Presbyterian Church of Ghana elects new Clerk of General Assembly

Reverend Dr Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, District Minister for Kaneshie in the Ga West Presbytery of the Greater Accra Region has been elected as the Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG).

The Clerk of General Assembly is equivalent to the rank of executive secretary or secretary-general of the national church.

He was elected at the 19th General Assembly of the PCG at Abetifi, Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana after defeating his main challenger Rev Dr Kofi Amfo-Akonnor, District Minister for Koforidua.

He secured 115 votes out of 229 total votes cast representing 52.59 per cent with Rev Dr Kofi Amfo Akonnor also securing 104 votes representing 47.9 per cent.

Rev Dr Odonkor was the former Chairperson for the Ga Presbytery from 2010 to 2015.

In his acceptance speech, Rev Dr Odonkor thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and further solicited for their prayers and cooperation.
Profile

Education

He holds a double Bachelor of Arts degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi and University of Ghana, Legon.

He had his Theological education at the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon.

He also studied at the University of Hull, Yorkshire, UK and obtained a Masters degree in Theology and then proceeded to the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, USA where he studied and was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree.

Commissioning and Ordination

He was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, 33 years ago in Accra and ordained 31 years ago at Christ Church, Akropong-Akuapem.

Ecclesiastical Experience

He has served the Church in various capacities. These include, School Chaplain at Okuapeman School, Akropong-Akuapem, Industrial Chaplain and Project Director, Tema Industrial Mission, Ecumenical and Church Relations Officer of the Christian Council of Ghana, First Minister in Charge, Grace Presbyterian Congregation, Tema, Community Eleven, Founding Minister for the Tema Joint Church. , Clerk of the Ga Presbytery.

Others include District Minister, Accra Central District, Ghanaian Minister, for four years, in the United Kingdom, Associate Minister, Dulwich Grove URC, London, Founding Minister, the Ghanaian Congregation of the United Reformed Church in Ealing Broadway, UK.

Resident Minister, of the United Church, Teshie-Nungua Estate, President of the Ga Presbytery Ministers’ Fellowship, Chairperson, Ga Presbytery, Member of the PCG General Assembly Council, District Minister, Kaneshie District, Adjunct Lecturer in Christian Chaplaincy at the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, from April 2008 to 2017, Lecturer in Specialized Ministry at the SMT from 2014 to 2018.

Membership of Committees and Boards

He served on the following PCG General Assembly Committees, Chairman of the Specialized Ministry Committee, 2014 to 2017, Member of the Committee on Ministry, from 2015 to date. Chairman of the Candidates interview Panel from 2014 to 2017,Chairman of the Scholarship Committee Panel from 2015 to 2017.

In London he served on the following Boards and Committees: Executive Committee of the Ghana Union, London and the Urban Churches Advisory Committee, London. Between 2003 to 2007, Member and Coordinator of the Ghanaian Ecumenical Ministers’ Fraternity in London, Member of the United Kingdom, Ghana at 50 Planning Committee, Member of the United Reformed Church Racial Justice and Multi-Cultural Ministry Committee.

He also served on the boards of some educational institutions in Ghana: Member of the Board of Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Presec, Legon, Member of the Board of the Presbyterian Secondary School, Tema.

Other international Experiences:

Rev Dr. Odonkor has had various international experiences, including the following:He has travelled to the UK, Australia, the USA, Singapore and some African countries, He was the Presbyterian Church of Ghana sole representative at the 2004 Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh, Scotland

He was a Commissioner to three United Reformed Church General Assemblies at: Coventry (2005) Exeter (2006) and Manchester (2007), The Key-Note Speaker at the World Church Holiday Forum at the Hayes, Swanwich, Derbyshire in 2005 and also the Guest Speaker at the Council for World Mission Annual Missionaries Gathering in October 2005, London. The Guest Preacher at the Central Hall, Westminster during the state visit to U.K. of the then President of the Republic of Ghana in 2007.

Marriage Life

He has been married to Mrs. Akweley Odonkor, a registered Member of English Teaching Council. They have two children.