Features
Profits and standards and St Peter’s Mission
Time was when we had what was known as “experimental” schools. They were ran like private schools and were attended by children who were born by grace. They were regarded as special children.
It meant that some children were born by mistake and were, therefore, supposed to graduate from Zongo Primary or at best from the infamous public schools.
Experimental school kids were treated like children of God because invariably their parents were rich or pretended to be rich. Anyhow, they did not belong to the holy club of church mice.
When those kids spoke English, they did so in style and their phonetics was quite akin to that of Chris Tackie. We of the other ranks spoke differently, unmindful of grammar, punctuation and usage.
And when we happened to meet the divine kids on playgrounds, they mostly chose to play with those of similar feather. When we asked them questions in vernacular, they replied in the Queen’s language and reminded us that it was academic treason to speak vernacular. We bowed in veneration and saluted their intellectual wisdom.
As for the girls, you just couldn’t approach them. The way they would look at you from head to toe before finally snubbing you was enough to make you dodge or just run away whenever you saw them.
I had the misfortune of telling one I admired her pony-tail hair-do, and the way she looked at me compelled me to withdraw the statement instantly. Then added that it was a slip of tongue so I deserved forgiveness.
But coming to think of it, when it came to real knowledge I don’t think they were any better. They were better equipped with books, pianos and learning aids and were on the average better-placed to excel academically. But pound-for-pound some of us from the public schools were far more intelligent.
In effect, the only difference really was that while they ate oats, milk, bread and cheese for breakfast, some of us made do with bongo coffee and tea-bread or better still waakye garri a.k.a. zorzor. But in those days, public school teachers were diligent and really taught us well. These days, I don’t know what the hell is happening.
I had a brilliant Indian friend who attended an experimental school and whenever I paid him a visit, his Pop didn’t like it very much because I attended a public school. We were both in primary five but I was teaching him a few maths points he did not know although he was considered brilliant. I also taught him how to make a kite and of course how to begin a love letter.
One day his pregnant mother whom I had never seen because she was always indoors came out with an extraordinarily large belly. She kept staring at me and I smiled at her belly. I actually wanted to ask my friend what really was wrong with his mum’s belly. I had never seen one that large.
“Is Vijay your friend?” she asked me.
“Yes Mum,” I answered timidly.
“You attend Experimental?”
“No, Anglican.”
“If you are good boy, Vijay will teach you some Maths and English.”
“Yes, Mama,” I said, just short of telling her that it was the other way round and that I was tutoring Vijay on some knotty points in maths. In fact, I would add that I was even coaching Vijay on how to write love letters.
Today, those who attend the public schools have less chance of getting to the universities because they either do not learn, are not taught well because the teachers are not good, or are not encouraged to study. So, many people who can afford it want their kids to attend private schools which are today so many that no one notices them anyway.
Some of the private schools are very good though; unlike some schools in the countryside where teachers who are given awards further distinguish themselves by impregnating school girls. Double award.
Now, when there was this changeover to the present JSS system, many wondered what would be some of the private schools since government would not be equipping them to run their JSS programmes. Those proprietors who were serious took steps to equip their schools, and there was no hitch in getting their JSS shoot off.
Taking a cursory look around, one would realise, however, that many schools, government or private, are poorly equipped. With the government schools, there is the hope that they would be equipped in due course, but one cannot be sure with the private ones since some proprietors are only interested in profit and not quality tuition.
I am glad, however, to note that some private proprietors are seriously undertaking some exercises to ensure that their schools are of standard. They want profit, yes, but at the same time they want a name for their schools.
When I visited Saint Peters Missions, Nursery, Primary and JSS, I was impressed with the steps the school’s board and management are taking to improve standards. A department is being put up solely for manipulative skills.
The JSS system is meant to ensure that students cultivate manipulative skills, but resources in many schools are lacking and this has not been possible in many cases. St Peters is about a step ahead many schools.
Under the manipulative skills department is a sub-department in the pipeline known as the ‘Clothing and Textiles Department’, where basic skills in cloth fabrication and design can be learnt so that if the child does not get a chance to proceed to SSS, he or she could be absorbed in textile manufacturing and designing to improve upon skills for eventual employment or self-employment.
The school is also establishing a department similar to a multi-purpose computer centre where kids can be introduced to the computer and get acquainted with at least Word Perfect before they graduate. What about the language centre where the kids can undertake proficiency courses in English, French and the local languages? The school’s budget covers it adequately.
In an interview with the proprietor, Mr Moses Adu-Gyamfi, I learnt what the management has undergone to go this far to make the school a paragon of the ideal private JSS academy.
