The Nchiraa District of The Church of Pentecost in the Kintampo Area made history on Friday, 14th November 2025, with the successful launch of its maiden COP-STEM Championship, an innovative educational initiative that brought the entire town to a standstill.
The programme, conceived by the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) of the District, was birthed after extensive engagements with key educational stakeholders who identified the urgent need to support teaching and learning, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In response, the COP-STEM Championship was instituted to motivate and equip pupils to excel in STEM subjects, thereby contributing to the long-term transformation of education in Nchiraa. The maiden edition of the event recorded an impressive turnout, bringing together over 900 students and 40 teachers from all public basic schools in the district, making it one of the largest educational gatherings ever held in the town.
The Special Guest of Honour, Elder Barima Acheampong Sarpong II, Chief of Asante Asamang and Deputy Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), delivered an inspiring keynote address in which he urged students, teachers, and parents to see the COP-STEM Championship not merely as a quiz competition but as “a passport to the future.” Elder Sarpong II lauded the initiative as a bold and visionary step by The Church of Pentecost, emphasising that the programme goes beyond the distribution of learning materials to become a transformative movement aimed at elevating the standard of education in the community. He encouraged students not to view their location as a limitation but as a springboard to greater achievements and concluded with three key challenges: to be curious, see problems as opportunities, and use their hands creatively.
Representing the Wenchi Municipal Director of Education, Mrs. Mary Nyarko Adutwum, Municipal PRO of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. David Baffoe, commended The Church of Pentecost for the initiative, noting that STEM education should be embraced as a pathway to innovation, problem-solving, and a brighter future for the young generation. The event also drew the participation of several dignitaries, including personnel from the Ghana Police Service, officials of the Ghana Education Service, the Kintampo Area SOM Leader, and chiefs and queenmothers of the Nchiraa community, reflecting strong collaboration between the Church and local institutions.
The day’s activities were crowned with an interschool sports festival held at the Methodist School Park, which transformed into a vibrant scene of unity, excitement, and youthful energy, engaging the entire community. The programme culminated in a remarkable spiritual harvest, as 370 students surrendered their lives to Christ, marking the COP-STEM Championship not only as an educational milestone but also as a powerful evangelistic breakthrough for the Nchiraa District. This historic event thus combined learning, community engagement, and spiritual revival, positioning the district to continue nurturing both academic excellence and godly transformation.
Report by Elder Solomon Ansu
