A clergyman of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) Rev. Dr Elias Kwaku Asiama, has bowed out of active service after 35 years of priesthood.
A valedictory ceremony was organised on Sunday at the Mt. Zion Congregation of PCG, Teshie Ajorman, in the Greater Accra Region, which was the last congregation he took charge during his career.
The occasion celebrating his dedicated service to the PCG and his congregation was attended by the congregants, family members, friends and others, including fellow clergy, a former Moderator of the PCG, Prof. Emmanuel Martey.
Being his day, Rev. Dr Asiama was given the pulpit as the main and more or less sole speaker. He first expressed gratitude to all persons who had supported him on his journey and ultimately God for His unending blessings and mercies amid warm smiles and humble demeanour radiating a sense of gratitude and accomplishment.
In his last sermon on the theme: ‘Who do you say that I am?,’ which was meant to mark his voluntary retirement from priesthood, Rev. Dr Asiamah urged the government to adopt home-grown solutions to tackle the country’s socio-economic challenges.
According to him, the government could use proceeds from agriculture and local investments to address economic difficulties, instead of the occasional International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout
“Why do we go to the IMF for money when our land is so fertile?,” he questioned, adding that “I am not against the government attempting to solve our economic problems, but the solution is here. We have turned a blind eye to all the good things God has given us.”
Rev. Dr Asiama appealed to Ghanaians to apply unique knowledge,cultural values and resources in addressing socio-economic difficulties confronting their various communities.
He urged Christians to be steadfast in their communion with God, sharing his experience that “during my journey with the Lord, I lost loved ones, both young and old, but due to His grace, I am alive today to share this testimony.”
“When God calls you, He will provide you with everything you will need, so seek Jesus Christ as He will always be there when you need Him,” Rev. Dr Asiama noted.
During the time of giving parting gifts and giving testimonies about Dr Asiama, words of appreciation and admiration flowed from the attendees, highlighting his unwavering commitment to spiritual guidance, compassionate counselling, and uplifting sermons that had touched countless lives.
Others shed tears of gratitude and said heartfelt blessings and best wishes for the new chapter of life ahead of him.
Beginning working life as a teacher after attending the then Jasikan Teacher Training College, Rev. Dr.Asiama pursued further education at the University of Ghana (UG), University of Southampton (Kings Alfred’s College) UK, Trinity Theological Seminary (College), UG.
He was once a lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts, UG, and National Chaplain of the Men’s Fellowship, PCG.Apart from priesthood, he is an environmentalist, plant medicine practitioner, and consultant in cultural heritage and ecological recovery and conservation project for the Bui-Hydro electricity Power Authority.
Dr Asiama was also a principal investigator and consultant on theatre and climate change research projects at Penn State University, USA.
BY JESSEL LARTEY THERSON-COFIE
