In Ghana’s Chris­tian commu­nity and beyond, Rev. Dr Samuel Kissea­doo has become a household name for his practical teachings on marriage, parenting, and relationships.

For more than five decades, he has served as an Evangelist, Preacher, Writer, Counselor, and Teacher, rais­ing a generation of believers whose lives bear testimony to his influence.

Born in Ghana, Dr Kisseadoo’s min­istry journey began as early as 1969, during his secondary school days.

With a burden to share the gospel, he began preaching in schools, train­ing colleges, fellowships, and church­es across the country.

By the time he left for further studies abroad in 1993, he had already ministered in more than 85 secondary schools, witnessing mass conversions and altar calls.

But as he recalls, his concern soon shifted. “I was getting fed up with too many decisions and few disci­ples,” he said, drawing inspiration from Acts 20:20, which emphasises both public proclamation and person­al connection.

This principle-often referred to as the 20/20 vision of the church-shaped the foundation of his minis­try: bold public teaching, paired with intimate discipleship through person­al touch and attention.

Dr Kisseadoo furthered his stud­ies in the United States, earning his Ph.D. in New York in 1993. While in Holland and later America, he combined academic pursuits with active ministry, teaching and counsel­ing both students and church groups.

In 1994, after years of shaping lives abroad, he returned home to Ghana, where his ministry took on a national dimension.

In 1999, Dr Kisseadoo’s teachings on Joy FM-partic­ularly his frank dis­cussions on marriage, family, and relation­ships— drew national attention. His pro­gramme resonat­ed deeply with listeners, sparking requests for organised teachings and counseling sessions.

Speaking to The Spectator in an Accra, he said this led to the found­ing of Fruitful Ministries Internation­al, which was officially inaugurated on December 30, 2000, with over 400 participants in attendance despite Accra being choked with jubilant crowds celebrating the election of President John Agyekum Kufuor that same day.

He mentioned that Fruitful Minis­tries quickly grew into an interna­tional organisation, with 21 chapters in Ghana and abroad, structured around five objectives: evangelism, discipleship, prayer and empower­ment, leadership development, fami­ly, marriage, and relationships.

Its motto, “Family Excellence,” and its theme verse, John 15:16-“I chose you to go and bear fruit that abides”-reflect its central vision: to nurture strong families that produce lasting impact.

“Today the ministry operates in two major zones- the southern zone with 13 chapters and the northern zone with 12 chapters with 36 plat­forms, ensuring its impact continues to multiply,” he said.

Dr Kisseadoo’s passion for fami­ly life and women’s empowerment is rooted in his upbringing. Losing his father at 12, he was raised by a devoted single mother whose resil­ience left a lasting imprint. “If I had GH¢100 in school, the first thing I would do was buy a gift for my moth­er,” he recalls.

That love and compassion deep­ened during his campus ministry days at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he frequently ministered to female students.

His early experiences convinced him that strengthening women, mothers, and families was vital to building a healthier society. “When God came to save humanity, He went to Mary, not Joseph,” he often says, underscoring women’s unique role in nurturing life.

Through initiatives like the Fruitful Ministries Club at Accra Girls Se­nior High School, hundreds of young women have been trained since 2006 in excellence, character, and prepa­ration for future motherhood and leadership. Graduating students are awarded certificates, affirming their transformation into future pillars of society.

For more than two decades, Dr Kisseadoo has hosted “Hope for Your Family” on Joy 99.7 FM, airing every Saturday morning at 5:30 a.m.

The broadcast has become a life­line for families seeking guidance on marriage, parenting, and personal development.

He is also a prolific author, having published 32 books covering topics from discipleship to marriage and conflict resolution. His articles have appeared in both local and interna­tional publications, extending his reach far beyond the pulpit.

Whether speaking to large crowds, counseling couples, or addressing young people, Dr Kisseadoo’s teach­ings remain practical and down-to-earth.

He tackles sensitive issues like sexuality, financial management in marriage, conflict resolution, and parenting with courage and clarity.

“No matter who you are, every­thing comes back to the home,” he insists. “Your lifestyle at home defines the person you present to the world,” Rev Kisseadoo stated.

He mentioned that despite its growth, Fruitful Ministries faces ongoing challenges. From limited office space to resource constraints, sustaining its operations has not been easy.

According to him, there is also the misconception that, because its founder resides in the United States of America (USA), the ministry was well-funded-a notion far from reality. Recruiting and retaining committed workers has also proven difficult.

