Posts in category: PENTSOS

The National Coordinator for the Environmental Care Campaign and the Agormanya Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, has said that the challenge with the disposal and management of plastic wastes in Ghana is not insurmountable but requires a concerted effort.

Delivering the keynote address at the grand durbar organised by The Church of Pentecost in partnership with the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day, Apostle Gakpetor said: “We can change the narrative of the perennial flooding, dirty environment, choked gutters, degradation of land and ocean if we decide to devote concerted efforts.”

The Agormanya Area Head highlighted the economic repercussions of inadequate plastic waste management, including the high costs of clean-up operations, litter removal, repair and replacement of damaged fishing gear, reduced fishing catches, and a decline in coastal tourism.

He further drew attention to the environmental pollution caused by the open burning of plastics, releasing poisonous chemicals into the atmosphere and negatively affecting the health of humans and animals.

To overcome the plastic waste menace, Apostle Gakpetor stressed the importance of collaboration and collective effort by all stakeholders in dealing with the problem.

“We call on all governments and related ministries and agencies, churches, traditional rulers, waste management companies, as well as all other stakeholders to engage on how to deal with this menace. We should not just pay lip service to the World Environment Day but use the day to continue to raise awareness of the need to care for the Environment,” he said.

Apostle Gakpetor urged individuals to be responsible citizens and dispose of waste properly in bins with fitted covers.  

He also called for the need for education on waste disposal and the need for segregation of waste at home, school, etc., especially as segregated plastics are in high demand by recycling companies.

The Agormanya Area Head further noted that The Church of Pentecost had taken proactive steps to address the plastic waste challenge, including Plastic Waste Recycling Project, which has now been launched in the various Pentecost schools.

He said the project, among others, aims to equip students with knowledge about the impact of plastics on the environment and encourage them to contribute to plastic reuse, reduction, and recycling efforts.

The World Environment Day durbar marked the first time The Church of Pentecost celebrated this significant international day for the environment. The event, which took place at the premises of the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS), Madina, also had in attendance Elder Richard Amaning (PENTSOS Director) and Mr. Jephthah Tetteh (Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Zoomlion Ghana Limited).

Some ministers of the Church, representatives from PENTSOS and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, as well as dedicated staff and teachers from PPS-Madina, PPS-Ashaiman, PPS-Bubiashie, and PPS-Tema, also participated in the event.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Director of Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), the social services wing of The Church of Pentecost, Elder Richard Amaning, has stressed the need to involve children in Ghana’s fight against plastic waste.

According to the PENTSOS Director, children are the best resources for environmental campaigns because they are both the plastics users and agents that can help fight plastic pollution in Ghana.

“The role of children, especially students, cannot be ignored in the plastic pollution campaign. They are instrumental and can be good agents of transformation,” he said.

Elder Amaning said during an address at the 2023 World Environmental Day held at the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPL), Madina Estate, Accra, on Monday, June 5, 2023.

The event, organised by The Church of Pentecost in collaboration with PENTSOS and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, was attended by students from the Pentecost Schools in Tema, Ashaiman, Bubiashie, and Madina.

The ceremony, which was chaired by Apostle Samuel Gakpetor (Agormanya Area Head and National Chairman of the National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee – NDLC), was also attended by members of the Environmental Care Committee, Ministers of the Church, Representatives from Zoomlion and Universal Plastic Products Recycling (UPPR), among others.

In his welcome address, Elder Amaning expressed his gratitude to the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost for its support in making the programme possible.

He noted that the Day held under the theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” focused on reducing plastic pollution globally and encouraging plastic reuse and recycling.

The World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 by the United Nations.

World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matter. The steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action.

The 2023 World Environment Day campaign #BeatPlasticPollution calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Church of Pentecost has constructed three new Skills Development Centres in Northern Ghana to empower young persons economically.

The facilities are at Temaa in Walewale, Zebilla in Bawku, and Kaleo in Wa.

The Chairman revealed this in the 2022 State-of-the-Church Address (SOCA22), which he delivered on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the 46th General Council Meetings opening ceremony.

In his address, he said, “To enhance economic livelihoods in deprived communities, PENTSOS, with funding from the Church, implemented three critical interventions to improve household incomes and create jobs for the youth.

According to him, the Church, through PENTSOS, constructed a gari processing centre in the Nyambong community in the Nkwanta Area of the Church to improve the standard of living of women and their families in and around the community.

He added that the facility, which comprises a storeroom, office, grating, dewatering, and roasting areas, produces about 500 bags of gari weekly with buyers from Bawku, Bolgatanga, Techiman, Burkina Faso and Mankessim.

He further noted that the Church has constructed and operated a 10-acre solar-powered irrigation farm at Tanga in the Bawku Area. It currently employs 52 farmers to improve their income levels.

