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The Seventh – day Adventist Church at bantam in the Ashanti Region at the weekend marked its golden jubilee of successful spread of the Advent message and partnering governments in the nation.
The event held on the theme,“ Celebrating 50 years of true Christian experience,” brought together past and present members of the church to climax it at the church premises on Saturday, September 23 2023.
The ceremony was also graced by Nana Adusei Sarkodie II, Sewuahene who represented the Asantehene His Royal Majesty Osei Tutu II, Nana Dr. Ofei Amannor Atwease Asiahenehene who is the Kuntanase Twafohene and doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Abotare Clinic, Samuel Pyne, Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Asenso Boakye, Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency and other dignitaries.
In his speech, Asenso Boakye who also represented the vice president, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, said the church through the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) have brought about much development in the country by building schools, clinics and providing sources of water across.
According to the legislator, there are two things that the SDA church is known for; thus the spiritual development of its members and a strategic partner to governments in their collective efforts to bring development to Ghanaians.
Continuing, he stated, “They (SDA Church) have built hospitals, basic schools, secondary schools, teachers training colleges, nursing training colleges and the Valley View University which is the first private university in Ghana that has obtained the Presidential Chatter.”
He reminded the gathering that, the church was not solely for spiritual things alone but for development as well, hence commending the SDA church for their exemplary role played in enhancing the developmental projects of every governments that nation has had..
Mr. Asenso Boakye, who doubles as the Minister of Works and Housing added that the SDA church was built on the foundation of character development, thus training its members to impact the church positively to yield improvement in the country.
He charged the congregation to earnestly pray for President Nana Akufo Addo for divine wisdom to lead the country well adding that the development of the country is the responsibility of everyone.
He stated, “God gave a direction to the Israelites to pray and seek for the welfare and development of the foreign land when they prayed to Him in their captivity. This means you will also be affected when you do not pray and seek for the development of your land.
He was optimistic that the Golden jubilee celebration of the church would encourage them to do more of their good works to ensure the progress of Ghana.
Nana Adusei Sarkodie II, who spoke on behalf of Asantehene, commended the church for helping in the economic development of Asanteman and that of the nation.
He admonished them to lead a life worthy of emulation.
Robert Osei- Bonsu, President of the West- Central African Division (WAD) of the General Conference of the Seventh- Adventist Church, in his remarks acknowledged the profound impact that Bantama SDA Church has had on the lives of countless individuals over the past five decades. He said, “ throughout the years, your church has been a source of spiritual nourishment, a place of worship, and a community of believers united in faith and love,” adding that the Church has not only been a spiritual home but also a centre of influence within the community.
He expressed his appreciation for their commitment to uplifting humanity in their community and congregation.
A special harvest was made to mobilize funds for the construction of intended projects of the church.
Established in April 1973, the Bantama SDA Church became the fifth Adventist congregation in Kumasi, joining the ranks of the existing four churches in the city namely; Ashtown, Amakom, Old Tafo and Kwadaso.
