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‘Be concerned about spiritual foundation of children’
EXCESSIVE academic pressure coupled with weak spiritual formation is gradually eroding the moral foundations of the current generation of children, Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, President of the Ghana Blue Cross, has warned.
According to him, the spiritual vulnerability of these children in the contemporary society was something parents and society must be concerned about.
Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko made the remark at the launch of the 120th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Blue Cross at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Emmanuel Congregation, Aburi, in the Akuapem Presbytery.
Blue Cross Ghana, founded in 1906 and affiliated with the International Blue Cross, is a faith-based NGO under the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and focused on preventing alcohol and substance abuse.
It provides advocacy, counselling, rehabilitation, and self-help group services to promote dignified, drug-free lifestyles, particularly for youth.
The anniversary launch, held at the historic Aburi mission enclave in the Eastern Region, also marked 120 years since the birth of the Blue Cross movement in Ghana.
According to Rev. Nyarko, the present generation of children were burdened and overstretched with academic demands and are spiritually neglected.
“Today’s children have a lot of problems. They are overburdened with academic assignments and left with little spiritual engagement; this is gradually destroying them,” he indicated.
That vulnerability, he emphasised, could lead such children to other social vices that endanger their lives and put their future in doubt.
Consequently, Rev. Nyarko cautioned the youth against substance abuse, declaring that, “Do not let drugs and alcohol waste your life.”
He noted that addiction was not merely a social issue but a spiritual crisis requiring collective compassion and intervention.
Drawing from 2 Timothy 1:3–8, he urged believers to uphold sincere faith and spiritual courage, emphasising that victims of drugs and alcohol need care, not condemnation.
Rev. Nyarko called on parents and the Church to intentionally pass on the moral and spiritual heritage of the Presbyterian tradition to younger generations. Quoting Job 14:14, he appealed to members to live with eternal consciousness and renewed commitment to mission.
He also urged “all meaningful members of the Presbyterian Church and Christians alike” to carry the perishing at heart and actively participate in rescue efforts through evangelism, mentoring, and structured Christian fellowship.
He invited the adult generation to rise to the challenge of confronting social decay by supporting the Blue Cross movement through prayer, availability, and financial commitment.
“Sow your seed to make the work of the Blue Cross a lasting legacy for the Church and the Ghanaian community,” he stated.
120 years of moral reform
The Blue Cross movement in Ghana traces its roots to Aburi, approximately 120 years ago during a period of intense missionary and revival influence within the Presbyterian tradition.
Established as a Christian temperance movement, Blue Cross emerged in response to rising concerns about alcohol abuse and moral decline.
Its foundation combined biblical teaching, moral discipline, public pledges of abstinence, and structured fellowship.
Grounded in texts such as 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Ephesians 5:18, and Romans 12:1, the movement framed abstinence not merely as social reform but as theological obedience — presenting the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and a living sacrifice unto God.
From Aburi, the movement spread across Presbyterian congregations nationwide, shaping generations of youth through pledge, prayer, and practice.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Blue Cross, Rev. Patrick Adjei Acheampong, in his brief address, recounted the milestones achieved over the past century.
He highlighted the movement’s role in youth mentorship, addiction prevention advocacy, moral formation programmes, and community engagement initiatives across Ghana.
Rev. Acheampong expressed gratitude to past leaders who, in his words, “held the fort and passed it on faithfully to this generation.”
He noted that the anniversary celebration was not merely ceremonial but a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the founding vision birthed in Aburi more than a century ago.
Beyond celebration
As the Ghana Blue Cross marks 120 years of existence, the message from the Presbyterian Church leadership is clear: the challenge of moral discipline, youth formation, and substance abuse remains urgent.
The anniversary launch was, therefore, framed not as nostalgia but as a renewed covenant to protect children, restore the addicted, strengthen families, and anchor the Church once again in disciplined, Spirit-filled living.
The anniversary Planning Committee Chairperson, Rev. Daniel Ofori Appiah, has appeal to all and sundry to support and make the celebration a memorable one.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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AS Ghana celebrates its 69th Independence Day, the country reflects on the vision of its first President, Kwame Nkrumah. Beyond political freedom, Nkrumah dreamed of building a modern, self-reliant nation.
He launched ambitious projects aimed at industrialisation, job creation, and to position Ghana as a leader in Africa.
Many of these projects were interrupted or abandoned after the 1966 coup that removed him from power. Today, these projects remain reminders of bold ambitions and opportunities for revival.
1. The Black Star Line
One of Nkrumah’s earliest initiatives was the Black Star Line, Ghana’s first national shipping company. Established in 1957, it aimed to boost trade and reduce dependence on foreign vessels. Nkrumah envisioned a fleet of Ghanaian ships transporting goods across Africa and beyond.
The project, however, suffered from poor management, financial challenges, and political instability. After the 1966 coup, the Black Star Line collapsed, leaving a gap in Ghana’s maritime sector. Today, the country still relies heavily on foreign shipping, showing how Nkrumah’s foresight was ahead of its time.
2. Railway expansion
Perhaps Nkrumah’s most enduring domestic dream was a nationwide railway network. He wanted lines connecting northern and southern Ghana, linking agricultural zones to factories, and connecting mines to ports. Railways were to be the backbone of industrialisation, enabling efficient transport of goods and people.
Much of this vision remains unrealised. Expansion stalled after 1966, and the network has suffered decades of neglect.
- Juapong textile factory
- Tomato and fruit processing plants: Designed to add value to agricultural produce, but operations collapsed due to inconsistent supply and lack of technical expertise.
Modernisation efforts by successive governments, including the construction of the Tema–Mpakadan line and rehabilitation of parts of the Western Line, have only partially restored his vision. A fully integrated railway system, particularly linking northern regions, remains a work in progress.
3. Accra–Tema Industrial corridor
The Accra–Tema Motorway, constructed in the early 1960s, was intended to anchor an industrial corridor connecting factories, ports, and residential areas.
The motorway itself was completed and remains a key route, but many industrial zones along the corridor were never built, limiting the economic impact of the project.
4. Defunct factories and industrial ambitions
Through the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC), Nkrumah established numerous state-owned factories to reduce imports, create jobs, and industrialise the country. Many of these factories, however, became defunct due to poor management, political changes, and economic challenges.
Some notable examples include:
- Textile factories: Aimed at making Ghana self-reliant in clothing production, but most shut down after Nkrumah’s overthrow.
- Brick, tile, and cement factories: Intended to supply building materials for rapid urbanisation; many closed or underperformed.
- Sugar and meat processing plants: Built to supply local demand and reduce imports, yet most never reached full capacity.
These defunct factories are a testament to the challenges of maintaining large-scale industrial projects in a changing political and economic environment. They also illustrate the potential that existed to make Ghana self-sufficient in manufacturing.
Meridian Hotel
The Meridian Hotel in Tema. Built in 1960 by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. One of the most sought-after hotels at the time, it was a popular location for dignitaries and tourists. The iconic hotel was so popular it inspired the famous Wulomei song Meridian.
Sadly, it has been abandoned for over two decades after it was closed down in the late 1990s. Meanwhile, residents in the area have called on the government to demolish the building if there are no plans to revamp it.
Lessons and way forward
These abandoned projects and defunct factories are not just stories of failure. They highlight Nkrumah’s bold vision and the importance of continuity in national development. Independence brought freedom, but building a self-reliant, industrialised Ghana requires sustained planning, political stability, and investment in infrastructure and human capital.
As Ghana marks its 69th Independence Day, revisiting these projects is both a reflection on history and a call to action. Reviving or modernising parts of these initiatives could strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, and make the country more competitive in the regional and global economy.
Nkrumah’s projects were not merely monuments of ambitions but blueprints for economic sovereignty. As Ghanaians, it is not just enough to remember past events leading to independence but completing and reviving works that began in 1957.
It reminds us that true nation-building—connecting the country, industrialising the economy, and asserting Ghana’s role in Africa—is an ongoing journey.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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