President commends Presby Church on 200th milestone

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) for its immense contributions to the nation’s development as the church marks its 200th anniversary.

He lauded the church’s legacy of faith, discipline and service, describing it as a “mighty tree sheltering millions under its branches.”

Reflecting on the church’s history, President Akufo-Addo noted its pivotal role in shaping the country’s social, moral and intellectual fabric through education, health care and advocacy for social justice.

“The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has been a beacon of hope, never ceasing to proclaim the message of Christ, the solid rock on which we stand. Your emphasis on hard work, humility and stewardship is exactly what Ghana needs to move forward,” the President said.

The occasion

He was speaking at the launch of the bicentennial anniversary of the church on December 22.

The event was held at the Osu Castle, where the first missionaries of the Evangelical Basel Missionary Society landed in December 1828, laying the foundation for the PCG.

The bicentennial celebrations will culminate in December 2028, marking 200 years of the church’s presence in Ghana.

The event brought together a distinguished gathering, including church members, former moderators of the church, traditional rulers, ministers of state, Justices of the Supreme Court as well as current and former members of the General Assembly Council.

The church also unveiled a new anniversary cloth and a logo to commemorate the 200th anniversary.

Personal faith journey

President Akufo-Addo praised the church for remaining steadfast in its values, particularly in a world increasingly defined by moral ambiguity. “The Presbyterian ethos of discipline, service and integrity has helped shape Ghana into the nation it is today,” he added.

The President also reflected on his personal faith journey, crediting his Presbyterian upbringing for instilling in him the values of faith, prayer and perseverance.

He acknowledged the church’s unwavering prayers and support throughout his presidency, describing it as a source of strength and inspiration.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration between faith and governance, President Akufo-Addo urged the church to continue leading efforts to address contemporary challenges, including poverty, inequality, corruption and environmental degradation.

“The bicentennial is not just a time of reflection but a call to action. The church must continue to be a voice for the voiceless, a sanctuary for the weary and a light in the darkness,” he stated, referencing Matthew 5:14-16.

Post-elections

Touching on the recent general election, President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude for the country’s peaceful democratic process but criticised the acts of hooliganism and vandalism that marred its aftermath.

While pointing out that some of the disturbances involved executives and sympathisers of the victorious party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he said those acts were completely unnecessary and wholly unacceptable and must never reoccur.

President Akufo-Addo further congratulated the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, on his victory.

He praised the Electoral Commission for conducting a diligent and transparent electoral process, which he described as reaffirming the country’s reputation as a beacon of democracy on the African continent.

The President also commended the security services, particularly the police, for ensuring the peaceful nature of the elections.

However, he called on the police leadership to review their practices to prevent the recurrence of post-election violence.

“As a nation, we must be resolute in our commitment to safeguarding peace, stability and the democratic values we have worked so hard to establish,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

Sermon

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, while delivering a sermon, reflected on the history of the PCG, acknowledging its legacy of transformation in Ghanaian society.

He also spoke of the church’s foundational role in the spread of Christianity in the country.

Drawing inspiration from the sacrifices of missionaries who came, died, and kept coming, Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye reminded the congregation of the spirit of perseverance that defined the church.

As the church prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary, Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye urged the congregation to continue embodying the Presbyterian spirit of perseverance.

On the Promotion of Proper Human and Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, also known as LGBTQ+ bill, Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said the Presbyterian Church, having given support to the bill, interpreted it as their birthday gift for this year.

He, therefore, called on the President to make the church's joy complete by assenting to the bill to make it law.

"We are confident that in these last few weeks, you will make our joy complete by giving assent to the bill so that it will become law in Ghana.

We seek to preserve the values of the African people through the gospel and are confident that it will be soon," he said.