As I follow Presbyterianism globally, or at least in regions that I can read the news reports, I have regularly found the Presbyterian branches in Ghana a point of interest and a source of inspiration.  First, and most helpful, they are well covered in the press, especially on-line versions.  This may be for the second reason, and that is that the leaders are regularly saying interesting things to the population of the country as a whole from the pulpits.  I get the impression that the church is “relevant” while being the body of Christ and proclaiming the Gospel.

So, this is another one of my occasional posts of news from Ghana that encapsulates several interesting stories.

Regarding national news, the last time I posted on Ghana was just before their national elections on Sunday December 7.  In the presidential election that day there was no majority winner so a runoff was held on Sunday December 28.  (I didn’t see any similar news items about what would happen to worship services that day so I figure it was probably a repeat of December 7.)  In the runoff Professor John Evans Atta Mills was elected president and he was sworn into office on January 7.  He has a candidate web site worthy of any politician and it continues to be updated now that he is in office.  According to the bio on the web site he is a law professor with degrees from The University of Ghana, Legon and Stanford.  He began studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London before being selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Stanford.  He has served in several government posts, including being elected as Vice President of Ghana.  At one time he also played on the Ghana national hockey team.  Accounts describe him as deeply religious (Methodist according to Wikipedia) and Aaron at I must follow, if I can has a picture of him and the ESV Bible on which he was sworn in.

While there was tension and uncertainty in Ghana about the elections they went smoothly, and there was a lot of encouragement for this from religious leaders, including the Right Rev. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who is quoted as saying:

Let us pursue our partisan agenda in the
framework of national unity to engender peace and tolerance in our
country. We must be true to ourselves at all times when debating
issues, accepting the obvious facts and ensuring that our criticisms
are just, fair and constructive. Put Ghana first, keep the peace.

Best wishes to all in the new administration.

There have been a series of short news pieces about the Presbyterian Church of Ghana promoting various causes.  These include the Chairman of the West Akyem Presbytery encouraging people to get involved in the promotion of Primary Health Care.  A district minister encouraging Ghanaians to have an attitude toward work in the new year that takes into account the betterment of the country as a whole and helps the new government’s policies and programs for socio-economic development.  He is quoted as saying “All and sundry have a stake in developing Ghana and we should not fail in our endeavours.”  And before you think that this is disassociated from the Gospel, there is a news report about the Bible Study and Prayer Group of Asante Presbytery which, as part of its four day convention, issued a “call on Christians to renew their commitment to the propagation of the gospel.”

There are a couple of other stories as well about the church’s support for education and a local congregation’s gift to prisoners at Christmas.  All of that in the last month.  As I said, there never seems to be a lack of news items about Presbyterians in Ghana reaching out to their country in positive ways.

I would end with one final news item about the church being involved in a property dispute, but not in the same way we are seeing here in the states.  According to Joy Online local landowners are encroaching on a school.  The article does not have a lot of specific details but as I read the story it appears that at a school owned by the government, but possibly operated by the church, is having problems with surrounding landowners using the land around the school, jeopardizing a playground.  The situation appears to be complicated by unclear title to the property, the article saying:

Mr Kofi La-Opare, Senior Presbyter of the Church, said the Social
Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) passed the land on to the
Church but was reverted to the land owners, sparking unending
litigation between the church and the landowners.

But the Moderator of the General Assembly has addressed the landowners and strongly urged them to let the school use the land.

So that is a summary of the recent news.  We will see what the coming months hold.