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The Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has commended The Church of Pentecost for its continued support to national development, describing the Church as a “steadfast development partner.”

“Indeed, the contribution of The Church of Pentecost to education, healthcare, social welfare and the financial development of Ghana continues to merit the unalloyed gratitude of the Ghanaian people,” the vice president said when he addressed participants at the National Development Conference 2023 (NADEC’23), organised by The Church of Pentecost, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

The conference held under the theme ‘Moral Vision and National Development’ was attended by all major stakeholders in Ghana’s development, including former presidents H.E J.A. Kufuor and H.E. John Mahama; Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin; the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, National Executives of political parties, leaders of religious bodies, civil society organisations and governance experts.

Alluding to the theme for the conference, the Vice President pledged that Government would work assiduously for the “establishment of a free and just society, where entrepreneurship and individual initiative are the sources of wealth creation with a strong social safety net for the marginalised and disadvantaged; and the improvement of the governance architecture to deepen accountability and respect for the rule of law in our body politic.”

He said that the government of Ghana is leveraging digitalisation to shape national discourse and promote behavioural change based on moral principles.

Outlining the positive effects achieved by the ongoing infusion of digitalisation in daily national life, Dr Bawumia said Government had taken a deliberate decision to reduce the human interface, which is usually the arena for corruption, in order to reduce its incidence and cultivate a new approach to national life.

“The behaviour of the people determines the transformation of a nation. This is why, as a government, we have focused on putting in place systems that will reduce the role of the human factor and enhance transparency through the digitalisation of the economy. We have put in place systems that will encourage or compel morally upright behaviour.”

“Through digitalisation, we are compelling behaviour that is morally upright”, he continued, noting that by reducing the human interface, state institutions and their clients have no choice but to do the right things and pay the right fees because “computers don’t understand bribes,” he said

Dr Bawumia cited the major impacts digitalisation has had on efficiency and revenue generation in some key government institutions.

“The DVLA is now a world-class institution, without the need for ‘goro boys’. Now you can apply for a passport online and have it delivered to your house without having to pay a bribe. The port is now paperless, and clearing your goods has become much easier.

“Digitalisation has also had a major impact on revenue generation. Take the Electricity Company of Ghana, for instance. Before digitalisation, the company collected an average of GHS 450 million a month. We noticed that this figure had not changed for some years, despite an increase in customers. Something clearly was not right. So, we introduced digitalisation into their processes and made all payments cashless. Despite initial resistance, the system is working smoothly. And interestingly, the monthly revenue has shot up from GHS 450 million a month to GHS 1.2 billion a month,” he disclosed.

“Before digitalisation, the Passport Office generated an average of GHS 1 million annually. After digitalising the process, including cashless payments, the Office now generates over GHS 60 million a year.

“It is therefore evident that with the infusion of digitalisation, we are creating an environment where corruption cannot thrive due to the reduction and elimination of the human interface,” he noted.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The immediate past Finance and Administration Director (FAD) of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Dr Nicholas Darko, and his wife, Mabel, have retired from the full-time ministry after serving the Church in various capacities for 22 years.

Pastor Dr Darko spent a record 19 years of active ministry at the Church’s General Headquarters as the Finance and Administration Director, making him the longest-served Exchequer of the largest Pentecostal Church in Ghana. 

A glamorous retirement service held in his honour at the Twereboa Central Assembly Auditorium in Dansoman on Sunday, July 30, 2023, was attended by people from all walks of life. Among them were officials from the National Cathedral, including Rev. Dr Joyce Rosalind Aryee (Member, Board of Trustee) and Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah (Executive Director of the National Cathedral). Also in attendance was a high-powered delegation from the Akwamu Traditional Area, led by the Paramount Chief, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III.

Ministers from the Church present included the Dansoman Area Head, Apostle Daniel Kodjoe Sey, who officiated the service; Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director of The Church of Pentecost), Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (National Co-ordinator of the Home and Urban Missions), Apostle Daniel K. Dekpor (Asankrangwa Area Head), Deaconess Vivian Amfo (Deputy Director of the Women’s Ministry), Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd) – a former General Secretary of the Church, among other serving and retired ministers of the Church.

Profile of Pastor Dr Nicholas Darko

Born 65 years ago at Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Pastor Dr Nicholas Darko, who hails from Akwamufie, also in the Eastern Region, had his secondary education at the New Juaben Secondary Commercial School (now New Juaben Senior High School) at Koforidua, where he obtained the General Certificate of Education Ordinary and Advanced Levels (GCE – ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels) in 1979 and 1981, respectively.