Apostle Nyamekye mentioned that, under Vision 2023, a major strategic priority for PENTSOS is to build sustainable livelihoods, climate change resilience, and efficient natural resources management.

“This vision enjoins PENTSOS to train and resource members of The Church of Pentecost on snail rearing, mushroom cultivation, soap making, and dry season vegetable gardening to earn income from the venture,” he indicated.

He revealed that PENTSOS also facilitated financial support provided through PENCO with micro-loans (or partnerships with government or private institutions) for members of the Church to start their businesses after training.

“The overarching purpose of the Church’s livelihood enhancement interventions is to create an enabling environment for job creation to enhance household income levels,” he ended.

PENTECOST NEWS

Eleven trainees have completed their three-year apprenticeship training at the Pentecost Skills Learning Centre, a vocational training centre constructed by The Church of Pentecost, through the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), at Temaa in the North-East Region of Ghana.

The trainees, who were trained in dressmaking, pastry making, beads making, and hairdressing, graduated at a special ceremony held on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

In his speech at the event, the Walewale Area Head, Apostle Norman Appiah-Danquah, who chaired the ceremony, said that the skills-training project began under his predecessor, Apostle Francis Yaw Adu, with approval from the Church’s leadership and supported by the PENTSOS Directorate.

Apostle Norman Appiah-Danquah expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the members of the Executive Council for giving the project their full support.

He also congratulated the graduands for completing their training and encouraged them to demonstrate the skills acquired with integrity and hard work.

The Area Head further noted that the Church is very relevant and essential since it is the shining light that repels the darkness of the world and the salt of the earth given the mandate to correct the ills of society.

According to him, for the church to make a maximum impact in society, there is a need to mobilize all skills, talent, and ideas from every community to provide solutions to meet the challenges of the current generation.

“This can be done as persons allow themselves and reflect the beauty of Christ in the work they do,” he said.

The Walewale Area Head ended his speech by quoting Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

In an exhortation titled “Repositioning Artisanship to Possess the Nations” with Ephesians 2:10 as scripture reference, the Kpangal District Minister, Overseer Aaron Annum, encouraged the graduands to depend on God, who is the master artisan, in order to excel in their respective fields. He also urged them to be truthful and work hard with all diligence in their trade as artisans.

In her remarks, Mrs. Sandra Asiedu, the Principal of the Centre and wife of the Temaa District Minister, assured the graduates that God is the first artisan. She encouraged them to reflect Christ in their work, ensure that they work hard, and put all the skills acquired into practice.

The Pentecost Skills Learning Centre was initiated by the Temaa District Minister, Pastor George Asiedu, and his wife, Sandra, to equip members, especially the youth, with employable skills in line with the community transformation agenda of the Church’s five-year strategic vision (Vision 2023: Possessing the Nations).

The centre currently has fifteen apprentices training in dressmaking, pastries, beads-making, hairdressing, and weaving, who are being trained by four instructors.

Report by Temaa District Media Team

The Dansoman Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated 50 units of school desks worth GHS 11,000.00 to the Dansoman ‘A’ Cluster of Schools.

The gesture, which was made through the Area’s Pentecost Social Services Committee, was in response to a request made by the Headmistress of the school to the Church through Deacon Domickson Asare, the Chairman of the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) of the school and a member of Pentecost International Worship Centre, Dansoman (PIWC-Dansoman).

At the presentation ceremony on Thursday, April 13, 2023, the Dansoman Area Head, Apostle Daniel Kodjoe Sey, expressed his warmest regards to the school authorities for granting the church access to be part of the school and its activities.

He noted that the Church’s five-year strategic vision, dubbed “Possessing the Nations,” enjoins the Church to extend an arm of benevolence to its community, hence the gesture. Apostle Sey indicated that the Church critically examined the need of the school and agreed to contribute to the welfare and well-being of the pupils.

He also advised the pupils to be studious and live exemplary lives in the school and in their communities.

Mrs. Charity Lariba Daboya, on behalf of the management, staff, and pupils of the school, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the church for their donation and pleaded with the church for more support.

Present at the event were Mrs. Rebecca Adwoa Sey, wife of the Area Head, Pastor Samuel Kweku Asante (Area Secretary), Elder Samuel Dankyi Ansong (Area Deacon), and Pastor Dickson Otchere Darko (PENTSOS Area Coordinator).

Others in attendance were Elder Samuel Sackey (Area PENTSOS Secretary), Elder Isaac Kofi Eduah (Area PENTSOS Executive Member), a cross-section of the area pastorate and wives, teachers, pupils, and the Dansoman Area Media Team headed by Pastor I. E. Quaicoe.

Report by Lawrence Nana Kwame Asiamah (Media Ministry).

The Aflao Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated a TATA bus to Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS) at Aflao in the Volta Region.

