Tag: Presbyterian Church

  • Former Moderator resigned from Nat’l Cathedral board due to ill-health – Presby Church

    Former Moderator resigned from Nat’l Cathedral board due to ill-health – Presby Church

    The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has said the latest reports about the resignation of the immediate past moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Professor Cephas Omenyo from the National Cathedral Board of Trustees is misleading.

    Speaking to Starr News with Naa Dedei Tettey, the spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church, Rev. George Larbi explained that the former Moderator resigned long ago due to ill-health.

    “When he was elected, per his position as a moderator of the church, he was appointed a trustee of the National Cathedral. So, when he fell sick and could not function again and later on a new moderator was elected. In fact, he refused to be a member of the trustee.

    “So, I remember I drew the attention of the public relations officer of the National Cathedral, that in this case they should take away Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo’s photo. Because, one of our former moderators, in the person of Very Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey already sits on the trustee. So, the current moderator is not even a member of the trustee because we already have Very. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey there,” Mr. Larbi added.

    The North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had claimed that the National Cathedral Secretariat was misleading the Ghanaian public and the world that all the published trustees are registered as directors.

    “Contrary to the information provided in the said press statement (see page 5) and on the Nicodemusly updated national cathedral website (after we exposed the Pastor Otabil deception), to the effect that all the Board of Trustees has been registered as Directors of the National Cathedral of Ghana; we note surprisingly, that the venerable Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Group of Churches and the esteemed Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo, Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church were not registered as directors on the incorporation date of 18th July, 2019.

    “The two revered clergymen have at all material times been clearly left out, and substituted with the following names: Samuel Antwi and Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah.

    After about five months down the line, the founder of the LightHouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills’ reasons for exiting the Board has been revealed.

    In a letter available to Accra-based Citi TV, the seasoned Man of God noted that his unresolved concerns about the cost of the National Cathedral and other pertinent issues triggered his exit.

    But in the case of the former moderator of the Presby church, the leadership of the Presby Church of Ghana responded that all this confusion about Rev. Prof Omenyo and his resignation keeps resurfacing because people are using him to score their cheap political points.

    Nonetheless, spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church, Rev. George Larbi has called on the board of the National Cathedral Secretariat to sit up and clear its name on the number of allegations levelled against them.

    Rev. George Larbi expressed worry about the developments that have characterized the construction of the National Cathedral.

    “I read them, I hear them in the news. If what those who are raising the allegations are saying is true, then I will urge the board to sit up. If what they are saying also is for political gains or some personal gains then they should be careful. And sometimes at least they should go to the right place to seek proper information.

    “If you don’t understand something, approach them, go to them. This is what I have received, this is what I have seen, this is what I have heard, and please what the truth in it is? For people to explain to you rather than everyday counter allegations. After all, whether it is state money, individual’s money, the church’s money, at the end of the day it is money. We have to ensure that whatever money is given to them, they account it judiciously to the people,” Mr. Larbi advised.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • ‘Fasting and prayers alone won’t solve our economic hardship’ – Kumasi residents

    Some residents in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, have kicked against the directions by the leadership of some religious leaders to declare fasting and prayers aimed at reviving Ghana’s ailing economy.

    According to them, “prayers and fastings alone won’t solve our economic hardship, but what Ghana needs is strong, incorruptible leaders with the very strong mentality to formulate and implement good policies to revive the economy.”

    The current economic hardship, which has been widely speculated about by many Ghanaians and admitted by the president, has resulted in many people suggesting solutions on how to propel the country to greater heights.

    Church of Pentecost

    The Church of Pentecost (COP) declared a three-day fast and prayer session for all members starting on November 10, 2022.

    The Church’s Executive Council arrived at the decision in the wake of economic hardship being experienced in the country.

    “It is apparent that the country for some time now has been going through some economic challenges which threaten the peace and security of the nation.

    “The church in times like this has a divine responsibility to intercede for the nation,” he said. Addressing the congregation on Sunday, the Chairman of COP, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, told the members to adhere to the directive.

