaase District in the Asokwa Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated educational materials worth GHC 25,000 to the Kaase M/A Primary and Junior High School (JHS) in the Asokwa Municipal of the Ashanti Region to promote teaching and learning in the school.

A delegation led by the District Minister, Pastor Benjamin Antwi Kwarifa, visited the school on Monday, May 22, 2023, and presented 100 pieces of dual desks and 100 copies of guidance books.

According to Pastor Kwarifa, the gesture, which was a response to the request made by the school, corroborates the Vision 2023 of the Church, which focuses on “Possessing the Nations” by influencing every sphere with Kingdom values and principles.

He was optimistic that the desks would help address the seating challenge being faced by the school whilst the guidance books would also help to shape the moral lives of the pupils. 

Receiving the items, the headmistress of Kaase M/A Primary School, Madam Dela Rita, expressed her sincere gratitude to The Church of Pentecost, especially Kaase District for the kind gesture.

She said the items would go a long way to ehance teaching and learning in the school, thereby influencing the lives of the learners positively.

She further disclosed that most of the pupils have no exercise books and school uniforms and this affects their education, hence her appeal to all to come to their aid.

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah & Dennis Owusu

The Sawla District of The Church of Pentecost has donated 197 Bibles and other Christian literature to the staff and pupils of the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS), Sawla.

The donation was made on behalf of the District by the District Minister, Pastor Samuel Awuah, during a presentation ceremony at the school premises on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Speaking at the event, Pastor Awuah stated that the donation, which is in fulfillment of the Area’s “One Student, One Bible” initiative, was done in collaboration with the Sawla Area Children’s Ministry.

According to him, the project aims to provide every student in the Sawla Area with a Bible and, in doing so, help inculcate the habit of Bible reading among the young students who are the future leaders.

Pastor Awuah noted that the Church, through this project, has donated Bibles to all students from Basic 3 to JHS 3, with all teachers and other non-teaching staff also receiving a Bible each.

“So far, 35 students have made a decision for Christ to the glory of God,” he further noted.

The donation coincided with a visit by officials of the Samaritan’s Purse initiative to the school. The team also donated 150 gift boxes to the students.

Receiving the items on behalf of the students, the headteacher of the school thanked the Church and the Samaritan’s Purse team for their kind donation and support.

He also assured them that the donated items would be put to good use as intended.

Present at the presentation ceremony were Pastor Alex Nsiah, the Nakwabi District Minister and the Sawla Area Youth Ministry Leader, and Pastor Prince Kwesi Mensah, the Gbongbondouri District and the Area Coordinator for Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs).

Report by Jones Dwomoh Amankwah (Sawla Area Media Team)

The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, organised a grand durbar to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day.

The event, held at the premises of the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS), Madina, brought together pupils from various Pentecost Schools, including PPS-Madina, PPS-Ashaiman, PPS-Bubiashie, and PPS-Tema. Some ministers of the Church, representatives from PENTSOS and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, as well as dedicated staff and teachers from the Pentecost Schools, also graced the occasion.

The durbar commenced with a warm welcome address from Elder Richard Amaning, the Director of PENTSOS. Elder Amaning expressed gratitude to the Executive Council of the Church of Pentecost for making the event possible.

He highlighted the significance of World Environment Day, a global celebration led by the United Nations, with this year’s theme being “Beat Plastic Pollution,” which aimed to reduce plastic pollution worldwide and encourage plastic reuse and recycling.

Elder Amaning emphasised the crucial role of children, especially students, as both consumers and potential agents of change in the fight against plastic pollution in Ghana.

Following the welcome address, the National Coordinator for the Environmental Care Campaign and the Agormanya Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, delivering the keynote address, expressed joy at the Church’s involvement in celebrating World Environment Day for the first time, considering it a milestone in the Church’s “Possessing the Nations” agenda.

He acknowledged the positive efforts of the Church towards environmental care and emphasised the need for all churches to join forces in transforming Ghana.

Apostle Gakpetor highlighted the Chairman’s directive to focus on plastic waste recycling and clean-up exercises in the 2023 Environmental Care Campaign, stressing the importance of responsible waste disposal and recycling.

He called upon various stakeholders, including governments, waste management companies, and traditional rulers, to actively engage in tackling the plastic waste menace.

Mr. Jephthah Tetteh, the Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in his speech, provided insightful information on the global issue of plastic pollution, underscoring the alarming increase in plastic production and its adverse effects on the environment.

Mr. Tetteh highlighted the types of plastics and the opportunities and problems associated with their usage. He presented statistics on plastic waste generation in Africa and Ghana, stressing the need for concerted efforts to tackle the plastic waste challenge.

He outlined the various stakeholders involved in the plastic recycling value chain, from pickers to recyclers, and reiterated the importance of each role in addressing the issue.

Mr. Tetteh also called for collaboration among all institutions and stakeholders to achieve Ghana’s recycling targets and mitigate the plastic waste menace.

The World Environment Day durbar also served as a platform to launch the Plastic Waste Project in Pentecost Schools, aimed at educating students about the impact of plastic on the environment and promoting the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics.

The event also featured a variety of engaging activities, including poetry recitals, drama performances, dance routines, and an exhibition showcasing innovative products made from recycled plastic waste.

The celebration ended with an excursion to the Universal Plastic Products Recycling (UPPR) site, where the pupils were given firsthand knowledge about the recycling process of plastics.

PENTECOST NEWS.