But Dr Kisseadoo remains unde­terred. “We don’t just want people to go to heaven, we want them to be useful on earth as well,” he said.

Today, Rev. Dr Samuel Kisseadoo is celebrated not only as a preach­er but also as a mentor, writer, and counselor whose ministry has raised disciples, leaders, and families across Ghana and the diaspora.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

In a field long dominated by men, she has turned her microphone into a tool for change, amplifying women’s voices, promoting gender equality, and challenging deep-rooted stereotypes in sports journalism.

In Ghana’s media landscape, espe­cially in the arena of sports, Salamatu Ahmed stands out. Not just as the host of Iqra Radio’s popular morning show, but as the country’s only female Hausa sports broadcaster.

From humble beginnings in Lagos to an influential voice behind the micro­phone in Accra, her journey is one of boldness, resilience, and purpose.

“I grew up in a close-knit neighbour­hood in Lagos where everyone looked out for each other,” she recalled in an interview with The Spectator on Monday. “There was no discrim­ination. I could enter any house, share a meal or even sleep over with­out rais­ing eye­brows. That spirit of unity shaped my values.”

She said, her love for broadcasting was sparked by her father, who was an athlete and devoted news watcher. Her father loved sports and news and re­counted how she used to sit with him, watching the newscasters and wonder­ing how they memorised so much.

“I later found out they used a tele­prompter-what a relief!” she said with a laughter.

Salamatu’s passion for football heightened during the France ‘98 World Cup. “I watched almost all the matches. That tournament made me fall completely in love with the game,” she said.

But it was not until years later that broadcasting became a real career path-and quite unexpectedly.

She recounted how a friend of hers was managing Hijra TV asked her if she knew anyone who could do Hausa sports for the TV station.

She grabbed the opportunity as she was not working at the time, saying “so I offered myself,” she explained. “That was how it all started.” From Hijra TV, she moved on to Baina TV and even­tually found her home at Iqra Radio.

Though her original dream was to become an English-lan­guage sports anchor, Hausa unexpectedly became her break­through. “People always ask how I manage to do it in Hausa, and the fascinat­ing part is I am a woman doing it. That’s what truly sets it apart.”

But the journey has not been without hurdles. As a woman in sports media, she has had to fight for access and respect.

“It is always difficult getting interviews. Some male counterparts do not like sharing contacts or information,” she said.

Salamatu recounted how early on, men would ask for sexual favours in exchange for job opportunities. She said it got so discouraging that she left job-hunting for a while and ventured into business instead.

Now firmly established in her field, she uses her platform not only to cover sports, but to push for systemic change. As a panelist on various forums and a vocal supporter of women’s football, Salamatu has advocated for increased investment, better pay, and more opportunities for female ath­letes.

“Why should male footballers be paid more for doing the same job?” she quizzed during the conversation. “Fe­male athletes often do not get bonuses or incentives that make life easier for them. People label us feminists for speaking out-but isn’t it just fairness?”

She also spoke passionately about how female athletes face scrutiny that goes beyond performance. “Look at Barbara Banda of Zambia; she faced criticism for being too ‘masculine.’ Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, faced similar discrimination. It’s dishearten­ing. People forget these women are excelling at their craft.”

In 2024, Salamatu’s influence reached the global stage when she was selected to represent Ghana at the Fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. There, she joined other global leaders in conversations about empowering women in media, politics, and business.

“That experience showed me that our voices matter beyond our borders,” she said. “We are not just fighting for recognition here; we are part of a glob­al movement.”

Away from the microphone, Salamatu is known for her bubbly personality. “I am a fun-loving person-anything fun, count me in! I love cooking, watching movies, and reading.”

She credits her background-a Muslim from a Zango family for instilling in her resilience and discipline.

After schooling in Lagos, she moved to Ghana and earned a diploma in Communication Studies from the Afri­can University College of Communica­tions (AUCC), now African University of Communication and Business (AUCB).

Her greatest pride is being the only female voice doing Hausa sports broad­casting in Ghana.

“Until someone else comes along, I will keep holding this fort,” she said with a smile. “It is my biggest achieve­ment so far.”

For young girls looking up to her, she urged them never to be intimidated but rather carve a niche for themselves and be unique.

“You do not have to sound like or look like everyone else. Just be you and be excellent,” she added.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu