EPCG responds to Avatime Traditional Council over AMECO Principal appointment

The leadership of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), has issued a statement addressing concerns raised by the Avatime Traditional Council (ATC) over the appointment of a Principal for the E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe (AMECO).

The statement follows a press conference held by the ATC on October 17, 2026, during which the traditional council called on the Governing Council of AMECO to reconsider its position and prioritise the appointment of Prof. Shine Lilian Gifty Agbevivi as Principal of the College.

In response, the EPCG has outlined its position on the appointment process, reaffirmed its support for the current appointment in line with the relevant institutional decisions, and urged the ATC to pursue dialogue through legitimate channels while safeguarding peace and unity within the College and the Amedzofe community.

Read the full statement below:

The attention of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) leadership has been drawn to a press conference organised on October 17, 2026, by the Avatime Traditional Council (ATC) and presided over by His Royal Highness Osie Adza Tekpor VII, President of the Council, as the lead spokesperson at the conference, requesting the Governing Council of E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe (AMECO), to consider prioritising the appointment of Prof. Shine Lilian Agbevivi as the Principal of the College.

We have also cited a letter signed by Osie Adza Tekpor VII, addressed to the Chairperson of the AMECO Governing Council, requesting the Council to reconsider and reverse its resolution communicated to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The contents of the letter, a copy of which was delivered to the EPCG Moderator of the General Assembly, with the caption, “RECONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF PROF. SHINE LILIAN GIFTY AGBEVIVI AS PRINCIPAL,” among other issues, accused the Principal of AMECO and some other Council members of unfair treatment against Prof. Shine Agbevivi, described as a daughter of Avatime and “an accomplished educationist”.

In response to the concerns of ATC and His Royal Highness Osie Adza Tekpor VII, we wish to respectfully make the following clarifications:

1. That the processes involved in the search and appointment of Principals of Colleges of Education in Ghana are specified in Section 17(1) of the Colleges of Education Act, 2012 (Act 847), as well as Article 195(3) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

2. That the leadership of the EPCG, acting in compliance with the decisions of the Governing Council and GTEC, endorses the current appointment of a Principal for AMECO.

3. That since it established the E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe, in February 1946, and as a key stakeholder of the College, the EPCG has enjoyed a very pleasant relationship with the chiefs and people of Amedzofe, as well as the ATC and other Avatime communities.

4. That we advise the ATC, as a reputable and prominent traditional institution, not to be lured into the ‘politics’ of tribalism and divisiveness, taking into consideration that citizens of Avatime have served and continue to serve in leadership positions of the EPCG, but to seek legitimate channels of dialogue in addressing its concerns.

5. That the ATC and persons acting on its behalf should desist from unwarranted threats and further actions that could subvert and derail the current peaceful atmosphere within the AMECO fraternity and in the Amedzofe community.

6. That the ATC, including its chiefs from Amedzofe, as well as all opinion leaders and citizens of Amedzofe, should warmly accept whoever is appointed Principal of AMECO in the interest of peaceful coexistence and a harmonious relationship.