“For the time being,” he said, “we are forgetting all about profit. We are investing into equipping our departments adequately so that every child who passes through St Peters would have gone through that type of academic discipline that would make him fit into any school of higher learning or any suitable vocation. This is our aim.
“Secondly, we want St Peters to be the torch-bearer of the private schools. Presently we are not doing badly. But we want to be the crusaders of the ideal thing, to be forerunners of the restoration of standard and education within the educational system.
“Well, I think very few people think like this these days. Profit margins are of more concern than the provision of infrastructure and equipment to build their schools into serious institutions of learning.
“Some proprietors run their schools to get money to chase women and tiny girls, and so do not have any plans whatsoever for improving the conditions of their schools. Buildings crack and deteriorate, chairs are inadequate, equipment are lacking and yet they charge exorbitant fees.
“Such private schools better gear up to the task of doing the right thing or quit.”
This article was first published on Saturday June 1, 1996
Today, I focus on the Global Methodist Church in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland. I give special attention to the Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship, which is under the Global Methodist Church in Finland.
The Global Methodist Church in Finland is quite new, having split from the United Methodist Church Finland.
The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
Some history
The Methodist Church in Finland has existed for over 100 years since 1800s. It was conducted mainly in the Finnish language, according to Pastor Freeman Awuah. In 2012, a Finnish member of the Helsinki church and the then Mr Freeman Awuah, a Ghanaian immigrant who had joined the church, started bible studies which was turned into the English version of the church.
Many Ghanaians joined and they formed the Ghana Fellowship church within the Finnish Methodist church with services conducted in Twi.
In 2025, the Ghana Methodist Fellowship joined the Global Methodist Church and became quite well grounded. The Methodist Church generally does not have much influence in Finland as compared to the Lutheran and Orthodox churches. Even so, the Global Methodist Church currently has two branches, in Espoo and Lahti.
The Church has three ordained pastors, with the Finnish pastor as the leader of the church, assisted by Pastor Freeman Awuah (who was ordained a pastor a few years ago) and another Ghanaian pastor (Pastor Paul Brewu, who was recently ordained).
Activities and achievements of the Church
The Global Methodist Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11 in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. When the service is done in Finnish there is English translation, and there is the service by the Ghana Methodist Fellowship, which meets once a month.
There are other meetings on other days when the church has what is termed Community Fellowship (Bible Studies) on Tuesdays in English, Thursdays in Finnish and Fridays in Twi at 6 pm.
The Global Methodist Church in Finland continues to shepherd people in their religious lives for God’s glory. The church opens its doors to people of every nationality, including Finns, other Europeans, and other African migrants, aside those of Ghanaian origins.
“We are a family church because we are a family to other migrants and we care for the needs of each other or others in all situations that we can be of help.
For example, in the women’s group, we have an organisation in Finland which works to fight against human trafficking. The women’s group has also adopted an orphanage in Ghana where we help the less privileged ones”, Pastor Awuah revealed.
But there are also challenges, according to Pastor Freeman, as with any new group or institution that faces initial obstacles. Also, the COVID-19 situation brought a huge challenge such as physical resources and logistics. The lockdowns resulted in church services not conducted regularly, and done online. People are still interested in online worships than physical meetings, he said, adding: “We are trusting God to help”.
Impact of the Ghanaian migrant community
The Global Methodist Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
The Ghanaian community has great impact since majority of the church membership are of Ghanaian origin (about 60 per cent). There are other nationalities and it is thus a very multicultural body.
Integration
By its activities, the Global Methodist Church is thus helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Global Methodist Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetual.crentsil@yahoo.com
I picked Kwakyewa up, and we drove to the site on the Aburi road. We drove for some five minutes, and a security man opened the gate, and we entered the 40 acre plot secured with a fence wall.
‘Here we are. I have just started buying materials. I am planning on building one hundred apartments, and fifty top class houses’. ‘
David, are you telling me that this is all yours?’
‘Yes. All mine. I carefully engaged with the chief of the town, and his elders. I paid him all the arranged monies, in the presence of his people. And I have started work on a school building for the town, and I’m renovating his palace. When the block of houses is sold, I will invest the bulk of the funds here.
I will start with twenty houses, without taking any loan. When I sell them, then I will build many more’.
We went round the site, and spoke with the workers who were clearing the land. After an hour we went back in the car and drove off. ‘You are not saying anything, Kwakyewaa’. ‘
What can I say? It’s just incredible. I will stay for as long as you need me’.
Many thanks, Kwakyewaa.
I will count on your support. I will continue working with the EU for another couple of years, so I will be up north a lot of the time. So you will be in charge’. After spending another couple of hours at the city centre site, we decided on lunch’.
