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Raising disciples, and families …Mission of Rev. Dr Kisseadoo’s Fruitful Ministry Int’l

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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From kenkey seller to DCOP: Kofi Sarpong shares inspiring story 

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DCOP Kofi Sarpong
DCOP Kofi Sarpong

He once sold kenkey to pay his school fees, and now wears the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police. DCOP Kofi Sarpong, police officer and award winning gospel musician is charting a journey few could script.

In an interview with The Spectator chronicling his rise, the newly promoted DCOP took us on his journey through the ranks.

Early Life

“I was born in Berekum in the Bono Region, then Brong Ahafo, to Comfort Yeboah, affectionately called Maame Yaa, and the late Chief Inspector Kofi Sarpong,” he said.

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His family story is one of resilience. His mother had two children before her husband died in an accident. She later married Kofi Sarpong’s father, a police officer, and had two more, himself and his junior brother. “So we are four, unfortunately one is deceased, just last year, so we are three now.”

School and struggle

He started at Berekum Methodist Primary under the old ‘Sito’ system. In Form Two, he moved to Obuasi to stay with a guardian for his Form Three education, then returned to Berekum for Form Four. He later attended Berekum Senior High School where he studied General Arts and shone as an athlete, a sprinter in the 100m, 200m and 4x400m relay.

After O-Levels, his batch was the last to write the exams, his dream was to become a teacher because of his love for children. But financial hardship forced a detour.

“I decided to help myself by going to buy maize and started preparing kenkey to sell at lorry parks and markets in Berekum,” he recalled.

According to him, the people from Berekum know this story. “I can make all types of kenkey, Fante Kenkey, Ga Komi and others. Don’t be surprised to see Kofi Sarpong Kenkey one day.” The proceeds paid his upkeep.

For this reason, he advised the youth “Don’t see life as a smooth journey but find something prudent to do to help yourself in difficult times.”

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After grinding his education to a halt due to financial challenges, he now holds a Degree in Public Administration from GIMPA, a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy and Project Management, plus other higher certificates, with more in the offing.

The Police Call

When teaching did not materialise immediately, he moved to stay with his father at Osu, Accra. In 1994, he visited former IGP Nana Owusu-Nsia at Police Headquarters, who told about ongoing police enlistment.

In his head he declined, but outwardly he accepted to try reluctantly. Later, watching TV news and seeing long queues of young people aspiring to join the Police, he was inspired to reconsider.

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He went to Berekum for his certificate. Accra enlistment had closed, so he joined the Kumasi exercise. He was selected, passed the exams and went to the Koforidua Police Training School, Galloway. After passing out, he was posted to the Logistics Unit at Police Headquarters.

At Headquarters, a senior officer encouraged young constables to further their education. He took a course in Purchasing and Supply via distance learning from a UK institution. 

Upon completion, the Police administration promoted him from Constable Class One to Chief Inspector, a leap that paved the way for him to enrol at the Police Academy. He graduated as ASP, and the climb to DCOP began.

“The officer corps starts from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the cadet,” he explained. “When you graduate from the Police Academy, you are awarded ASP, and you move to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), that’s when I released album to start my music career professionally.”

From there, he rose to Superintendent of Police (SP), Chief Superintendent, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), and now Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP). Next is Commissioner of Police (COP).

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Music found him in Sudan

On peacekeeping duty in Sudan, officers from different nations came together to hold fellowship led by a Nigerian officer. In December that year, with top-ranked officers present, Kofi Sarpong led the service to the admiration of all.

On his return to Ghana, a Colonel, who was a  Matron at 37 Military Hospital and a member of the 37 Methodist-Presbyterian Church invited him to their harvest service. He ministered, and as he stepped out of church, a man approached him with an offer to record him. He declined.

Days later, at the office, the man, Ernest Kwesi, who owned Media Excel Production sent an elderly man to pursue him. He still declined. This compelled Ernest Kwesi himself to visit him at the office. “He told me he had seen something in me.”

Just after Ernest Kwesi left,Kofi Sarpong wrote to then Director General/Welfare, Mohammed Alhassan, and Paul Tawiah Quaye the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the time. “He opened the letter and said he had been waiting all this while because he had seen me perform at police officers’ events.”