    Recognizing that the announcement was made on short notice, he urged the gathering to do so in order to invite divine guidance into Ghana’s leadership and put the economy on a better footing.

    He highlighted a biblical reference to buttress his point. ‘So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer’ (Ezra 8:23).

    On the back of this, he indicated that “we should also pray for wisdom for our leaders to find immediate solutions to these challenges.”

    The fasting and prayers are expected to take place from November 10th to November 13th.

    Presbyterian Church of Ghana

    The Presbyterian Church of Ghana also declared a three-day fast and prayer for Ghana’s economy.

    The church noted that most economies around the world are facing economic difficulties, and Ghana is not an exception.

    The church said they remain hopeful that the Lord will step in and put an end to these difficulties.

    “In light of this, the Moderator of the General Assembly, with the support of the General Assembly Council, has declared a three-day fasting and prayer from November 28th to November 30th, 2022, to fervently intercede for the wellbeing of Ghanaians.

    “We encourage all congregations to set aside these days to pray for the nation,” a statement issued by the Church on Thursday, November 10, said.

    But speaking to OTEC News on Friday, November 11, 2022, some said they would not participate in the fasting and prayers for the country because it is a waste of time and energy, adding that “if prayers and fasting were the solutions to Ghana’s problems, we would have been a prosperous nation by now.”

    Instead of fasting and praying all the time, they charged religious leaders to advise their church members on proper ethical behaviour, discipline, and adhering to the responsibilities of the state and the community.

    Another noted that, if praying for the country’s economy was the answer to the problems in the country, the economy would have been fixed already.

    Another citizen said traders increasing the prices of their goods at an unreasonable price also affects the economy, so if they do not refrain from that, the economy will never grow no matter the number of prayers and fasting.

  • Presby minister killed in car crash

    A fatal accident that occurred at Oforikrom on the Techiman-Nkoranza highway in the Bono East Region on Saturday claimed the life of the Tuobodom District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Joseph Foli Ahinakwa.

    Reverend Ahinkwa died on the spot when a pick-up vehicle he was driving was involved in a head-on-collision with a sedan vehicle on Saturday (July 30, 2022).

    He was returning from Nkoranza where he had gone to deliver food to delegates of the Presbytery Catechists’ Conference.

    The Nkoranza District Minister of the PCG, Reverend Wilberforce Takyi confirmed the incident to Graphic Online on Sunday.

    Graphic Online gathered that the late Reverend Ahinakwa, who had worked in the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery of the PCG for sometime now had been transferred to the Ga Presbytery and was waiting for his send-off in early September, 2022. [The Brong-Ahafo Presbytery of the PCG covers parts Ahafo Region, parts of Bono Region, parts of the Bono East Region and parts of the Ashanti Region in Tepa and Pokukrom area].

    He was also an astute banker who worked with the Agricultural Development Bank while also serving as Presbyterian minister before going into full-time ministry.

     Source: Graphic

  • Dozens killed in clashes over land in Cameroon

    At least 30 people including women and children were killed during clashes over land between neighbouring communities in Cameroon’s South-West region, local authorities said on Monday.

    A spokesman for the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon said the fight between the Oliti and Messaga Ekol groups in Akwaya was very violent.

    The church released pictures that showed dead bodies lying on the ground.

    The violence started when attackers stormed a funeral ceremony in the village of Bakinjaw on Saturday and continued on Sunday, according to the communication officer of Akwaya district, Okumo Angwa.

    He added that people were burnt in their homes while others were beheaded in the attack.

    An MP, Aka Martin Tyoga, told the BBC that the attackers promised to return in two days. He said that investigations into the killings would take time as the area was remote.

    Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions, the South-West and North-West, are caught up in a separatist conflict that has already claimed more than 6,000 lives, according to the International Crisis Group.

    On Monday, a Human Rights Watch report said separatist fighters have killed at least seven people, raped one girl, and carried out scores of kidnappings since January. The rights group called for the prosecution and sanctioning of separatists fighters for these and other “grave human rights abuses”.

    Source: BBC