Ghanaian churches overseas urged to embrace non-Ghanaians

Ghana’s high commissioner to Australia, Mrs Mercy Debrah-Karikari, has urged Ghanaian churches that are engaged in evangelism in foreign countries to live up to the ideals of Christ’s Great Commission and spread the Word to all peoples in all parts of the world.

Mrs Debrah-Karikari says she has noticed that many Ghana-originated churches operating in foreign lands have congregations that are almost exclusively Ghanaian. “If these churches have moved to foreign lands to spread the Gospel, it is incumbent on them to ensure that they attract worshippers from all backgrounds in those countries, not Ghanaians only,” she said.

The high commissioner made these remarks when Rev Ransford Awuku-Gyampoh, the minister in charge of Ghanaian Presbyterian churches in Australia, called on her in Canberra, Australia’s capital city.

Rev Awuku-Gyampoh assumed the role at Royal Presbyterian Church, Sydney, in late October.

Mrs Debrah-Karikari also decried the spate of Ghanaian churches springing up in several developed countries, especially Australia, Europe and the US. “In Sydney, for example, there are more than 20 churches in the Ghanaian community, and there are only about 5,000 Ghanaians in the city”.

She wished the minister well in the work of his ministry and urged Ghanaians in Australia to pull together and do well to enhance Ghana’s image in all their endeavours.

On his part, Rev Awuku Gyampoh said he was grateful to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for giving him the opportunity to expand Christ’s ministry in a land far from home.

“It’s true that European evangelists introduced Christianity to Ghana and much of Africa. But while the faith is very much alive and growing in Africa, it’s on the decline in Europe and in Australia, and I believe it’s our duty to keep the flame lighted by Christ burning around the world.” Until he moved to Australia, Rev Awuku-Gyampoh was the minister in charge of Royal Presbyterian Church at Adweso, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region.