His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has lauded the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for its continued efforts at complementing the government in the provision of various services towards nation building.
He noted that the Presbyterian Church has a rich heritage, as far as Christian values
bordering on discipline, education and health provisions are concerned.
The Asantehene, who was represented by the Asanteman Nkosuohene, Nana Osei
Kwame Kyeretwie, at the 66th annual national delegates conference of the Choirs’ Union of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) in Kumasi, said the Presbyterian Church, which celebrates its bicentenary anniversary (200 years of existence) in 2028, is the oldest continuously existing church in Ghana, and has played a pivotal role in education in Ghana.
The theme was: “Jesus Christ, The Alpha and The Omega – Singing Praises to the Lord Who is, Who was, and Who is to Come.” The King noted that PCG is the only church in Ghana with two fully-fledged universities: Presbyterian University with six campuses, the Akrofi Chistaller Institute of Mission, Theology, and Culture at Akropong Akuapim and five colleges of education at Akropong Akuapim, Abetifi, Agogo, Kibi and Aburi.
Other schools established by the Presbyterian Church are PRESEC-Legon, Prempeh College (jointly owned with the Methodist Church and Asanteman Council), Aburi Girls’ SHS and Berekum Presby SHS, besides numerous Basic and Junior High Schools.
Otumfuo also mentioned the immense contribution of PCG in health services delivery in Ghana, ranking third after the government of Ghana and the Roman Catholic Church, with over 60 health facilities dotted around rural areas across the country to its credit.
“The church is also instrumental in developing leaders for various high portfolios in the country because of the Presbyterian discipline,” the Ashanti Overlord noted. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged all members of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, especially Choristers, to be ambassadors of peace and promote unity and oneness before, during and after the church.
“Let’s make use of any available medium to preach peace and refrain from excessive arguments which could lead to tensions and civil violence,” adding that
“we are one people in and one nation.” Otumfuo advised the choristers and pledged his support for the special 66th Delegates National Conference hosted by the Asante Presbytery at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, over the weekend.
Sarki Abdullai Ali Barry, the Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene and member of the Asanteman Nkosuo Division, called for peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in the country. Sarki Barry expressed delight to be among the Christian fraternity, which occasion
he described as an indication of the bond of unity between the two faiths, which gives credence to the fact that the Islamic sect is dedicated to peace and interfaith cooperation.
“We, as Muslims, collectively desire no confrontation under any circumstance with any
religious or political group,” he stressed and pleaded with all Ghanaians to respect the rights and freedoms of religions.
Rev. Samuel Ahima-Yeboah, chairperson of the Asante Presbytery, noted that Otumfuo and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana have a longlasting relationship. He said the church has helped in the areas of education and health over the 196 years of its existence in Asanteman and Ghana as a whole, stressing that the Presbyterian Church is the third provider of health services after the government and the Catholic Church.
