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Understanding Themes Behind Watch Night Services
During the Christmas festivities, many Ghanaians look forward to how they will end the year and usher in the New Year. Ahead of December 31, churches across the country organise crusades, revivals, camp meetings, and other spiritual activities to prepare members for the transition into the New Year.
For many Christians, New Year’s Eve is marked by a Watch Night service, which is characterised by prayer, thanksgiving, and reflection to climax a symbolic crossover into the New Year at midnight.
Over the years, churches in Ghana have adopted various themes for their 31st Night Services to encourage members and attract non-members, offering insight into what congregants should expect in the coming year.
The term ‘crossover’ has become a common expression to describe 31st December Watch Night Services. These services have become famous due to the fascinating themes generated by the churches. Some of the captivating themes spotted on huge billboards with over two weeks to December 31 include: “Night of Signs and Wonders,” “Night of Wonders,” “Exodus Night,” “Empowerment Summit,” “Glorious Triumphant Entry,” and “Occupy 2026.”
Other themes that enthrall people include “Cross Over to Recover,” “Passover to Takeover,” “Crossing Over,” “Operation Jabez Crossover,” “Restoration Night,” “Run Over,” and “December To Remember.”
In an interview with The Spectator on these themes, Prophet Alfred Asihene Arjarquah of Paramount House Chapel explained that the church’s crossover theme for 2026, “Occupy 2026,” was inspired by biblical instructions for believers to take possession, dominate, and flourish.
According to him, the theme was grounded in God’s original mandate to humanity to be fruitful and to occupy the earth, as well as God’s directive to Joshua to take possession of the Promised Land after the enemies had been subdued.
“God told Joshua that the land He had prepared ahead of the Israelites was already cleared of enemies, and they were to occupy the land flowing with milk and honey. That is the spiritual foundation of Occupy 2026,” he indicated.
He noted that the emphasis on “Occupy” distinguishes the church’s crossover service from conventional year-end themes by challenging believers to take action rather than wait passively for blessings.
Prophet Arjarquah further revealed in the interview that 2026 has been declared the Year of Extraordinary Praise, a season he believes will be characterised by miracles, signs, and wonders.
Beyond the church, Prophet Arjarquah used the opportunity to pray for the nation, asking God to bless the people of Ghana and stabilise the economy. He also encouraged citizens to remain hopeful and steadfast, trusting God for restoration and national progress.
“We are praying that God will bless the people of Ghana and also bless the economy,” he said, stressing the need for faith, discipline, and unity in addressing the country’s challenges.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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