News
Court awards cost against pastor for ‘hijacking’ church
A pastor who unilaterally took over as the President of a church has been slapped with a GH₵15,000.00 cost by the Court of Appeal over a 15-year-old protracted church litigation.
The Court of Appeal in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, was presided by Justice A.M.Domakyaareh (Mrs) with two other, Justices, Alex B. Poku-Acheampong and S. K. A. Asiedu.
Aside the cost, the Court further ordered that Pastor Micaiah Addai, should convene a general meeting with the entire members of the Seventh Day Pentecostal Assemblies in Ghana, within six months from the date of judgement (28 – 04 – 2022) to elect new president to run the affairs of the entity in accordance with the constitution of the church.
In a unanimous judgement read by Justice Domakyaareh (Mrs), the Court took part of an earlier judgement of a Kumasi High Court in consideration to conclude the case.
Also in the court on the judgement daywere the Solicitors of the Appellants and Defendant/Respondent, Lawyer Charles Agbenu and Lawyer Andrew Acquaye and Michael Agyeman Anokye respectively.
Passing judgement, the Court noted that the alleged controversy between the Appellants and Defendant started in 2007 when the Founder and Leader of the church (Seventh Day Pentecostal Assemblies) Elder Enoch Ofori Snr, passed on.
After the death of the founder, Pastor Addai, a relative of the founder, who was then heading one of the church’s branches at Kumasi Tafo, allegedly schemed to impose himself as the President of the church and packed his things to the headquarters of the church at Adiebeba,in Kumasi, to assume office.
Pastor Addai’s conduct was seen as a violation of the constitution of the church that stipulated that elections would be held to elect new president after the death of the sitting president.
In view of that, Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr, together with some of the church members forwarded the case to a High Court, Kumasi, in 2009 to seek justice.
But the Court of Appeal observed that after the judgement, Pastor Addai refused to comply with the High Court ruling, and allegedly caused a handful of members of the church to induct him into office as the National President of the Seventh Day Pentecostal Assemblies, which to the Appellants, blatantly violated the church Constitution.
That was the subject matter that triggered the appeal at the Court of Appeal in Kumasi by Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr and three others against the Respondent, Pastor Addai.
The Court indicated that the establishment of a church was a process governed by law, ought to be registered by law with the Registrar of Companies after fulfilling all the requiste requirements for a certificate of registration to be issued to it as a company limited under guarantee.
But in Pastor Addai’s claim, he was not able to produce any documents or certificate to that effect.
According to the Appeal Court what favoured the Respondent was the fact that he claimed to have been inducted to hold himself as the National President of the church as the High Court took into consideration.
Adding that, the trial judge of the High Court only relied on a part of the Article III (c) of the constitution of the church to say that since induction took place on November 7, 2009, Pastor Addai should head the church.
She said by the interpretation of the constitution of the church the defendant could not use induction to assume the presidency of the church since induction had nothing to do with election, as the two words had different meanings.
“Our overall evaluation of this Appeal shows clearly that the Appellants have substantially made a case, and accordingly the judgement of the High Court in Kumasi is hereby set aside in part”, the Appeal court pointed out.
“And the defendant/Respondent (Micaiah Addai) is ordered to convene a general meeting with all the Constituents of the Seventh Day Pentecostal Assemblies in Ghana within six months from the date of the judgement (28th April, 2022) to elect a new president to run the affairs of the church”, the judgement concluded.
From Kingsley E.Hope,Kumasi
News
Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
