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A farewell by Ambassador Lartey
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Ambassador
On 2 March 2024, Her Excellency Mrs Jennifer Lartey, Ghana’s Ambassador to Norway with concurrent accreditation to Finland and Iceland, delivered a speech to say farewell to Ghanaian migrants in Finland at the end of her term.
The speech, very touching and apt, was delivered to members of the Ghanaian migrant community at a farewell event in Helsinki that was organised by the Ghana Union Finland, an association that represents Ghanaian migrants in Finland.
Below is an abridged version of the speech:
“It has already been five years since another chapter of my life, and a new journey of national purpose began, when, in March 2019, I presented my credentials to His Royal Majesty King Harald V, as the first Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Kingdom of Norway.
As well, I presented my credentials to the President of Finland, H.E. Sauli Niinisto, and the President of Iceland, H.E. Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, as Ghana’s Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Iceland, respectively.
At the establishment of the Embassy, a core mandate that was given to us by the Government of Ghana was to protect and advance the interest of Ghana, and Ghanaians in the afore-mentioned countries of accreditation.
As I set off on this journey, I did not know what exactly to expect, though I had heard, beforehand, a lot of good things about Ghanaians in Norway, Finland and Iceland. Upon arrival and assumption of Office, you confirmed to me through interaction and working together, the good impression you had already left on other quarters.
Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of working for, and with you to represent and project our dear nation Ghana. The success of the journey would not have been possible without your cooperation and goodwill. I will stress, without equivocation that we have worked well together, and that those wonderful memories that have been created along the way are ones that I will always hold dear.
When I have departed my current position, it is my hope that I will continue to hear of your good works for your communities, and for Mother Ghana. That you will continue to positively portray our culture, put your best foot forward in representing us as a people, and strive to deepen your ties with Mother Ghana.
I cannot overstate how important it is to keep our dear nation Ghana close to our hearts, and remain cognisant that our kinfolk have interwoven their hopes and aspirations with our industry, diligence and hard work.
I will urge us all to put our shoulders to the wheel that will drive the transformational development of our country. It behoves us, brothers and sisters, to come together and create the utopia that we envisage for Ghana.
While we are on our sojourn in Finland, and we continue to shine bright as Ghanaians in this adopted home, let us not depart from being the exemplary individuals and groups that we have demonstrated to be over the years. I am confident that we will continue to be gentle and forgiving to one another, and be each other’s rock.
Also while in Finland, I acknowledge that we are at a crossroads of cultures, with ones that are new to us, going against the grain of ones that we have lived for many years. Let us, in that regard, endeavour to be accommodating of these new cultures, and live in harmony with our neighbours who may not have had the exposure, hitherto, to our cultures. The onus, brothers and sisters, is on us to engage them, and teach them about our beautiful cultures, and the significance that they hold for us, as Ghanaians.
As some of us may also be aware, there are, at times, blurred lines between what is a cultural norm for us, and what is legally permissible in our adopted countries. In this regard, let us make every effort to be abreast with the laws of Finland, in order that we do not fall foul thereof. As the Good Book says “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
The Good Book also says that, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Hence, another chapter of my life is drawing to a close, and I must reiterate that my time here as Ambassador has been truly enriching, and I feel fulfilled.
When we set out to purvey to our countrymen in Finland, little did I know that I will find such a wonderful family here. I have faith that our story will not end here, and that, we will continue to nurture our kinship with kindness, and in the spirit of goodwill.
You, my dear brothers and sisters, have truly been a blessing to my life. May God bless our Homeland Ghana, and may God bless us all.”
The columnist lives in Finland
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
On Sunday, August 13, 2026, the Church of Pentecost (COP) International, Finland, held an impressive church service in Helsinki in honour of and to welcome Prophet Benjamin Arthur as the new National Head.
The well-attended service formally ushered in Prophet Arthur who takes over from Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, who has been the National Head since November 2020 and whose tenure as the National Head ended last month.
Prophet Arthur arrived in Finland from the UK where he has held many positions in the church to replace Apostle Owusu Kwaah who moves back to the UK.
A touching welcome and powerful ministration
The church service was officiated by Apostle Seth Samuel Asante, the National Head of the Church of Pentecost, USA.
