Category: General

The Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC) has inducted Reverend Washington Komla Darke as the new Senior Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Accra. Rev. Darke replaces Rev. Dr. Fred P. Deegbe, the immediate past Senior Pastor of the Mega Church. Rev. Darke originally took office in 2023 as the Senior Pastor Elect of the Calvary Baptist Church but underwent a year's mentorship under the Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe. During the mentorship period, Rev. Darke was assigned the responsibility of leading and supervising key assignments including the Development of a long-term (2024 - 2033) Vision Statement for the Church, which provided a broad guide for the development of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework for the Church. He also ensured the development of the Medium -Term Strategic Framework for the Church covering the period 2024 to 2028; and also Developed an enhanced Quarterly Progress Report Format for the monitoring and evaluation of activities outlined in the Strategic Framework. In a short sermon a t the Induction Service held at the Calvary Baptist Church Auditorium, Rev Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, former Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention reminded Rev. Washington Darke of his responsibility as the head shepherd of God's sheep. He also reminded him that the house of God (Calvary Baptist Church) was not only a place of worship, but also a place of refuge for all those looking for salvation or seeking the help of God. Rev. Dr. Adu-Gyamfi appealed to the leaders of the Church to operate a people friendly church and make it a place where souls are safe and protected. 'The church is supposed to be a refuge for unbelievers and all believers, a place where murderers can even run to and find salvation. There are many souls that are being lost and need to be led to Christ Jesus'. Rev Dr. Adu-Gyamfi called on the Church leaders to support the administration of Rev. Washington Darke and ensure his succeess. He entreated the Church members, which he described as a 'Mega Church' to raise more minis ters and workers of God. Rev. Washington Komla Darke was inducted into office by Rev. Dr. Fred P. Deegbe, the outgoing Senior Pastor of the Church who led him to take the oaths of office and secrecy. He also handed over to him, the symbol of office, official bible, copy of GBC constitution and the official minister's rope. In a short remark, Rev. Dr. Deegbe expressed his profound appreciation to the Ghana Baptist Convention and the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church for working closely with him throughout his tenure. He urged the Church to extend the same cooperation and support they accorded him to his successor. Rev. Dr. Deegbe expressed his readiness to play any role or give any assistance required of him by the church or the new Senior Pastor. On his part, Rev. Washington Komla Darke, the new Senior Pastor of the Church applauded the good leadership of his predecessor who served the convention for over 30 years. He said that even though he knows that the shoe size of his predecessor is very hug e, he needs the help of Christ to grow in it, and would graciously serve the church humbly and diligently to the glory of God. According to him, he would continue to build on the good foundations of his predecessor, and also ensure that the vision and mission of the church remained supreme and would not be changed in his tenure. The current operational vision of the Church quotes: 'A vibrant congregation impacting the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ' and its mission quotes: 'To exalt God in worship, grow towards Christian maturity and reach out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ'. Rev. Darke revealed that his administration would introduce some core principles - Alertness, Compassion, Thoroughness and Initiatives and Diligence to guide the church in the discharge of their duties. This, he said, is where the Church would be very aware of its environment and provide the appropriate responses; invest in people and provide care to them; avoid practices that diminish effectiveness and efficienc y; act proactively with due regard to church leadership; and to complete tasks assigned for the glory of God. As its long-term goals in the next 10 years, the Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Washington Komla Darke would focus on four thematic areas including; Evangelism, Missions and Spiritual Growth; Christian Education; Mentorship and Empowerment; Governance and Infrastructural Development as well as Financial Sustainability for Growth. The Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson who graced the occasion encourage Rev. Washington Komla Darke to remain focus, committed and loyal to the Church, the Convention and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ. He expressed confidence in his ability and anointing to lead such huge congregation. Source: Ghana News Agency

OSHAKATI: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati region have opened a case of murder against a 36-year-old mentally challenged man after he reportedly beat to death his 104-year-old mother with a stick. According to the region's Crime Investigation Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho on Sunday, the incident happened on Friday around 21h50 at Enkombo village in the Omusati's Etayi constituency. The deceased was identified as Cecilia Vilho from Enkombo village and a case of murder read with the provision of domestic violence has been opened against the suspect. 'It is alleged that the suspect came home and found the deceased and a witness eating dinner, before taking a stick from the fire and beating the deceased,' he said. The deceased sustained serious head injuries and was taken to the Oshikuku hospital with a private vehicle, from where she was transferred to the Oshakati State Hospital where she later died, on Saturday. The suspect is arrested and is in police guard at Oshikuku hos pital where he is admitted. Police investigations into the matter continue. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the opening of applications for the programme to encourage young researchers to finance research projects for the period 2024-2025. The is one of the mechanisms for funding research activities aimed primarily at young researchers at the beginning of their careers, in all scientific disciplines, in order to promote their scientific excellence. The value of the grant to finance the research project is 200,000 dinars. Applicants must register their projects on a temporary online platform https://bit.ly47Ksynf by midnight on April 1, at the latest. The Ministry of Higher Education will evaluate the research projects on the basis of their quality and scientific merit. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Nkawkaw District Court has remanded 37 accused persons into Police custody over the attack on Kwahu Begong Chief's Palace on February 4, 2024. A news brief from the Police said the accused persons were arraigned before the Court on five counts, including causing unlawful damage to properties following their arrest in connection with the attack. It said all the accused persons were to reappear before the court on February 23, 2024. Source: Ghana News Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has said her promotion to Cabinet strengthened the Namibian leadership's belief in the potential of youth. She noted that her appointment by President Nangolo Mbumba on Friday strengthened the direction set by the late President Hage Geingob, who had faith in the potential of young people. 'The trust that His Excellency has bestowed upon me only cements the trajectory that Dr Hage Geingob has begun, that he has trust and belief in the ability of young people in Namibia,' Theofelus told the media following her swearing in at State House on Friday. 'I think moving forward, any leader who wants the youth populace to have a seat at the decision-making table has to be intentional about it. And I am grateful that that journey has begun today.' Her promotion effectively makes her the youngest cabinet minister in Namibia. 'I think it is only God's doing. He has done it once, making me the youngest deputy minister, and now he has done it again, making me the youngest minister in the country. To ensure the effective delivery of services to the Namibian people, President Mbumba made adjustments to the Cabinet, as per Article 32 (3) (i) (cc) and (dd) of the Namibian Constitution. Mbumba also appointed John Mutorwa as Deputy Prime Minister. He retained his position as Minister of Works and Transport. According to the presidency, Mutorwa will assist Prime Minister Saarah Kuugongelwa-Amadhila with disaster risk management, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. 'Our duties and responsibilities, whether it is the position of deputy prime minister or minister, are to assist in carrying out our responsibilities for the remainder of the term of office of our departed Dr Hage Geingob. And that is what I will do, and that is what I will continue to do,' Mutorwa told the media at State House. The former minister of information and communication technology, Dr. Peya Mushelanga, is now the Minister of International Relations and Cooperati on. The presidency said Mushelenga is, among others, entrusted with the primary functions of formulating, promoting, and executing Namibia's foreign policy and managing bilateral, regional, and international relations. He replaced former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is now Namibia's vice president. Former broadcaster and regional councillor Modestus Amutse said his appointment as deputy minister of information and communication technology came as a surprise. 'Indeed, I was not notified, but that is the order of the day in politics. You can expect anything to happen within the lifecycle of politics. I sincerely appreciate it because I had not foreseen that I would occupy a portfolio as deputy minister of information and communication technology, But I appreciate the president for trusting me and, of course, the Namibian people with the responsibility of information and communication,' Amutse said. Source: The Namibia Press Agenc y