He is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the ACCA and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana (ICA). He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma and a Master’s Degree in Organisational Development (OD) from the University of Cape Coast. He is a Registered Organisation Development Consultant (RODC) with the International Society of Organisation Development and Change (ISODC).

He was among the five people selected from some developing countries sponsored by Global Peers and the International Organisation Development Association (IODA) to participate in capacity-building training in Organisation Development in Austria in 2012. He also received training in Group Dynamics at the University of Graz’s Centre for Social Competence in Austria. At the ISODC International Conference held in Ghana in 2013, he received an Award of Excellence for being an Outstanding OD Student and for Exceptional Performance, Willingness to Learn, Share, and an Exemplary Disposition to OD Values. 

While in ministry, he obtained a Bachelor of Theology (Hons) with distinction and a PhD in Practical Theology at the South African Theological Seminary (SATS). He is affiliated with professional bodies in Accountancy, Theology and Organisation Development.

While working as Head of the Audit Department at the Headquarters of the Church, he was called and ordained a pastor and stationed at the Headquarters as Finance and Administration Director (FAD) in 2001. He served under three General Secretaries: Apostles Albert Amoah (now retired), Dr Alfred Koduah (now retired) and Alexander Kumi-Larbi. He also served in the administration of three Chairmen: Apostles Dr Michael Kwabena Ntumy, Prof. Opoku Onyinah (now retired) and Eric Nyamekye. In 2020, he was transferred from the Head Office to Twereboa District in the Dansoman Area after serving as FAD for 19 years.

Sermon

Speaking at the service on the topic, “The Unslumbering God is your Keeper” based on Psalm 121:3-4, the Dansoman Area Head, Apostle Daniel Sey, stressed the need for believers to rely on the God Almighty because He does not slumber and fails not. According to him, God can keep and protect all who trust Him.

Testimonies 

Various testimonies read lauded Pastor Dr Nicholas Darko and his wife, Mabel, for their dedicated and selfless services and life of integrity and simplicity.

The General Council’s testimony read by his successor, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, revealed that Pastor Dr Darko, during his tenure as FAD, utilised his extensive professional experience as an Accountant and Administrator to institute a robust financial and management system for the Church. He worked closely with the leadership of the Church to introduce monetary policies that have helped to ensure the prudent management of the Church’s resources, earning The Church of Pentecost a well-deserved reputation as an organisation with strong financial and administrative structures.  

“Equally deserving of honour is Mrs Mabel Darko, his virtuous wife. She is a woman of great cheer and love who supports her husband’s ministry with unwavering dedication,” the General Council noted. 

It added: “Her sound Bible teachings, hospitality, excellent communication skills, and respect for others have been instrumental in their successful ministerial journey. Her contribution to the Women’s Ministry at the national level and other boards and committees has been phenomenal.”

PENTECOST NEWS.

After 23 years of dedicated service, Pastor Opuni Boateng, the New Awoshie District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, along with his wife, Agnes, has retired from active ministerial service.

A retirement service was held today at the Mt. Olivet Assembly church auditorium at Awoshie in Accra to honour the retired minister, affectionately called “Omanhene” (Paramount Chief) due to his deep knowledge in cultural and chieftaincy matters.

The event saw the presence of many dignitaries, with the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, officiating the ceremony.

Other esteemed ministers, including Apostle Isaac Tetteh Juddah (Odorkor Area Head), Apostle Patrick Aseyoro (Immediate-past Area Head and now Suhum Area Head), Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman (Teshie-Nungua Area Head), and Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe(Head of Department, Pentecost School of Theology and Mission), were also present to mark this significant occasion.

Until his retirement, Pastor Opuni Boateng served as the Odorkor Area Chieftaincy Ministry Committee Chairman, which led to some traditional leaders in the Area gracing the event in their regalia; thus, adding a touch of cultural significance to the event.

Throughout their ministerial journey, Pastor Opuni Boateng and his dear wife served at various stations, including Nandom, Oyarifa, Kade Kubease, Mamprobi, and finally, New Awoshie, leaving a lasting impact in each place.

The General Council of The Church of Pentecost, in a testimony read by Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, expressed gratitude for the couple’s meritorious service, acknowledging Pastor Opuni Boateng’s adherence to the Church’s policies and directives.

