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Rev. Seth Ativor, PCG’s first visually impaired ordained minister
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When Rev. Seth Kwame Ativor lost his sight at the age of two, few would have imagined that he would one day make history as the first visually impaired minister to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG).
Through determination, faith and unwavering resilience, he has overcome numerous barriers to become an educator, minister and advocate for inclusion.
Born in 1981 at Afife in the Volta Region, Rev. Ativor grew up in a family whose spiritual journey would later influence his own path.
His father was a traditional priest who later converted to Christianity and joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
As a young child, Rev. Ativor suddenly lost his sight. Although the exact cause was never established, the condition changed the course of his life.
The loss of vision brought educational and social challenges at a time when support systems and learning materials for visually impaired students were limited.
Despite these obstacles, he remained focused on his education. He attended Okuapeman Secondary School, where he successfully completed his secondary education before gaining admission to the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where he obtained his first degree.
His passion for learning did not end there. He furthered his studies at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), earning two master’s degrees.
He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning and personal development.
Today, Rev. Ativor serves as an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teacher at Okuapeman Senior High School, where he continues to impact the lives of students through education and mentorship.
Although deeply involved in church activities, Rev. Ativor never envisioned himself becoming a minister.
His journey into ministry began after joining Christ Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in 2002. It was during his time in the church that he felt a strong conviction that God was calling him into pastoral ministry.
Initially, he resisted the call.
“I never dreamt of becoming a minister. There was no pastoral background in my family and nothing in my life suggested that I would one day enter the ministry,” he recounted.
The challenge was not only personal. At the time, questions arose about whether a totally blind person could effectively serve as an ordained minister in the church.
Following extensive consultations and discussions among church leaders, Rev. Ativor was eventually granted the opportunity to sit for the church’s entrance examinations and interviews for ministerial training.
He excelled and was admitted to the Presbyterian theological training programme.
After years of theological education and preparation, he was ordained on July 15, becoming the first visually impaired minister in the history of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
Rev. Ativor’s ordination marked a significant milestone in the church’s efforts towards inclusion.
He explained that the Presbyterian Church has, over the years, made deliberate efforts to create opportunities for groups that were previously marginalised, including women and persons with disabilities.
For him, becoming the first visually impaired minister is not merely a personal achievement but a symbol of what is possible when institutions embrace diversity and equal opportunity.
“My prayer is that I will not remain the first. I hope many more persons with disabilities will be given the opportunity to serve God and society according to their gifts and calling,” he said.
As both an ICT teacher and minister, Rev. Ativor relies heavily on assistive technology to perform his duties.
Using specialised computer software, he is able to access the Bible, theological books, commentaries and other educational materials independently. Technology enables him to prepare sermons, conduct research and perform many of his responsibilities effectively.
He also acknowledges the support of his family, church members and colleagues who assist him when necessary.
His wife, children and siblings have been a constant source of encouragement throughout his educational, professional and ministerial journey.
According to Rev. Ativor, one of the greatest lessons blindness has taught him is humility.
While he values independence, he has learned that accepting help is sometimes necessary and that collaboration makes it possible to achieve greater things.
His experience has also deepened his understanding of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
“It is not blindness itself that disables me. It is inaccessible environments, inaccessible information and negative attitudes that create disability,” he emphasised.
He believes society must shift from viewing persons with disabilities as dependent individuals to recognising them as people with talents, skills and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Rev. Ativor’s message to young people living with disabilities is to never allow limitations to define their future.
He encourages them to discover their talents, pursue education and remain determined despite challenges.
“Disability does not mean inability. God has given every person unique abilities and a purpose. Focus on what you can do and strive to make a difference,” he advised.
He also called on parents, schools, churches, policymakers and communities to create inclusive spaces that enable persons with disabilities to thrive.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Italian premium security door manufacturer Dierre S.p.A. has named award-winning Ghanaian Afrobeats and Highlife artiste King Promise (Gregory Bortey Newman) as the face of its new Ghana and West Africa marketing campaign.
The partnership, managed by Regiments Management Company Limited, forms part of Dierre’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the West African market.
The two-week campaign, themed “Secure What Matters,” will run across digital, outdoor and influencer platforms, with King Promise featuring in a campaign film showcasing Dierre’s Prestige and Synergy security door ranges.
