December 21, 2024 1:16 pm

GHANA BAPTIST CONVENTION

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History of the Ghana Baptist Convention

Our History

The Ghana Baptist Convention traces its roots to pre-independence Ghana in the early 1900s, with a close association with the Nigeria Baptist Convention. Nigerian Baptist brethren who came to Ghana (formerly known as the Gold Coast) to trade started the First Baptist Church in Kumasi in 1927. Other Baptist churches were established by these traders in Cape Coast, Sekondi, Suhum, Asamankese, Akwatia, Sefwi-Bekwai, Techiman, and other locations. These churches were constituted as the Yoruba Baptist Association in 1935 and made an appeal to both the Nigeria Baptist Convention and the Nigeria Baptist Mission (composed of Southern Baptist Convention missionaries working in Nigeria) to send missionaries to start Baptist churches among the Ghanaians. This appeal was made because the Yoruba Baptist churches were failing to attract Ghanaians into their fold since the Yoruba language was used in all their worship services.

In response to the request, the Nigeria Baptist Mission sent Rev. and Mrs. H. R. Littleton to Ghana in 1947 to start Baptist churches among the indigenous people. The Yoruba Baptist Association was renamed the Gold Coast Baptist Conference in the same year (1947) to enable the emerging Ghanaian Baptist Churches to be part of the Conference. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the first indigenous Baptist Church in 1952 at Boamang in the Ashanti Region.

In 1957, the Gold Coast gained independence and became Ghana, leading to a change in the name of the denomination to the Ghana Baptist Conference, still under the supervision of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. In 1963, the Ghana Conference was granted autonomy by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, and a year later, in January 1964, the name changed again to what we know today as the Ghana Baptist Convention.

As a denomination, the Convention has been self-governing and making its own decisions since 1963. Hence, in 2023, the Ghana Baptist Convention will be 60 years old. The Convention is also a member of the Baptist World Alliance, All Africa Baptist Fellowship, All Africa Baptist Fellowship Western Region, Christian Council of Ghana, and Ghana Evangelism Committee, among others.

The Ghana Baptist Convention has partnered with other Baptist bodies and churches to fulfill the vision God has given it in Ghana and beyond. Some of our partners include:

- American Baptist Churches International Ministries (ABC/IM)
- American Baptist Churches of Metro-Chicago, USA
- The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM)
- National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc. (NBCA)
- First Baptist Church, Midland, Michigan, USA
- First Baptist Church, Raleigh, USA
- Korean Peninsula Baptist Church, Virginia, USA
- Southern Hill Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- Laurel First Baptist Church, Maryland, USA
- Every Day Ministry, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- Kairos 10 Ministries, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- UK Support Group
- Danish Mission Council Development Department/International City Baptist Church, Denmark/ Baptist Union of Denmark
- Baptist World Aid
- Christian Children's Fund of Canada
- Ghana International Health Foundation, Canada

HISTORICAL STRUCTURE

Historically, the Convention operated with a number of Boards and Committees including:

-The Finance and Administrative Board

-The Church Development Board

-The Evangelism and Missions Board

-The Socio-Economic Board

-The Theological Education Board

-The International Missions Committee

Here are the previous leaders who received support from the Executive Committee of the Convention.

PAST PRESIDENTS

  1. Rev. J. A. Imosun 1963 – 1965
  2. Rev. E.O. Ojebiji 1965 – 1967
  3. Rev. Dr. J. A. Boadi 1967 – 1969
  4. Rev. J. K. Nkrumah 1969 – 1971
  5. Deacon N. E. Obeng 1971 – 1977
  6. Deacon L. Sarpong Mensa 1977 – 1985
  7. Rev. Steve A. Williams 1985 – 1988
  8. Deacon Joseph Quansah 1986 – 1992
  9. Rev. Kojo Osei-Wusuh 1988 – 1992
  10. Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe 1992 – 2000
  11. Rev. Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusuh 2000 – 2006
  12. Rev. Stephen. K. Asante 2006 – 2013

 

 

 

PAST GENERAL SECRETARIES

  1. Rev. D. C. Cather 1963 – 1965
  2. Rev. Dr. W. E. Verner 1965 – 1971
  3. Rev. Dr. J. A. Boadi 1971 – 1973
  4. Rev. D. D. Agyare 1973 – 1976
  5. Rev. Dr. J. A. Boadi 1976 – 1986
  6. Rev. David Hermenoo (GBC, SBC) 1987 – 1992
  7. General Secretary Council (Rev. Kojo Amo, Rev. Stephen K. Asante, Rev. Kojo Osei-Wusuh ) 1986-1988
  8. *Rev. Kojo Amo 1988-1989
  9. Rev. G. S. Mallet 1989
  10. Rev. Ben Epton 1989 – 1991
  11. Rev. Dr. Frank Adams 1991 – 2000
  12. Rev. Kojo Amo 2000 – 2010
  13. Rev. David N. Ocansey (Acting and Substantive) 2010 – 2013

 

 

PAST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee which was composed of the Chairpersons of all Boards and Committees. Other members of the Executive Committee included:

  1. The President of the Women’s Missionary Union
  2. The President of the Baptist Men’s Ministry
  3. The President of the Youth Ministry
  4. The President of the Ghana Baptist University College
  5. South-West Ghana Sector Head
  6. South-East Ghana Sector Head
  7. Mid-Ghana Sector Head
  8. Northern Ghana Sector Head
  9. The General Secretary
  10. The Assistant General Secretary
  11. The President (Ceremonial)
  12. The Vice-President
  13. Secretary
  14. Vice-Secretary

 

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