We got down at Sankofa, and I took her hand as we walked to take our seats. After taking a sip of my drink I looked across the big room and saw Abena staring at us, a look of utter shock on her face. She continued to stare as Kwakyewaa spoke about the changes she had to make due to her extended stay in Ghana. After a while I ignored her and focused on the discussion.
‘Now listen, Kwakyewaa, this is a most important part of what we have started to do, as a couple, and as business partners.
For starters, I would like you to prepare a budget of the expenses you need to make as a result of postponing your return and staying here for three months, and I will pay you the money.
In the coming days we will decide on how much money you need to be comfortable. Then, later on, we will take the bigger decisions resulting from continuing with the relationship.
Suddenly she got off from her seat, sat on my lap and hugged me, as the other guests watched in appreciation. Unfortunately I could not look in Abena’s direction.
We parted at the office at the close of day. Kwakyewa joined Eva and Robert for the drive home, as I drove home. Although I was playing my favourite jazz tunes, my head was spinning with thoughts of Kwakyewaa. Abena was beautiful, but Kwakyewaa was in a completely different league altogether.
And she combined queenly beauty with incredible sharpness of mind. She calculated business issues with ease, and she planned and recorded everything. And to top it all, it was obvious from the first day that she cared about me.
This time, business was going well, but the relationship side was also cool. This time, I could forget about Abena and her big ego and sharp tongue.
I sat to watch TV, but started feeling sleepy, so I rose to go and lie down when my phone rang. It was Kwakyewaa. ‘Bernard, Abena just came in. She’s furious. She’s throwing verbal bombs at Esaaba, saying things like “if you think you will insult me by fixing David Kwakyewaa, you are joking.
If I wanted Bernard I wouldn’t have thrown him out. David is junk. She can have him. I’ve gotten someone far better than him. You are all stupid”. ‘
And what did Esaaba say?’ asked.
‘We didn’t say anything. Which made her angrier, so she rained insults for quite some time, and went to her room’.
‘Nice one. It’s good you ignored her. Hey look! She has just sent me a message. Let me check and get back to you’.
I opened the message and read. ‘Bernard, so you are now Kwakyewaa’s boyfriend. Congrats. I thought you would spend sometime to improve yourself before trying to get a girlfriend, but obviously you think otherwise. Pray that she also doesn’t throw you out soon’. I sent her a reply.
‘Madam, I’m tired of your insults and lies. I will come and show this to Mom first thing tomorrow, and tell her about the things you have been saying about me. I may also do you a favour by telling her about a certain transaction by which Jennifer sold an arrogant girl for peanuts.
Goodnight’. She called me numerous times, but I did not pick her call. At six following morning, my doorbell rang, and I went to find Abena and Esaaba, and let them in. ‘David’, Esaaba said after I had offered them seats, I hear you have threatened to come and see Mom this morning to tell her about the message Abena sent to you. Well, we have come to apologize to you, not only for the message but also for anything she has said about you.
She says it will not happen again, so please forgive her, and cancel your plan of coming to see Mom’.
‘Yes, David’, Abena said. ‘I am very sorry. I promise it will never happen again’.
‘Okay. I accept your apology, even though the things you’ve been saying were not true, and they really hurt me, because I did not get the chance to defend myself to the people who heard it’.
‘And David’, Abena said, please do me a favour. ‘You said Jennifer sold me for peanuts. Is it true, or you were just rebutting what I said’.
‘Let’s do it this way’, I said. ‘Call Jennifer, and ask her if it is true that she was paid by your boyfriend for fixing you with him. I’ve heard he has not given her the full amount, so she has been calling him to demand the balance’. ‘I don’t believe it, but let me call her and see’.
She called Jennifer. After a few moments she started shedding tears. ‘Esaaba let’s go’, she said quietly. I walked them to the roadside and hired a taxi to take them home.
At the office a couple of hours later, Kwakyewaa came to sit by my desk and looked straight at my face.
‘So what happens now? Esaaba told me what transpired at your house. ‘What she does is none of my business. Maybe she will go and sort things out with her rich boyfriend’.
‘I was afraid she would decide to fight to have you back. I have been really worried’.
‘Are you joking? We have already agreed on what Esaaba calls a smooth transfer. We have a relationship, and I’m very pleased with it. Let’s make plans for the future as we agreed’.
‘Okay. I have already started implementing my plan. I have told my parents about you, and my plan. They have accepted it. From this evening, I will spend a lot of time with you, at your house. Now, let’s talk about activities for today’.
By Ekow de Heer
