The Ga Presbytery traces its origin to the Ga-Adangme Presbytery. By a Synod resolution in 1971, the Ga-Adangme Presbytery was split into two (2), namely, the Ga Presbytery and Dangme-Tongu Presbytery, to facilitate evangelism and ensure more efficient administration. The Ga-Adangme Presbytery had existed for fifty (50) years, being one of the original five (5) Presbyteries created by Synod in 1922. The newly created Presbytery was inaugurated in 1972. It comprised nine (9) Districts, namely Teshie, Kaneshie, Abokobi, Adabraka, Labadi, Osu, Nungua, Tema and Accra Central. Presently, there are twenty-three (23) Districts with two (2) Mission Fields administered directly by the Presbytery.
The Ga Presbytery is located in the Greater Accra Region stretching from Tema in the East to the fringes of the Central Region in the West. It also stretches northwards to the foot of the Akwapim hills. This area was originally occupied by the ethnic group known as the Ga’s based on which the Presbytery was named. This part of the Greater Accra Region has become increasingly cosmopolitan since the 1960’s making the Ga Presbytery the most ethnically diverse in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (P.C.G.).
The first Chairman of the Presbytery, Rev. E.A. Adjei elected in 1972, combined the functions of the office with those of a District Minister. So also did the Clerk of Presbytery, Rev. J.E. Svanikier. This arrangement continued for over ten (10) years until a decision was taken to detach the position of Chairman from congregational duties. That decision necessitated the provision of a manse for the Chairman as well as office facilities for the Presbytery. These facilities are sited at Osu Kuku-Hill (Jubilee House).
At thirty-five (35) years, the Ga Presbytery intends to change its strategic direction and positioning to provide even stronger leadership in mission within the P.C.G. This therefore, among others, is the basis for developing this strategic plan.
Current Situation of the Presbytery
As at 2006, the Presbytery had twenty-three (23) Districts, two (2) Mission Fields and a Northern Outreach Programme. It had a total of two hundred and three (203) Congregations, one hundred and one (101) Preaching Points, one hundred and thirty-five (135) Ministers, two hundred and six (206) Catechists and fifty-five (55) Caretakers. The Presbytery had a membership of one hundred, fifty-five thousand and forty-three (155,043) made up of thirty-two thousand, seven hundred and eighty-eight (32,788) Children under twelve(12) years, twenty three thousand, eight hundred and six (23,806) of Children between twelve to seventeen (12 -17) years, thirty two thousand (32,000) of Youth between the ages of eighteen to thirty-five (18 -35) years and sixty- seven thousand, two hundred and seventy- six (67,276) of Adults from thirty-five (35 )years and above. The total number of communicants was seventy-three thousand, eight hundred and ninety-nine (73, 899) and of non-communicants fifteen thousand, one hundred and five (15,105).
MISSION, VISION AND CORE VALUE STATEMENTS
The P. C. G strategic plan referred to above has the Church's Mission, Vision and Core Value Statements as follows:
Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of the P. C. G is as follows:
" To uphold the centrality of the Word of God and through the enablement of the Holy Spirit adopt a holistic development of her human and material resources to:
- improve Church growth through evangelism and nurture
- attain self-sufficiency through effective resource mobilazation
- address all factors that inhibit development through advocacy and effective delivery of social services
- uphold the Reformed Tradition and cherish partnership with the worldwide body of Christ.
Vision Statement
The P. C. G Vision Statement is:
"To be a Christ-centered, Evangelistic, Disciplined, Democratic, United, Self-sustaining and growing Church".
Core Value Statement
The P. C. G is founded on certain core values that must not be compromised in the achievement of the Church's strategic objectives. These Core Values are our belief in:
- The Centrality of the Word of God;
- Discipline;
- Integrity;
- Hard work;
- Humility;
- Unity;
- Upholding Democratic principles;
- Godly Leadership and skills Development; and
- Sound Moral Principles.
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