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6-day Presidents’ Leadership Retreat by SGUC ends
The Southern Ghana Union Conference (SGUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has held a six-day Presidents’ Leadership Retreat conference of presidents under its jurisdiction.
Held from May 18-23 at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua, the retreat was themed: ‘Enhancing the Quality of Church Leaders.’
It brought together church leaders to engage in training, dialogue, and strategic planning.
In his opening remarks, the President of SGUC, Pr. Dr Thomas Techie Ocran, stated that the retreat aimed to equip leaders to handle pressing challenges while fostering unity and foresight in their leadership roles.
He said that the event served as a platform for sharing experiences, gaining insight, and improving leadership capabilities.
As the church prepares for its upcoming elections, Pr. Dr Ocran encouraged leaders to remain united and focused on their mission of preparing God’s people for Christ’s second coming.
He stressed the importance of mutual support among leaders, regardless of election outcomes, reminding them that leadership was a divine appointment.
He urged the pastors not to be emotionally distressed if they are not elected, but to continue serving faithfully.
Also addressing the participants was the President of the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) of the SDA Church, Pr. Dr Osei Bonsu, who challenged ministers to pursue personal growth and deeper understanding to effectively meet the spiritual and practical needs of their members.
He warned that errors made by gospel ministers could have far-reaching and eternal consequences.
The retreat featured a lineup of distinguished facilitators and speakers, including:
Prof. Opoku Boateng, former Vice President of the West-Central Africa Division,
Chaplain P.O. Mensah, former President of the SDA Church, Dr Pascal Brenya, Human Resource Expert and Consultant, Dr Mrs Stella Agyenim Boateng, Public Services Commission, Pr. Nana Kofi Nimako, Col. P.N.K. Duodu, and Pr. Mark Hado, Directors at SGUC and Prof. Vincent Mensah, Principal of the SDA College of Education.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
