Posts in category: Top Stories

Maame Korang Ansah-Obuobi made The Church of Pentecost and Ghana proud after she emerged as the champion of the 2023 UCMAS International Contest (Category B) held in Malaysia.

Miss Ansah-Obuobi, a who fellowships at the S.K. Ofosu Memorial Temple of the New Aplaku District, of the Church and a student of the Rising Sun Montessori School, is the first Ghanaian to accomplish this feat thereby etching her name in history.

The young prodigy’s stellar performance stood out among over 2,500 students from 35 countries, showcasing her exceptional skills in mental arithmetic and abacus techniques.

Ghana’s flag soared high at the UCMAS competition, where Maame Korang Ansah-Obuobi, of Rising Sun Montessori, together with other Ghanaian participants, including Shaurya Gurbani and Thomas Cudjoe Mensah Ababio, who secured the first and second places, respectively, in Category B (Elementary level).

The journey to success for these young minds was marked by dedication, rigorous training, and a passion for mental acuity. Even during their two-day journey to Malaysia, the Ghanaian contingent continued practicing, showcasing their unwavering commitment to representing their nation with pride.

The award ceremony was a moment of jubilation for Ghana as the four students not only secured individual honours but also brought home a total of four awards.

The Ghanaian supporters erupted in cheers, underlining that excellence knows no boundaries and that the nation’s youth can compete globally.

Maame Korang Ansah-Obuobi, in an exclusive interview with Joy Prime’s Emmanuel Dzivenu, expressed her gratitude for the trophy, attributing her success to the support of her teachers and parents.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Florence Buerki Akonor, graced the awards ceremony and extended an invitation to the triumphant team to her residence for a celebration of their achievements on December 5, 2023.

The Technical Director for West Africa at UCMAS, Kirti Gurbani, commended the winners for their dedication, emphasising the international recognition gained among the 35 participating countries.

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Maame Korang Ansah-Obuobi’s success was officially announced by Pastor Isaac Deku, the New Aplaku District Minister to the Church during a District Joint Service, which had in attendance Apostle James Asare, the Kasoa Area Head. The whole church erupted with joy and ecstasy when the announcement was made.

Apostle James Kwabena Asare congratulated her, encouraged and prayed for her for more laurels in her academic pursuit and life.

Report by New Aplaku District Media Team

The Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC Graceland) in the Teshie-Nungua Area of The Church of Pentecost has built a church building for the Atsiaklorbor Assembly in the Ehi District of the Aflao Area of the church.

The edifice, which has a children’s auditorium and office, cost GH¢152,482.00 to construct.  

The Aflao Area Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, dedicated the building on November 24, 2023. 

Speaking at the event on the topic, “The beauty within the church” – Acts 3:1-5, Psalm 27:4-6 and Isaiah 61, the Klikor District Minister, Pastor Hayford Kofi Appiah, stated that the house of God is the home for all people. 

According to Pastor Appiah, the miracle that the crippled received through the ministration of Peter and John in Acts 3:1-5 brought total transformation into his life. This enabled him to gain access to his real home, which is the house of God. 

“The church building is a place where the Lord has put his name. Therefore, the house of God is where people come to God and are blessed. There is peace, healing, joy and deliverance in the house of God,” he said.  

He encouraged Christians to continue to be channels of God’s blessings to others. Anytime Christians minister or preach the gospel to others, they invite them to God’s home. 

“It is in the home that God bestows on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3),” he added.

Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, on behalf of the Aflao Area, expressed his sincere gratitude to PIWC-Graceland for their love and financial support to the church. 

He admonished members of the Atsiaklorbor Assembly to make the church their home and seek God’s face continually. He tasked them to take good care of the building and exhibit a high-maintenance culture so that the building would last. 

The Atsiaklorbor Assembly began at Egblorgbekorpe in 1993 after the then District Minister for Dzodze, Pastor Stephen Teye, now on retirement, organised a two-day rally there. The church started with 12 souls won during the rally. The church faced numerous challenges and persecutions from the traditional priests who felt threatened that the establishment of the church would derail their traditional worship at that time. 

During the tenure of Pastor Alfred Agbetsiafa (the then District Minister for Dzodze), the assembly was moved from Egblorgbekorpe to Atsiaklorbor. Even though the assembly faced diverse kinds of trials, it was able to withstand the storms through the grace of God.

A temporary place of worship was constructed, and the local assembly became part of the Ehi District.

The members continued to worship in the temporary structure until Pastor Godwin A. K. Adzigbli was transferred to the Ehi District. The dilapidated church building prompted Pastor Adzigbli to seek financial support for a permanent building. 

By the grace of God, PIWC-Graceland, through the instrumentality of Pastor Felix Okyere Anti, the Resident Minister, came to the district’s aid. A sod-cutting ceremony for the church building was done on December 9, 2022, and completed within a year.