The Aflao Area Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, who presented the bus to the school at a brief ceremony held at the school’s premises on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, stated that the donation of the slightly used bus was in fulfilment of the church’s commitment to ensure that the school was adequately resourced to deliver improved learning outcomes in the Ketu South Municipality.

The bus which was initially received from the PENTSOS Directorate of the Church’s Head Office was refurbished by the Area at a cost of GH¢50,000.00 before being handed over to the school. It has come at a time when the school was in dire need of a means of transport for the students and staff.

The Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Yvonne Semakor, who could not hide her joy expressed her appreciation to the Area for the timely intervention. She assured the leadership that the bus will put to proper use for maximum impact and longevity.

Also present at a short ceremony were Mrs. Ophelia Agyen Brefo (Area Head’s wife), the Pastorate, Elder Emmanuel Awuakye (Area Deacon) and the Area PENTSOS Committee members.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey, Aflao Area Reporter

The Wassa Ankasie Assembly in the Agona District of The Church of Pentecost, in partnership with Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), has donated farm equipment worth GHS 53,000.00 to some residents of the Ankasie community.

The donation, which includes crocodile cutlasses, weedicides, pairs of wellington boots, and a cash amount of GHS 100.00 each, were presented to the beneficiaries at a short presentation ceremony held on Monday, March 20, 2023.

According to Pastor John Kweku Nartey, the Wassa Ankasie District Minister and the pastor-in-charge of the project, the gesture would help the 166 beneficiaries clear and prepare their farmlands for the planting season in May this year.

He further stated that, as part of the project, cocoa seedlings, coconut seedlings, orange and oil palm would be given to the beneficiaries, who are the selected caregivers of children in the community enrolled on the CIGH project.

“Our focus is to provide them with self-sustaining financial support. This is part of the interventions that Compassion International gives to the parents of the children on the project annually to support them and alleviate poverty,” he said.

Other CIGH officials present at the presentation ceremony were Mr. Justice Tsormana (Project Director), Elder Divine Todzo (Account Clerk) and Deaconess Priscilla Arthur (Social Health Worker).

The partnership between the Ankasie Assemby and CIGH began in 2017 when the latter undertook a feasibility study on the veracity of planting a Child and Youth Development Centre in the community.

The collaboration, however, came into force in 2018 after the community met all the criteria for the project, with the Church serving as the Implementing Church Partner (ICP) for the project.

Currently, 210 children of the Wassa Ankasie Assembly are enrolled onto the CIGH initiative.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Downtown Ofaakor Area of The Church of Pentecost has commissioned a limited mechanised water system for the Ankonisin Community to provide over 400 residents with safe drinking water.

The facility, which was constructed by the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) Committee of the Area, has brought great relief to the residents who hitherto depended on a stream as their only water source.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held on March 1, 2023, Apostle Samuel Antwi (Rtd.), who represented the Area Head, Apostle Dr Ben Ali, at the event, said that the project is in line with the Church’s five-year strategic vision, dubbed “Possessing the Nations.”

He said that the water system is one of the ways that the Church is exhibiting the love of Christ to the community.

The PENTSOS Director, Elder Richard Amaning, in a brief remark at the event, said that the water system, constructed at a cost of GHC 34,278.00., consists of one borehole, 10,000 litres overhead storage tank and two fetching points.

He admonished the community to take proper care of the facility by instituting a levying system to maintain it. He also revealed that a committee has been set up to manage the facility.

Present at the ceremony were Downtown Ofaakor Area pastorate, the Area Head’s Wife, officers, church members and the community members.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Bawku Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Eric Gyacham, has installed Apostle Gideon Obeng-Darko Debrah (Atonsu Area Head) and Elder Richard Amaning, Director of Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), as Peace and Development Ambassadors, respectively for the Bawku community.

The ceremony took place during the climax of this year’s Officers Apostolisation held at Zebilla on Friday, February 24, 2023. It was attended by more than 400 officers and other leaders as well as ministers and their wives of the church from the 19 districts within the Bawku Area.

Considering the current turbulent situation in Bawku, the Area Head, Pastor Eric Gyacham, noted that the purpose of the exercise was obviously to help raise prayers for the peace of the area.

He presented traditional northern smock as an appreciation of their contributions to this year’s Apostolisation and the development of the area. 

The entire congregation could not hide their joy as they were seen jumping and screaming to the glory of God.

Apostle G. O. D. Debrah and Elder Amaning were the guest speakers at the retreat. They exhausted every breadth to assist participants through the various teachings and discussions to understand the theme of the year and to reposition themselves and their various local assemblies for maximum impact.

The Church of Pentecost Headquarters through PENTSOS has helped the Bawku Area in a lot of developmental projects such as the state-of-the-art Kultamise Clinic, Tanga Irrigation Project and Bawku Weaving Centres, among others.

Report by Bawku Area Media Team.