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The Methodist Church, Ghana, has commemorated its 190th anniversary celebration of its existence in Ghana with a grand durbar in Cape Coast, where the first society of the church was established.
The durbar saw in attendance members from all the 24 dioceses that make up the Methodist connexion, past and serving executives of the church's hierarchy, bishops, as well as the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, and some of his elders and the Omanhene of the Abeadze Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII.
It was a colourful blend of religion and culture at the ceremony as most of the ministers of the church, led by the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, wore clothes and a jumper for the occasion instead of their usual robes and suits.
There were also cultural displays, singing of appellations and songs that paid tribute to the founders of Methodism in Ghana, and a pictorial history of how the church started in Ghana.
The Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Right Reverend Samuel Kofi Osabutey, mentioned some of the activities celebrated to commemorate the anniversary to include a poster art competition for children, a memorial lecture, an anniversary health outreach within the various dioceses of the church and an anniversary commemoration of International Widows Day.
Awards were also presented to 63 individuals for their services to the church and for being winners in some of the anniversary competitive activities.
Most Reverend Professor Asamoah-Gyadu, in his address, which appeared to be a tribute, thanked God and the forebears of the church — both clergy and lay, who in diverse ways helped to spread Methodism across the country.
Members of the church dancing at the grand durbar
"We remember the ministries of ordinary people — of unschooled men and women, traders, public servants, market women, etc. These are the people who have spread Methodism in this country.
The number of Methodist societies actually established by ministers is very few," he stressed.
The presiding bishop also recognised the efforts of those who contributed to the musical culture and heritage of the church, including gifted and talented musicians, organists and composers who composed most of the beautiful tunes of their songs and those who translated the church's hymns to local languages.
"We have to give thanks to God for people like Master I D Riverson, Henry Sam, who were principal organists in both Sekondi and Takoradi. Kwesi Baiden, whose family is here; Tsemafo Arthur, Kras Arthur, Professor Sekyi-Baidoo, the late Harvey Essilfie and his brother, Mensah Essilfie. How do we thank these people for preserving the history that has brought us this far?
"We remember how, through our schools, lives have been modelled and paths and minds have formed, with many of our products serving in public offices, political offices, from teachers to world citizens.
We have to thank God for our services in medical care and other social interventionist institutions such as the Methodist Rafiki Satellite Village," he added.
Most Rev. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu urged the current generation of the church to take the ministry of the Word of God seriously since it was the single most important means of spreading Christianity in general and Methodism in particular.
The Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive Officer, George Justice Arthur, who represented the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Eduamoah, congratulated the church on its anniversary and thanked it for the good things it had introduced in the Central Region and Cape Coast in particular.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, asked the current generation what they would also do to continue with what was started by their forebears.
He expressed concern about the lack of respect in the country.
