Posts in category: PENTSOS

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.

In an effort to address the growing concern about plastic waste and promote environmental consciousness among young students, Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) has launched the Plastic Waste Recycling Project in all Pentecost schools.

The initiative was launched today by the PENTSOS Director, Elder Richard Amaning, during a grand durbar organised by The Church of Pentecost in partnership with PENTSOS and Zoomlion Ghana Limited at the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS), Madina.

Recognising the importance of educating the younger generation about the impact of plastic on the environment, PENTSOS aims to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics. The relaunch of the Plastic Waste Project in Pentecost Schools was a significant step towards achieving this goal.

As part of the project, some students visited the Universal Plastic Products Recycling (UPPR) facility, where they witnessed firsthand the process of recycling plastics.

This practical experience aims to deepen their understanding and foster a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.

The launch of the Plastic Waste Project in Pentecost Schools coincided with the World Environment Day celebration, which served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the environment.

The Plastic Waste Project in Pentecost Schools is expected to be crucial in nurturing environmentally conscious citizens from a young age. By equipping students with the necessary knowledge and practical experiences, PENTSOS aims to create a generation that understands the importance of responsible waste management and actively participates in reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics.

As the Plastic Waste Project takes flight in Pentecost Schools, it is hoped that the collaboration between PENTSOS, educational institutions, and waste management companies will set a positive example for other schools and communities to follow.

The launch of this project marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a plastic waste-free society, as PENTSOS and its partners work hand in hand to instil a sense of environmental stewardship in the hearts and minds of young students.

The World Environment Day durbar, which took place at the premises of the Pentecost Preparatory School (PPS), Madina, also had in attendance Apostle Samuel Gakpetor (National Coordinator for Environmental Care Campaign and Agormanya Area Head) 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 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