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Nkontompo Methodist Church celebrates centenary
• Most Rev. Boafo (middle) assisted by wife, Helena and Rt. Rev Ansah (second left) cutting the anniversary cake
Congregation at the Nazareth Society, Nkontompo, in the Takoradi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana in the Western Region, celebrated their centenary anniversary, last Sunday.
They sang praises and danced to honour the sacrifices and dedication of pioneers to humanity and God’s ministry.
Led by the choir, the joy of the congregation including the Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Bishop of Sekondi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel K. Ansah, burst its seams beyond the neigbourhoods overlooking the Atlantic ocean.
The brigade also spiced the ceremony themed ‘Discipleship: Living the transformed life in Jesus Christ’, with sounds of horns and drums as the congregation sang the hymn, “To God be the glory, great things he hath done” and the refrain “ Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice”.
The euphoria at Nazareth Hall was electric when Most Rev. Dr Boafo joined Rt Rev. Ansah and others to cut the centenary cake.
Nazareth, birthed in 1920, by Opanyin Ackah, a goldsmith from Kikam, Ellembelle, has grown from six members to about 508 membership, today, as church historians had recorded.
In his sermon, Most Rev. Dr Boafo, told the congregation that the Nazareth centenary brought memories of challenges society faced and that “the good Lord has been faithful and we thank Him for such generosity.”
He expressed satisfaction at the society’s growth and progress over the years.
“This celebration is an indication that your forebearers have bequeathed a very strong foundation in God to you. The dedication and commitment with which they set out to serve the Lord and make Him known and the fruits of their labour have yielded the results we are seeing in this wonderful gathering here,” he said.
Most Rev. Dr Boafo urged current and succeeding generations to “keep the faith alive and ensure lives were transformed in and for Jesus Christ.”
Bishop of Sekondi, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ansah, thanked God for sparking a spiritual fire in some forebearers to establish a place of worship on Wesleyan tradition and which had steadily grown over the years.
Resident Minister, Rev Seth Williams, glorified God and praised his predecessors for their contributions to Nazareth’s growth and development.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Nkontompo
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