Present at the ceremony were Mrs Ophelia Agyen Brefo (Aflao Area Head’s wife), the chiefs and community leaders of Atsiaklorbor and its environs, Mr Albert Wedzi (former Assemblyman for the Area), and members of the church and the community members.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey, Aflao Area Reporter.

Pentecost University has held its 15th graduation ceremony for all students of its faculties and schools.

This came off on Saturday, December 16, 2023, on the University’s main campus in Sowutuom.

In all, 1,153 students graduated with various degrees at masters, undergraduate, professional and certificate levels.

Speaking at the congregation, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kouda congratulated the fresh graduates on their new milestones.

He challenged them to use their new skills and qualifications acquired at Pentecost University to transform society.

The VC also used the opportunity to highlight notable achievements and the impact of the University in the community in the years 2023.

He mentioned two significant grants won, expansion to the Pentecost University, Agape Campus in University and support offered to the PU campuses in South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire.

He also mentioned that the University hosted the 2023 Global STEM and Computing Education Summit and consulted for the Global Forum on Digital Manufacturing held in South Africa and the African Union and the Ministry of Education sponsored Conference on Mathematics, Science and Technology, COMSTADA 2023.

In a commitment to enhancing infrastructure, Pentecost University invested nearly GH₵‎3 million in 2023. Prof. Agyapong-Kodua shared that a significant portion of this investment, “GH₵‎ 2.61 million, went into the ongoing lecture block project, with the ground and first floors almost ready for use.”

Looking ahead to 2024, the Vice-Chancellor outlined the University’s plans to concentrate on infrastructure, collaborate with the municipality to address drainage issues on campus, and maintain a leadership position in spirit-inspired, research-driven education.

On his part, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost who doubles as the Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, commended the University for playing a pivotal role in the Vision 2023 and challenged it to do more in the new phase.

The Chairman described Pentecost University as a unique mission field and reiterated the commitment of the church to its growth and influence in the coming years.

Speaking further, Apostle Nyamekye said the The Church of Pentecost Chairman Education Foundation (COPCEF) will continue to be a resource pool to disadvantaged individuals to access quality tertiary education at Pentecost University.

He also said the Foundation will make strategic investments in improving the physical and digital infrastructure, as well as human resource capacity to make it more competitive globally.

In the distinguished guest speaker’s address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, also commended PU for supporting various initiatives particularly geared towards STEM education in Ghana. He described Pentecost University as “emerging to the finest in the world” and challenged the graduates to think global.

On developments in the tertiary education space, the Honourable Minister said the government is keen on increasing the gross tertiary enrollment from the current 20% to 50% by the year 2023. He said this increase shall also translate to proportions of enrollment in STEM intensive disciplines. In so doing, Honourable Dr. Adtuwuom pledged the commitment of the government to support Pentecost University and other institutions to expand their capacity to enrol more students in the coming year.

The 2023 congregation was attended by scores of people from academia, the church and industry.

Report by Pentecost University Media Team

A Lecturer at the Pentecost School of Theology and Missions (PSTM), Apostle Johnny Lartey Peprah, has advised Christian couples to perceive marriage as a profound avenue for glorifying God.

Speaking at a wedding ceremony on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC) Atomic, on the topic, “Marriage: The Whence, What and Why?”  Apostle Johny Peprah delved into the fundamental facets of marriage, drawing insights from biblical passages, including Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 2:20-25, and Proverbs 18:22.

He structured his sermon around three pivotal questions aimed at unraveling the essence of marriage. First, he explored the ‘whence’ of marriage, delving into the origin and manufacturer of this sacred institution, underscoring its divine roots as established by God.

Transitioning to the ‘what is marriage? Apostle Peprah defined marriage, according to God’s plan, as a lifelong blood covenant union between one biological male and one biological female. He stressed the absence of room for divorce in the original plan of God and underscored the significance of upholding purity and fidelity before, during and after the covenant of marriage.

The final question, ‘why marry?’ received meticulous attention from Apostle Peprah. He dispelled common misconceptions, asserting that marriage is not to be driven by libidinal desires, self-aggrandizement, security, psychological, financial, or political advantages. Instead, he affirmed that the primary purpose of marriage is to obtain favour from God.

According to him, marriage is from God, about God, and for God,  asserting that aligning with God’s manual and will, leads to divine approval and favour.

He urged Christians to perceive their spouse as God’s gift and treasure, cautioning against choosing an ungodly partner and spotlighting the enduring blessings derived from marrying to glorify God.

He advised prospective couples to intensify prayer and exercise vigilance when selecting a life partner to avoid the pitfalls prevalent in contemporary mate selection. He stressed the importance of maintaining purity and abstaining from pre-marital sexual activities, emphasizing that such practices attract the favour of God inherent in the sanctity of marriage.

