DATE: 10TH SEPTEMBER, 2022.
VENUE: SUNYANI.
At the PMG Executive Committee meeting held on 18th November, 2021, it was decided to hold regional/branch retreats this year instead of the usual biennial retreat of the Prison Ministry of Ghana. This was because of the then yet unsettled COVID-19 circumstances. It would be a platform to update members on the activities and plans of the Ministry as well as to encourage the Region/Branch in their pursuit of the mission and vision of the Ministry. The retreat, which was held on Saturday, 10th September 2022 at The Presbyterian Church of Ghana Brong Ahafo Presbytery Office, Sunyani, was attended by 24 members from Sunyani Central Prisons, Kenyasi Settlement Farm, Duayaw Nkwanta Settlement Farm, and Sampa. The National Office was represented by the Executive Director and the Projects Coordinator, Eric Larweh.
The Regional Chaplain of Ghana Prisons Service, Rev. Dr. Ndebugre, the PCG Presbytery Chaplain, the Minister-In-Charge of the Ebenezer Congregation, PCG, Sunyani, the Presbytery Director of Evangelism and immediate past traveling secretary of the Scripture Union also participated.
The Programme
i) The Regional Chairman of PMG, Mr. Charles Adu-Kusi welcomed the session with a charge for a renewal of commitment to the Ministry. Rev. Vincent Osei, 2nd Minister of the PCG Ebenezer Congregation, Sunyani, gave the address on the theme. He declared, among other things, that
– There is gross moral darkness in the world today, but in spite of great advancements, there is no technology to overcome it
– Only the light of Jesus can
– The PMG member is a carrier of the light of Jesus Christ. He/She exists to affect life with his/her moral credentials. He/She is thus a powerful moral stakeholder for society
– Our power source is in the depth of knowledge we have about Jesus
– We should propagate this knowledge in the prisons
– We should further exert godly influence on the human mind and society
– The light of Christ makes no noise but with silence is able to overpower darkness.
ii) Prayer time was led by Eric Larweh. It focused on the issues raised by the thematic address. According to him, “Jesus is the book to read, to reflect and to become”, and this also formed the basis of fervent prayers by the assembly.
iii) The Executive Director gave a two-pronged address on
a) The state of the Ministry and plans for the future. He spent considerable time explaining that PMG is no more a “Presbyterian Church of Ghana Prison Ministry” exclusive to the PCG, but ecumenical in nature with a duly executed MOU attesting there to. An outline of this presentation is also attached as an App. “A”.
b) The “Dos and Don’ts of Prison Ministry ” using the document presented by the Chaplain-General Canon ADP Adama-Okine.
iv) Rev. Supt. Gideon Ndebugri, the Regional Chaplain, led a highly informative and interactive session on “what the prison ministry member should know”.
He informed the assembly that the Sunyani Prisons were built to accommodate 450 inmates in 1962. However as at the date of the Retreat, there were 906 in the lockup.
Furthermore, he requested support for a chapel building being erected on the precincts of the prison, as well as the rehabilitation of the block-making equipment and the bakery which were installed years ago by PMG.
v) The immediate past Traveling Secretary of the Scripture Union (SU) in the Region, Mr. Annor Sakyi, gave a well-researched and revealing talk on “Servant leadership” which also attracted considerable audience participation.
vi) Two reformed ex-inmates, Mathias Kwabena and Raymond Owusu Kwabi shared their life-testimonies emphasizing the life transforming role played by PMG. One is currently the head pastor of a thriving local church, while the other is a successful musician.
vii) We also had a fraternal greeting from the Presbytery Chairperson. He emphasized the need to make the Retreat an annual affair and also to widen the scope of participants. He further pledged the support of his presbytery to the affairs of the Ministry. He thus encouraged the leadership to share their vision and budget with his office for their active involvement. We accepted his offer of a twice-a-year prisons visit partnership with the Presbytery.
viii) Reports were received on the activities of the Ministry in Kenyasi and Duayaw Nkwanta Settlement Farms, Sunyani Main and Sunyani Female Prisons.
Each Unit has re-commenced ministering in the prisons, viz, organizing church services and teaching literacy of the Bible. The usual items of Christian charity are also being provided as and when available. However, due to congestion in the lockup, there is a need for carbolic soap and other sanitation items. Members also requested support for their T&T expenses.
ix) There was an open forum during which the resource persons fielded a variety of questions on the operations of the Ministry and also the various papers presented.
A suggestion was made for each congregation in the partner churches to donate annually, GHC 1.00 into a fund dedicated for the PMG. It was also announced that we expect to resume our biennial retreat next year at Abokobi. The meeting, however, was of the view that this should alternate with regional retreats every other year.
x) Closing prayers were said at 14:45hrs after which lunch was served.
xi) The National Office team joined the first service the next morning, Sunday 11th September, 2022, at the Ebenezer Congregation, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who host the majority of the membership of the Ministry in the Region. The aim was to show appreciation for the efforts and support of the church to PMG.
Thereafter we joined the normal Sunday church service at the Sunyani Prisons. Mr. Larweh preached the sermon while the Executive Director gave a word of exhortation. The church made a request for mics and an amplifier. While expressing thanks for the annual Christmas party, they pointedly requested assurance that this year a similar programme will be held, to which a positive response was made.
xii) A donation of 80 copies each of “Good News Bible” and “Asempa Hymnals” to the Sunyani Branch.
xiii) The National Office team departed Sunyani Sunday night, arriving safely in Accra at 04:40hrs on Monday, 12th September, 2022.
xiv) We record the yeoman’s efforts made by the Sunyani Branch in ministry, as attested to by the Regional Chaplain and the Presbytery chairperson. We also note that by the end of the Retreat, members appeared to be up-beat about the future of the Ministry. Members variously repeated fresh commitment to the Ministry especially in raising support and seeking new and younger persons to enroll as members.
We give glory to God for a well-executed maiden regional retreat.
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