Upper Presbytery outdoors new chairperson


The General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana led by its moderator, Rt Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey has officially endorsed Rev Emmanuel Batesim Atami as the new chairperson elect for the Upper Presbytery. 

Rev Atami now succeeds Rev. Esmond Wasau Nagba, as the second chairperson of the Presbytery since its creation in 2010. 

At an induction ceremony held in Bolgatanga, Rt Rev Martey, exhort the newly ordained chairperson to be selfless in the discharge of his duties and inject a new life into his followers by working to empower and alleviate the socio-economic sufferings of the disadvantaged. 

This, he observed can only be done through the support of the church and the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana and reports that, in June last year, the Upper Presbytery which used to be part of the Northern Presbytery celebrated 5 years of dedicated missionary work under the able chairmanship of the then chairperson, Rev Esmond Wasau Nagba, now Minister in charge of the Apraku Congregation of the Ga Presbytery. 

The young presbytery was carved out of a majority decision of the General Assembly and erected as the 16th Presbytery of the church by the then moderator, Rt. Rev Yaw Frimpong Manso. 

The creation of the presbytery was provoked by the vast nature of the Northern Presbytery coupled with the motivation and desire to plant more churches with the view to promoting mission and evangelism. 

Through the sacrifices of the pioneering ministers, the clergy and the laity, the presbytery has ensured the establishment of more than thirty churches with others under construction. 

Unlike other presbyteries, the Upper Presbytery has paid its dues in area of evangelism and has strategically transformed the lives of many through its numerous social services spanning from health and education to agriculture. 

However, the elevation of Rev. Emmanuel Atami as chairpersons elect for the Upper Presbytery will not only rekindle the disciplinary facets of his stewardship but rather lead the church in pursuing its pathway to distinction. 

Rev. Atami will now preside over the congregations within the presbytery including those in Wa, Bawku, Gambaga as well as Garu and Tempane. 

At an induction service to usher in the new Chairperson, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Prof Emmanuel Martey, expressed satisfaction in the rich academic portfolio and charisma possessed by Rev Atami, describing him as a pillar who is capable of drawing lost souls closer to God.  

In a sermon on the theme for the occasion: ‘You are ordained to be a Prophet’ Rt. Rev. Prof Martey, beseeched Rev Atami to be filled with holy spirit and execute his agenda through the prophetic declaration of Jesus Christ made at the beginning of his ministry. 

He also encouraged Rev. Atami to adopt the lifestyle of the first century Christians by being compassionate in addressing the challenges of the larger population of the church who are poor and destitute. 

To the church, Rt. Rev. Prof Martey, exhort members to accord the new chairperson the honor and support him in ceaseless prayers for the maintenance of the Christian ministry and the furtherance of the gospel. 

The new chairperson, Rev Atami said though his new position was a challenging one, he was convinced that with the support of the church, the clergy and the leadership of the various social services, he will lack no resources when it comes to ministry and wisdom for the work. 

He also pledged to welcome all ideas to enable the church succeed as a presbytery. 

Touching on his development agenda for the presbytery, Rev Atami assured the church that the establishment of the Navrongo ministry as the last district will become the foundation for many more churches to be erected and called on the support of all. 

Presided over by Moderator of the General Assembly and other ordained ministers, Rev Atami, 48, was later decorated with a symbol of authority to remind him of his duty as chairperson elect and the chief servant of the presbytery. 

Until now, Rev Atami was the head of department in charge of administration and management studies of the UDS school of Business and Law and an academic board member.  

He is married with a wife and two children.


 
GBC