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PCG gets new Clerk of North America, Australia Presbytery
• Rev Kumi-Duodu (left) and Prof Mrs Mabel Asante, First Clerk of the Presbytery, both raised
Rev Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh’s hands to introduce him to the congregation.
The North America and Australia Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana witnessed a new wave in their administration on October 30, 2022. They inducted Rev. Dr. Ransford Awuku-Gyampoh into office as the new Clerk of the Presbytery at a colourful ceremony with the Chairperson of Presbytery, Rev. James Joseph Kumi-Duodu, officiating the Service and assisted by the Council members.
It marked Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh’s assumption as the New Jersey District Minister and the local Minister of Ascension Congregation in Orange in the City of New Jersey.
enjoying live music, catered food, and
assorted beverages at the premiere
The ceremony held at the Ascension Congregation was well attended by some Reverend Ministers and dignitaries from Ghana, Canada, USA and representatives from Australia. In a brief statement to induct Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh, the Chairperson of Presbytery, Rev. Kumi-Duodu admonished the inductee to strive to win more souls into God’s Kingdom.
He emphasised that as the Presbytery’s spokesperson, the Presbyterian Church’s growth should be of paramount interest to him.
In his acceptance speech, Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh expressed gratitude to God, the Church leadership and the entire church for their unwavering support. He further declared his readiness to work hard to make the Presbyterian Church a place for all to worship and help to restore hope in the lives of those who have nowhere to turn to for their salvation.
Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh was elected at the 8th Presbytery Session held in Virginia, USA, and won with a 70 per cent vote. As the Clerk of Presbytery, Article 22, Clauses 9, 11-13 of the PCG Constitution stipulate that he shall hold the office for four years. His duties include but are not limited to presenting annual reports, recording and distributing all information/ communicating decisions, carrying out directives, be in charge of all official documents. He shall liaise with political administration and the traditional authorities within Canada, USA and Australia.
Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh holds a PhD in Practical Theology and other terminal degrees in Management. He has two Master’s degrees: MSc from the University of Cape Coast and MPA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon. Before that, he had completed his 3-year Post Secondary at the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong-Akuapem (Formerly P.T.C). Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh wouldn’t forget that he was a product of Nsawam Secondary School.
In a felicitation, the Council Vice President, North Ward, Orange City, Miss Tency A. Eason, who represented the Mayor of Orange, New Jersey, thanked Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh for his vision and aspiration of his new office.
She promised to collaborate with Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampoh to propagate God’s Kingdom in the residents’ homes. The historic service ended with praise to God in a peaceful atmosphere.
From Francis Kwabena Twum, New Jersey, USA
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