“Home is everything. It is where you protect the people and things that matter most. Dierre builds doors that reflect exactly that security, quality and style without compromise. I am proud to represent a brand that stands for those values,” King Promise said.
Founded in Italy, Dierre is a global manufacturer of armoured security doors, interior doors and fire-protection systems. Its products carry international anti-burglary certifications across Classes 3, 4 and 5, with the company producing hundreds of thousands of doors, locks and safes annually.
King Promise is one of Ghana’s leading Afrobeats and Highlife artistes, known for his distinctive sound, international collaborations and growing global audience.
The partnership combines Dierre’s security and design expertise with King Promise’s influence in contemporary African music and culture, as the brand expands its consumer engagement in Ghana and across West Africa.
From humble beginnings to building an enterprise with global ambitions, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s journey is a story of discipline, independence, resilience and the belief that businesses should be built to outlive their founders.
Long before he became the Group Chairman of M&C Group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye was building from modest beginnings.
His entrepreneurial journey did not start in a sophisticated corporate office or with a large team behind him.
At one stage, he was working from his room with limited resources, focused on turning an idea into a viable business.
That beginning became an important part of his philosophy: build the business first, then let the infrastructure grow with it.
Michael’s early experiences shaped his determination to become an entrepreneur. After university and periods of professional employment, including banking, accounting, marketing, packaging and logistics, he developed a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how different industries connect.
His exposure to mining advisory work, property and other commercial opportunities broadened his perspective and helped him identify opportunities beyond a single sector.
But the journey was far from easy.
He recalls the uncertainty of sending proposal after proposal without knowing which one would eventually open a door.
Even after establishing an office in East Legon, some people assumed he was working for someone else because they could not imagine that the business belonged to him.
The confidence and corporate presence associated with success today were built through years of uncertainty, rejection, experimentation and persistence.
His evolution from working out of a room to leading M&C Group reflects a broader philosophy that has guided his business life: do not build an image before you build the substance.
For Michael, entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a company. It is about learning how to turn knowledge, relationships, opportunities and resources into sustainable value.
He believes professionals in every field can develop an entrepreneurial mindset by creating assets, building networks, investing in opportunities and developing additional sources of value alongside their careers.
That philosophy has influenced the way he approaches business expansion. Rather than viewing companies as isolated entities, Michael sees opportunities to create connections between industries, people and services.
Strategic partnerships, in his view, can create greater value than treating every other business as a competitor.
His approach has also been shaped by research and international exposure. He argues that entrepreneurs must understand the markets they enter rather than simply copy businesses they see succeeding elsewhere.
Behind every successful enterprise, he believes, are structures, regulations, relationships, research and decisions that may not be immediately visible from the outside.
As his business interests have grown, so has his ambition. M&C Group represents a significant chapter in that evolution, reflecting his drive to build an enterprise that extends beyond a single venture.
His vision is rooted not merely in personal wealth, but in creating businesses capable of generating employment, developing people, building partnerships and contributing to the wider economy.
Michael is particularly concerned about the role of the private sector in addressing unemployment and creating sustainable opportunities. For him, a successful business should ultimately do more than enrich its owner. It should employ people, develop skills, support suppliers and create opportunities that extend beyond the founder.
That long-term perspective is central to his understanding of success.
He is cautious about equating visibility with achievement. In an age where social media can make a business appear larger than it is, Michael believes the real measure of an enterprise lies in its systems, customers, assets, operations and results. The brand should be supported by substance.
His personal journey has therefore become a lesson in patience and discipline. The man who once had to convince people that the business was actually his now speaks about building systems, protecting capital, understanding markets and thinking beyond the immediate reward.
And his ambitions do not stop with the present generation.
Michael describes legacy as something that should extend beyond his children to future generations. His objective is to build something sustainable-something that can continue creating value after he is no longer at the centre of it.
From a modest room and limited resources to the boardroom and the development of a growing business group, Michael L. Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s story is ultimately about building before displaying, learning before expanding and creating something designed to last.
His journey is a reminder that global ambition does not necessarily begin with global resources. Sometimes, it begins with little more than an idea, discipline, persistence and the willingness to start where you are. – MyStoryMagazine
