News
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
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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