Apostle Johny Peprah assured the audience that marrying to glorify God opens the door to both existential trans-generational terrestrial blessings as well as eschatological eternal celestial blessings.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Area Head, Apostle David Amankwaa, and his wife, Mrs. Rosemond Amankwaa, accompanied by 31 ministers and wives, along with some Church officers, presented the items, GH¢ 20,985.00, to the facility on Friday, December 15, 2023.

The donated items included bags of Gari, local rice, maize, millet, groundnut, T. Roll, soap, detergent, toothpaste, toothbrush, bottled water, sachet water, drugs, beans, and a cash donation of GH¢ 1,000.00.

Apostle David Amankwaa informed the officer in charge of the prisons, DSP Oscar Piuyire, that Scripture admonishes Christians to remember those in prisons (Hebrews 13:3), and the five-year strategic vision of The Church of Pentecost mandates Church members to minister to all classes of people, including the marginalised and the destitute.

DSP Oscar Piuyire, in receiving the items, expressed profound gratitude to the Church for the kind gesture shown to them.

He assured the Church that the donations would be used for their intended purpose and would go a long way to alleviate the plight of the inmates.

A gospel message was preached by Pastor Evans Kwesi Bawomiah on the topic, “I Bring You Good News” during their visit.

Reading from Luke 2:8-11 and 1 John 4:14, he explained that Jesus has been born to us, and whoever believes in Him would be saved.

The good news is that there is hope for those who believe in Jesus because God loves them.

Concluding his message, he told the inmates that how they came to the prison is not news anymore, but how they leave.

He encouraged them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and be transformed so that they would leave the prisons transformed.

An altar call by Pastor Michael Peasah saw 49 inmates surrendering their lives to accept Christ, with all of them undergoing water baptism.

Eighteen of the inmates also rededicated their lives to God, while 10 received the Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

A hot lunch was served to all 200 inmates present, and they received it with joy.

One inmate (name undisclosed) on behalf of his brothers expressed their appreciation to the Church for their support and prayer.

He also pleaded with the Church to continue to support them by providing drugs for the infirmary to meet their health needs.

The visit ended after Apostle David Amankwaa had prayed for the officers and the inmates.

Report by Pastor Frank Ofori Attah (Bolga Area Media Committee Chairman).

The Prisons Committee of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Sakumono, paid a visit to the Transformation Assembly of The Church of Pentecost at Nsawam Medium Security Prison on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

The 21-member church delegation that undertook the visit was made up of the Resident Minister, Pastor Solomon Kwasi Kyei, some officers, and members.

According to the Assistant Prison Coordinator for PIWC-Sakumono, Elder Samuel Nkansah-Sakyi, the visit was to fellowship with the inmates, especially with the festive season approaching.

“Christmas is a period of celebration, so we came to celebrate with the inmates and put smiles on their faces,” he said.

The church delegation also donated items worth about GHS 12,000.00 to the inmates.

Receiving the items, Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Nii Armah Ayittey thanked the church for the show of love and asked for more such gestures from civil society and other churches.

The Resident Minister for the facility, Pastor (ASP) Thomas Owusu Brefo, who was also present, revealed that there are about 3,468 inmates in the Nsawam Medium prison.

He also mentioned that there are other denominations in the prison, all supporting the reformation of the inmates.

He thanked the team for the show of love and encouraged other organisations and churches to also come and support the inmates.

The visit coincided with the send-off service in honor of the Presiding Elder of the Assembly, Elder Frank Addo Yeboah, who had been incarcerated for the past 20 years, but presided over the assembly for the last eight years.

It was a joyous and memorable occasion for him and his family, who came in their numbers to witness the programme. The service was officiated by the Nsawam Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Francis Yaw Adu.

Delivering a sermon at the event, Apostle Yaw Adu urged the inmates and all gathered to know their purpose on earth, to try and finish the work assigned to them by God as salt and light of the world.

“May we shine wherever we go and may we carry the image and glory of God everywhere we go,” Apostle Yaw Adu said.

He read from John 4:34; 18:37-38; 1 Peter 5:4 and Luke 2:9, among other scriptures, and admonished all present to give themselves to the work of God as well as not give up on doing good to fellow Christians.

The occasion was also served as an induction service for the new Presiding Elder of the Assembly and his assistant.

Apostle Yaw Adu charged the incoming Presiding Elder and his assistant to continue with the good work of their predecessor.

“Leadership is a spirit; exemplify love, grace, and faith and demonstrate a transformation that has taken place within you,” he said.

Reading from 1 Timothy 3:1-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; 3:1-17, he charged the newly elected leaders of the transformation assembly to be responsible, accommodating, and above all show gratitude to their fellow inmates.

An altar call by Pastor Solomon Kwasi Kyei during the service yielded 15 souls to the glory of God.

Also present at the event was Pastor Percy Opoku Ahwenee Danquah, the Tsopoli District Minister, and Chairman of the Tema Area Prisons Committee.

Report by Yaa Asantewaah Adu Boahene.