It was a touching welcome church service and ministration at a well-attended event. In attendance were many religious leaders from other churches or missions, as well as dignitaries.
Apostle Asante had the honour to introduce Prophet Arthur to the whole congregation as the new National Head in Finland. He was joined by other church leaders and officers from UK, USA, and Finland to pray for Prophet Arthur and handed him over to COP Finland as their new National Head to a huge applause.
Earlier, Apostle Asante delivered a powerful and touching sermon that highlighted a message of salvation and the importance of knowing, loving and serving God with one’s whole heart. He entreated the audience to love God and do His work to glorify his name.
Stirring up understandings from the hymns: “My faith has found a resting place…” and “Guide me O Thou great Jehovah…,” as well as a number of quotations from the Bible, the Apostle gave a powerful preaching on the need to build one’s faith in God.
Response from the new National Head
In response, Prophet Benjamin Arthur preached the power of prophecies and God’s plan for redemption. He entreated all to believe in God’s power especially through prophecies to save mankind. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, he noted and add: “The blood of Jesus is not shed in vain”.
Surrounded by his beloved wife, Mrs Eugenia Arthur, and their three children, Prophet Arthur expressed gratitude to the members of the church for the resounding welcome they have accorded him as he starts to embark on his role and duty as the National Head.
He recognised the exploits and excellent leadership roles of his predecessors, Apostle Edmund Appiah (who was the first National Head) and Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah.
COP’s future and growth in Finland
The Church of Pentecost in Finland was established over 25 years ago. It started in September 2000 as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfinland.fi).
The group grew fast and there was the need to secure a new place of worship in the Helsinki area. The Church has grown and spread to other towns and cities in Finland.
Today, in Helsinki alone there are two branches of the Church. There is the Akan Assembly where worship is done mostly in the Twi language. The other branch is the English Assembly (or the PIWC) which is attended by other nationalities and African immigrants aside Ghanaian immigrants.
The COP Finland has become very formidable in the religious space in the Ghanaian community in Finland.
It has thus played a prominent role in the religious or spiritual existence of its members, as well as in people’s social lives as a key aspect of integration into the Finnish society.
The church continues to grow and, for example, it has been one of the major channels through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for Ghanaian immigrants in Finland, has made more contacts with members of the Ghanaian immigrant community.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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Features
Responding to religious insults with faith, wisdom and restraint …The Prophetic Model for Muslim–Christian Peace and Coexistence(Part 1)
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds.
May His Peace and Blessings be Upon the Noble Prophet Mohammed, his household, companions and all righteous people till the Last Day. Ameen
GHANA, WE MUST NOT ALLOW A MOMENT OF ANGER TO DESTROY DECADES OF PEACE
My dear brothers and sisters in Ghana.
Today I speak about something that should concern every Muslim, every Christian and every responsible Ghanaian.
Recent events involving controversial statements about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the arrest of an Islamic cleric accused of making statements advocating violence, and the arrest of a Christian preacher over alleged derogatory comments concerning the Prophet (pbuh) have generated considerable national concern. The Ghana Police Service has said the matters are under investigation and that due process will apply.
And now, reports of an alleged assault on a detained pastor have added another troubling dimension to the matter.
Let us be very clear:
Ghana is not at war.
Muslims are not at war with Christians.
2 | P a g e
Christians are not at war with Muslims.
For generations, we have lived together, traded together, worked together, attended the same schools, built communities together and, in many Ghanaian families, even married across religious lines.
Therefore, we must not allow the reckless words or actions of a few individuals to destroy the peace built by generations.
WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET (PBUH), WHAT DOES ISLAM EXPECT
FROM ME?
This is the question we must answer.
Not: “How angry am I?”
But: “What does Allah require from me?”
Not: “What can I do to my enemy?”
But: “What did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) do when his enemies hurt him?”
This distinction is crucial.
Islam does not teach us to abandon our faith when we are provoked.
Islam teaches us how to behave because we have faith.
Allah says:
“Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8).
Notice the greatness of Islam.
Allah does not say, “Be just when people respect you.”
He says, be just even when you hate what they have done.
Therefore: An insult does not give me permission to become unjust.
The author is the Chief Imam of Katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