“Throughout his ministry, [Pastor Opuni Boateng] cultivated the habit of pleasing God and fulfilling his ministry,” the testimony read.

Mrs. Agnes Opuni Boateng, a retired nurse, was commended for her unwavering support to her husband, especially in very challenging times of the ministry life.

The Council also wished the couple a peaceful rest from active pastoral ministry.

During the service, the couple was honoured with a Certificate of Service from the Church, along with citations from the Awoshie District Presbytery and the Women’s Ministry of the District. Pastor Opuni Boateng was also presented a retired minister’s licence of The Church of Pentecost by the General Secretary.

Using 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 as his main scripture reference, Apostle Isaac Tetteh Juddah delivered a sermon at the event on the topic: “My Grace is Sufficient for You.”

In his sermon, the Odorkor Area Head emphasised that God’s grace provides for every need of the believer.

He highlighted different kinds of God’s grace in the Bible and encouraged believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, finding comfort in His sufficient grace during life’s challenges.

Apostle Juddah drew lessons from Apostle Paul’s experiences, saying:. “We learn from Paul’s case that the spiritual is far more important to the dedicated believer than the physical; God knows how to balance burdens and blessings, suffering and glory; not all sickness is caused by sin; there is something worse than sickness, and the worse of sickness is pride; physical affliction is not an excuse for the believer, and finally we can always rest in God’s word.”

Ending his message, the Odorkor Area Head assured the retired couple that just as God’s grace guided them through their ministerial journey, same grace would continue to be sufficient in their retirement.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Apostle Samuel Appiah Goes Home “The Church of Pentecost has lost a gallant soldier. Even though we wished he was around to break more ground and open missions for the Church, he won 18 nations for the Lord and the Church. It is not about the number of years you live on earth but the works that follow when you are dead and gone.”

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, shared these heartfelt words as countless individuals mourned the passing of the late Apostle Samuel Appiah.

He had served as the former United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Head of The Church of Pentecost and the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) Coordinator for the UAE, Middle East, and Gulf Region Bloc of the Church.

The memorial service took place at the West African Senior High School (WASS) School Park, Adenta in Accra on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

Delivering a brief sermon on the theme, “Our appointment with Death,” the Haatso Area Head of the Church, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, underscored that death is an irreversible and inevitable part of human life.

He explained that due to the inevitability of death, everyone should prepare for it, saying, “Because of its nature, man does not consider it as part of plans.”

The former International Missions Director (IMD) of the Church stressed the need to keep the memories of the dead alive.

Samuel Appiah was born on 18th July 1960 at Prestea in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana. His father was Rev. Joseph Kojo Appiah of The Church of Pentecost, and his mother – Mrs Ruth Ekua Nyarko Appiah, both parents are of blessed memory.

As a serial church planter who conquered many grounds and nations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Middle East, and the Gulf Region and in Africa, Apostle Appiah served at Airport District in Cote d’Ivoire (1993-1995), Beposo Dunkwa in Sekondi Area (1995-2001), Dodowa in Madina Area (2001-2005), Adenta in Haatso Area (2005-2010), Abrepo in Bompata Area (2010-2012), Mauritius (2012-2013), and UAE (2013–2023) within his 30-year ministry.

The late former Dubai National Head left behind a widow, Mrs Salomey Adwoa Owusua Appiah, eight children, three adopted, and others.

In a tribute read by the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on behalf of the General Council, Apostle Appiah was described as “fearless and courageous” as he set out on an ambitious quest to establish a branch of The Church of Pentecost in an Arab nation.

“His generosity and heart of giving endeared him to many and boosted the growth of the church in the places he served in his ministerial life. As a missionary, he was wise and witty, having mastered the skill of knowing what to say and how to say it, which helped him anytime he was met with serious opposition,” he stated.

The widow said her husband was a hardworking man who took his ministry seriously and ensured the timely delivery of all his ministerial assignments.

She added that her late husband was passionate about his family and ensured they lacked nothing, adding, “He always wanted the best for his children and never compromised on their education.”

The endearing tribute from his children read: “Daddy gave us all the opportunities in this world that any caring and loving father would give to his children. He was the reason some of us got the opportunity to advance our careers.”

The Church in the United Arab Emirates emphasised that the late Apostle Appiah was a father, a counsellor, and an encourager who kept his head in all situations, endured hardship, did the work of an evangelist, and discharged all the duties of his ministry.

