By Benjamin A. Commey, GNA
Accra, April 6, GNA – Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kanda, has been rededicated following refurbishment works to improve infrastructure and enhance worship conditions.
The church, constructed in the early 1990s, had deteriorated, with leaking roofs, broken chairs and poor ventilation affecting congregational activities.
The renovation, supported by Nana Dr Appiagyei Dankawoso I, Traditional Chief Linguist (Omanhene Kyeame) of the Asante Juaben Traditional Area, provided air-conditioning and new seating for clergy and congregants.
Average Sunday attendance ranges between 150 and 200 worshippers, with additional membership in the diaspora.
Mr Isaac Owusu-Hemeng, Acting Chairman of the congregation, told the Ghana News Agency that the church had a “long and checkered history,” originating from the former Bethel Lutheran Congregation, which later merged with Emmanuel Lutheran Congregation to form Saint Paul’s.
“We decided to merge the two, and so the two became synagogues. We did not want people to have the feeling that one has subjugated the other, so we renamed the congregation St. Paul’s,” he said.
Mr. Owusu-Hemeng said the early congregation, largely comprising students and Nigerians resident in Ghana in the 1970s, underwent restructuring following the departure of many members.
He noted that the church initially worshipped in a school in Kanda but faced restrictions that necessitated securing a permanent site.
“Pressure was put on us to find another way,” he said, adding that the church later acquired land relinquished by a private developer.
Mr. Owusu-Hemeng explained that the current structure, originally conceived as a “baby chapel,” was expanded in the early 1990s to accommodate growth.
“With time, furniture got worn out, even the roof started leaking, there was an obvious need for refurbishment,” he stated.
Mr. Owusu-Hemeng said the renovation, which began late last year, was completed ahead of the rededication service.
“We are happy that we have come this far, but we are thinking far beyond just the edifice; it is to attract people to come and worship,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nana Dankawoso I commended the church leadership for its commitment to community service.
“We are not doing this for anything, but we want to motivate others… life becomes more meaningful when we touch other lives,” he said.
Nana Dankawoso I cited charitable initiatives, including support for widows, which had expanded from six beneficiaries to about 700.
“Let us continue to use the grace and mercies given to us to do what is right and serve our Lord,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey