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Celebrating Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen’s life of faith, dedication, selfless service

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Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen

Not many lives tell a story as seamless and inspiring as that of the Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen, a man whose journey from the classroom to the pulpit has been marked by dedication, humility and an unwavering commitment to service.

Born on April 18, 1956 into a deeply rooted Methodist family, his early life was shaped by faith, discipline and service.

Very Rev. Aboagye Orgen and Family

Exactly a week today when he celebrated his 70th anniversary, Very Rev. Aboagye Orgen, reflected on God’s goodness and the strength to work as a vessel of God to impact on the lives of people.

As the son of Rev. Albert Emmanuel Kwamina Orgen and Mrs Hannah Orgen, both of blessed memory, he grew up in an environment where ministry was not just a calling but a way of life.

Moving across communities such as Winneba, Asante Akyim Bompata and Mankessim, young Joshua absorbed values that would later define his path and outlook on life.

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He was not spared the life that children of ministers usually go through regarding their appointments various parts of the globe.

Very Rev. Aboagye Orgen being Assisted by family and loved ones to cut his cake

He began his secondary education at The Gambia High School following his father’s missionary assignment that took him to The Gambia.

Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen1

He returned to Ghana to continue at the Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School in Cape Coast, an experience that broadened his worldview, exposed him to diverse cultures and strengthened his academic foundation in profound ways.

Before answering the call to full-time ministry, Very Rev. Orgen began as a teacher, a role that would quietly shape his pastoral approach for years to come.

Trained at Wesley College, he taught at the Methodist Junior Secondary Schools in Asante Bekwai and Agona Swedru, nurturing young minds and instilling discipline.

Very Rev. Orgen and Collegue Ministers

Those early years in the classroom sharpened his ability to guide, counsel and connect with people, qualities that would later define his pastoral leadership.

But in 1982, his life took a defining turn. He enrolled at Trinity Theological College, answering a higher calling to serve in God’s vineyard.

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By 1985, he had completed his Diploma in Theology, stepping fully into ministry with a heart prepared for service and a mind equipped for leadership. His quest for knowledge did not end there.

He later pursued a first degree at the University of Cape Coast and further advanced his education with a master’s degree from GIMPA, reflecting his belief in continuous growth and learning.

Over the decades, his work in the Methodist Church Ghana has reflected both depth and breadth.

Very Rev. Aboagye Orgen and the wife

Beginning his pastoral journey in Abora Aboase and Akwatia, he steadily rose through the ranks, eventually serving as superintendent minister in several key circuits including Essiama, Dunkwa-on-Offin, New Tafo-Kumasi, Dzorwulu, North Kaneshie, Asamankese, Dansoman South and Dome.

In each of these places, he left a lasting imprint of strong leadership, spiritual renewal and community development.

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What sets Very Rev. Orgen apart is not just the number of places he has served, but the impact he made in each of them. Known for his calm demeanour, but very firm, discipline and deep sense of responsibility, he has consistently nurtured congregations, strengthened church structures and inspired spiritual growth.

His leadership style, often described as both firm and compassionate, has earned him respect across the circuits he has served.

One of the most defining chapters of his ministry was his role in Lay Ministries.

At the Freeman Centre in Kumasi, he dedicated four years to training lay leaders, equipping ordinary church members with the skills, knowledge and confidence to take active roles in ministry.

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This contribution, though often behind the scenes, has had a far-reaching impact on the growth and sustainability of the church.

Beyond his clerical duties, Very Rev. Orgen remains grounded in simple but meaningful pursuits. His interest in farming and building construction reflects a man who values growth, patience and legacy, principles that mirror his approach to ministry.

These passions also reveal his practical side, one that balances spiritual responsibilities with real-world engagement.

He is also known for his love for football, particularly his unwavering support for Manchester United, a detail that adds a relatable and human touch to his otherwise disciplined and structured life.

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Today, the story of Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen is not just about positions held or years served. It is about a life of influence, one that began in the classroom, matured in the pulpit, and continues to inspire through example. His journey reflects resilience, purpose and a deep commitment to service.

As he is honoured and celebrated, one thing stands clear: his life is a testament to the power of faith, dedication and selfless service.

Through decades of ministry, he has touched countless lives, mentored many and contributed significantly to the growth of the Methodist Church Ghana.

Indeed, his legacy is not only in the places he has served but in the lives he has transformed.

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Abu Trica’s extradition case: Prophets, fetish priests demand pay for spiritual solution …Lawyer reveals

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Abu Trica
Abu Trica

Mr Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a lawyer for embattled Frederick Kumi, affectionately called Abu Trica and has made a shocking revelation over the behaviour of some members of the clergy.

According to him in a post on social media, the difficult part of Abu Trica’s trial is not the law but the number of ‘Men of God’ and fetish priests demanding financial sacrifices to help resolve the matter spiritually.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, “The most difficult part about the Abu Trica case; is not the law.”

He continued: “It is the number of, prophetesses, evangelists and fetish priests, who have called or messaged to ask us to pay for spiritual solutions.”

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It would be recalled that in March this year, the Gbese District Court dismissed a preliminary objection filed by Abu Trica, challenging the extradition proceedings initiated at the request of the United States.

The court, presided over by Anna Akosua Appiah Gottfried Anaafi Gyasi, in its ruling held that the offences forming the basis of the extradition, particularly wire fraud, constitute extraditable offences under the 1931 treaty between Ghana and the United States.

He was then given 15 days counting from March 27 to appeal the decision of the court or be surrendered for extradition to the US.

Against this backdrop, he was on Tuesday, April 22, granted a bail in the sum of GH¢30,000,000 by an Accra High, pending the appeal of his extradition 

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Mr Kumi was arrested in Ghana in December 2025 following an indictment by United States authorities, alleging that he played a role in a romance scam network that defrauded elderly American victims of more than $8 million.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1

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Some BECE candidates writing their final exams
Some BECE candidates writing their final exams

Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.

A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.

 This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence. 

As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.

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Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied. 

Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like

Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.

Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it. 

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The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure 

The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part. 

Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety. 

For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm. 

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Resources

– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council. 

– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors.  E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).

– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486 

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