The new Presbyter Executive of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Dr Salomey Praise Otami-Abutiate was inducted into office at the Elorm Parish at Ho-Bankoe last Sunday.

Dr Otami-Abutiate took over from a Development Consultant, Charles Sakyi, who served as Presbyter Executive for six years.

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Special Education from the University of Education, Winneba, where she served as Senior Lecturer from 2015 to 2018, in the Department of Educational Studies.

In a sermon on ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit,’ before the induction, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the church, the Rt Rev. Dr Lt Col B.D.K. Agbeko reminded Dr Otami-Abutiate of her role to serve the church to the glory and honour of God, saying that was a very special task.

“That means you do not seek for yourself but for God and the church; and you must not be afraid in the discharge of your duties,” he added.

Dr Otami-Abutiate, 62, also holds a master’s degree in child development from the Tuffs University, Medford, MA, USA, and a Bachelor's in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Education, Winneba.

Second woman

A product of the then Ada Training College, she holds a Diploma in Ewe from the School of Ghana Languages, Ajumako.

Dr Salomey Praise Otami-Abutiate

Married with three children, she is a member of the African Curriculum Association, the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, the Teacher Education Sub-Sahara Africa, the Africa Early Childhood Education and the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana.

Dr Otami-Abutiate, who is the second woman to serve the church as presbyter executive, pledged to serve the EPCG diligently and in the spirit of honesty at all times.

The induction service was attended by a large number of members from various congregations of the church in the country.

The gathering also included chiefs and queens from Avatime-Biakpa, the hometown of the presbyter executive.

The roles of the presbyter executive include advising the Moderator and the Clerk of the General Assembly of the EPCG on the running of the church and supervising the E.P. Development and Relief Agency.

The presbyter executive, who is a signatory to the development account of the church, also represents the laity in the standing committee of the General Assembly.