“His selflessness towards God’s work encouraged us not to forsake the gathering of the saints, which helped us to stand firm in all the difficulties and challenges we go through in the UAE,” it stressed.

The Church of Pentecost has lost a son, a missionary, an evangelist, a Church planter, and a disciple-maker. We take consolation in the fact that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

May his soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.

PENTECOST NEWS

The two-day National Development Conference 2023 on “Moral Vision and National Development” has ended with a unanimous call by participants for a National Moral and Integrity Council akin to the National Peace Council to be instituted to develop a Moral Vision Plan to inform Ghana’s development agenda for the next generation.

The Council, when established, will lead the restoration of generations of decay and moral decadence that Ghana has experienced over the years.

The Conference also recommended the setting up of a multi-faceted electoral team facilitated by Faith-Based Organisations to continuously engage with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to see to fruition the National Moral Vision Plan.  

These calls were contained in a communique issued at the end of the conference, which brought together over 2000 stakeholders drawn from a broad spectrum of Ghanaian society (religious groups, traditional authorities, political parties, media, professional bodies, Civil Society Organisations, the Clergy among others) at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa.

Delivering his closing remarks, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, expressed his belief that the conference’s outcome will be a watershed for moral, ethical and sound re-awakening for Ghanaians and Africa.

The participants of the conference concluded that the nation’s moral fibre had dipped very fast, and the voice of non-political actors, including the religious organisation, had not been audible enough. It further noted the urgent need for leaders with a moral conscience to carry the leadership mandate in an honest manner in all spheres of Ghanaian society.

The conference, which saw participants breaking into plenary sessions to discuss various thematic areas, had the Vice President, Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia, delivering the keynote address.

Also in attendance to deliver fraternal greetings was the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. A.S.K. Bagbin, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama and President of the Ghana Journalist Association, Mr. Albert K. Dwumfuor among other distinguished guests.

Speakers at the conference presented papers on thought-provoking and insightful topics on the gross decline of the moral fibre of society and its consequences for future generations.

They also proffered significant solutions and recommendations on the issues they raised. The Voice of Pentecost were in attendance and interspersed the deliveries with renditions of national and patriotic songs of Ghana.

Find below a copy of the communique.

Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, has emphasised the significant role of religion in upholding moral uprightness for national development.

According to the respected religious scholar, religion and morality are inseparably intertwined, with religious norms shaping and governing behaviour to achieve moral goals.

Presenting a paper on the topic, “Religion, Morality and National Development,” yesterday at the maiden National Development Conference held at Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Sheikh Shaibu highlighted that the choice of the vision of the conference could not have been done at a better time.

He expressed concern about the moral heritage that the current generation of Ghanaians aims to pass on to future generations.

Defining morality as a system society uses to determine right from wrong, he noted that it involves a code of conduct that guides individuals to engage in behaviours deemed good and encouraged while discouraging harmful actions (moral vices).

Morality, at its core, he explained, pertains to the purity of thoughts that influence actions and their consequences on both individuals’ and society’s welfare.

The scholar elaborated on the observable characteristics of religion within communities, such as beliefs, places of worship, rituals, sacred symbols, holy texts, moral quotes, prayers, invocations, feasts, and festivals.

He noted that religion manifests in two forms: the belief and faith aspect, which is the core, and the other elements that form the expression of religion.

However, Sheikh Shaibu lamented that Ghana sometimes focuses too much on the external aspects of religion, neglecting its core essence, leading to a disconnection between faith and practice.

He pointed out that despite the dominance of religion, morality is on a steady decline in Ghanaian society, posing a challenge to address moral decadence.

“Throughout history, religion has provided moral quotes that form the basis of modern society’s laws, encouraging righteousness and social harmony,” he said.

He stressed that religion without morality is devoid of substance and unproductive, underscoring the need to uphold and honour morality as it uplifts and supports society, transforming individuals into agents of lasting and enduring development and moral integrity.

Regarding the relationship between religion and development, Sheikh Shaibu emphasised that the key to meaningful and sustainable development lies in the moral progress and happiness of the citizenry.

“Moral development is essential for national development, as a morally undeveloped and apathetic citizenry hinders the country’s progress,” he admonished.

Concluding his presentation, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu urged society to recognise the indispensable role of religion in fostering moral uprightness, promoting ethical reflection, and guiding individuals toward meaningful development.

PENTECOST NEWS.