A Critical Assessment of the Role of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in the Socio-Economic Development of the Asɔgli State from 1981 to 2014

Abstract

Asɔgli has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of the ministry of the EP Church, Ghana (EPCG) since the establishment of the church in Asɔgli in 1859. In spite of the conspicuous EPCG projects one sees when travelling around the country particularly in Asɔgli, there is no single well researched academic work that has compiled and documented these projects. This study, which began in May 2014, was thus conducted to do a critical assessment of the role of the EPCG in the socio-economic development of the Asɔgli State with a particular focus on the period 1981 to 2014 – the period which captured the entire moderatorship of the Very Rev. Professor Noah Komla Dzobo, the 9th moderator of the EPCG. As a socio-historical study, the historical research method was employed to retrieve data from primary and secondary historical sources. Data collected on past events that gave a holistic account of what really transpired in the past was systematically examined. The research discovered that the EPCG’s role in the socio-economic development of Asɔgli was all encompassing – spiritual and moral development, formal education, hospitality & housing, agricultural services, health & healing services, projects of EPDRA and job creation. The study also discovered that the church has over the years collaborated with Asɔgli for the socio-economic development of the people even though there were still areas of disagreements between the two based on some agelong traditional beliefs and practices. In spite of the tremendously phenomenal achievements of the church, in 1991 she was hit catastrophically by her greatest schism ever which split the church into two leaving myriad of negative consequences and bitter lessons moving into the future. Respect for constitutionality and democratic tenets, improving transparency and accountability in church administration and management and keen involvement of church leadership in spiritual renewal in the areas of bible study and prayer, have been recommended for adoption and implementation.