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He was summoned to the IGP’s office, a call which scared him, however, it was a good news; his request was approved. Against this backdrop, he informed Ernest Kwesi who quickly visited that evening with highlife musician Akwaboah Jnr., who taught him his first song, ‘Me ko nso hw3 mu’, and they went to the studio.

A song earlier recorded in reggae by Zapp Mallet was totally transformed by Nacee, so they released both versions on the album. Nacee, he says, hugely supported promotion, as did Mark Okraku-Mantey.

He also acknowledge Oware Jnr. who also wrote songs for him.

After his maiden album’s success, police leadership congratulated him. He says he is happy to have inspired other officers to write to the Service to pursue other interests.

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An autobiography, he reveals, is in the offing.

Family and food

He is married to Mrs Salomey Sarpong with three children, two boys and a girl: Nana Nketiah, Maame Afia Yeboah Sarpong and Papa Kwabena Aseda Sarpong.

His hobbies are watching athletics and being with family. His favourite foods are fufu and konkonte with groundnut soup.

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On music, he teased a collaboration with a top Nigerian artiste, promising fans “hot praises” soon.

He concluded by thanking Ghanaians for their support since his promotion, and thanked the Inspector General of Police for his guidance.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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Mary Adotei: From classroom teacher to women’s advocate

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Ms Mary Adotei

WHEN some of her pupils failed to show up at school, Mary Adotei did not always assume they were absent. Sometimes, she went looking for them.

In the communities where she taught, getting a child into the classroom could require more than preparing lessons. Mrs Adotei remembers occasions when she had to visit the homes of pupils, bathe them, prepare them and bring them to school herself.

“There were times I had to go to the homes of some of the children, bathe them and bring them to school,” she recalled.

It is a memory that captures much of her journey over the years as a teacher, a profession she entered without knowing it would become central to her identity.

Now, after years of working with children and communities, Mrs Adotei is taking lessons from the classroom into a new arena.

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She is contesting the position of Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa (AOB) Constituency in the Central Region, hoping to use her experience working with people to contribute to the welfare of women in the constituency.

But her story begins in the classroom.

After completing her basic and secondary education, Mrs Adotei spent 12 years working as a pupil teacher before she had the opportunity to receive professional training.

In 2006, she entered Fosu College of Education and completed her training in 2011 with a Diploma in Basic Education.

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She returned to the classroom and has remained there since, teaching in different communities before moving to her current school, Catholic Boys Basic School in Breman Asikuma, in 2019.

The years have given her a front-row seat to the transformation education can bring.

Some of the children she once taught have grown into professionals, carrying the lessons they learnt in her classroom into hospitals, schools, offices and other workplaces.

Mrs Adotei said she had encountered former pupils who were now doctors, nurses, teachers and even a lawyer.

For a teacher, she said, such moments bring a special kind of satisfaction and reinforce the reason she remains passionate about education.

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Her journey, however, has not been without difficult moments.

Teaching in local communities sometimes meant dealing with circumstances that went beyond academic work. Some pupils needed encouragement, personal attention and practical help before they could even settle down to learn.

Those experiences taught her that the challenges confronting people cannot always be solved from a distance. That understanding has followed her into her political activities.

Mrs Adotei has been involved in the NDC for years and previously served as a branch treasurer. She has also supported women in her branch, including assisting some to access medical treatment and providing help to families when the need arose.

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She is now making her third attempt at becoming the constituency’s Women’s Organiser.

Her motivation is linked to what she has seen around her.

Mrs Adotei wants women in the constituency to have access to skills and opportunities that can help them become more economically independent.

She believes her years as a teacher have prepared her for the work, too, because the profession has taught her to listen, communicate, understand different circumstances and work patiently with people.

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For her, the transition from teacher to political organiser is therefore not a complete departure from the path she has followed.

The classroom taught her to work with individuals. Politics, she hopes, will give her the opportunity to work with a wider group of women.

If elected, Mrs Adotei intends to continue teaching while taking up her political responsibilities. She said she would organise her time to attend meetings and constituency activities without abandoning her duties to her pupils.

Away from school and politics, she is a wife and mother of two sons who are pursuing their degrees at university.

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Her message to young girls is shaped by everything she has seen education do for the children she has taught.

For Mrs Adotei, education remains one of the strongest tools available to young people, especially girls seeking to build better futures.

She wants them to stay in school, pursue further education and acquire skills that will prepare them for the future.

“Nowadays, you cannot go forward without education,” she said.

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By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

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