History Of The Catholic Charismatic Renewal In Accra

A. Initial Streams

It is known that the Holy Spirit Sisters started the first prayer group around 1971 and 1972. This group eventually got localized at St. Maroun’s Parish and was under the leadership of Rev. Sr. Maria now in Botswana. By 1977, the group dwindled in membership and eventually stopped operating because of its rigid approach to prayer meetings.

B. The “Big Six”

In June 1976, a group of students of the UST (Kumasi) who were graduating that year underwent a “Commissioning Service” organized by the Prayer Group at the Centre for Spiritual Renewal under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Sievers. At this service which had its theme: John 15:16 “You did not choose me; I chose you and commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” a lot of encouragement was given to them and they were expected more or less to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which was then only a few years old. By Divine Providence 6 of these students all had their National Service Postings in Accra and therefore found themselves in Accra in the latter part of 1976. Some of them joined the St. Maroun’s Prayer Group but became less enthusiastic of the group for reasons stated above.

The students had a sense of “wanting to do something” i.e. forming their own prayer group, but the overwhelming problems of starting life in Accra.- accommodation, transport and financial difficulties – became convenient excuses. 1977 therefore passed without any concrete action. In early 1978 Rev. Fr. Sievers, worried over the lack of activity of the “Accra Students” came down to Accra and severely reprimanded them for having let the Lord down. He told them that the Lord was the Lord of their problems and that with faith and confidence in Him all problems militating against the formation of a prayer group could be overcome.

It was at this meeting that the group was also informed of the impending visit of Ralph Martin, the then Director of the International Communications Office of the Charismatic Renewal and the role that the group was expected to play in receiving him and bringing him to Kumasi. With this encouragement, an approach was made to the Bishop and later to the then Cathedral Administrator – Rev. Fr. Thornton – who permitted the use of the pews next to the sanctuary for a prayer meeting.

The first meeting was held on 23^rd March 1978 with all six students present. They were – George Musey, Godfred Forson, Charles Asirifi, Philip Kumako, Jacob Aziaka and James Amesawu. This pioneer group is now referred to as the “Big Six” A week later Ralph Martin and Gerry Rauch arrived in Ghana.

Even though most of their activities centered in Kumasi, they finally spent two days in Accra where they encouraged and strengthened the Accra Group. For lack of a suitable place for a praying over, the back of the Cathedral was eventually chosen for it. After all God is everywhere.

Revitalized from the ministration of the American brothers the Group started inviting other interested Catholics to its meetings. However, the unfamiliar manner of Charismatic Prayer, i.e. clapping of hands, spontaneous prayer, gospel songs, etc. started attracting the displeasure of the Cathedral Authorities. One of the priests once even invited the Cathedral Administrator to come and see a group of ‘madmen’ praying in the sanctuary. This eventually led to the movement of the Group from the sanctuary but the Authorities did not decline a request for the use of the Parish Hall then under construction for the continuation of the prayer meetings. Without any chairs except for wawa boards and blocks in a dust-laden environment, the group now began to enjoy the freedom of the spirit much to the amazement of the Cathedral Authorities who had thought that the harsh environment would rather drive the group away. The Assistant parish priest of the Cathedral once almost stopped a prayer meeting in his belief that the Renewal did not conform to Catholic Doctrine. The Bishop later rebuffed attempts to stop the group since he had earlier given his blessing.

The American Trip

One of the fruits of Ralph Martin’s visit was an invitation to 4 of the “Big Six” to visit the US in October, 1978 to experience at first hand what the Lord was doing in the Renewal. The four – George Musey, Godfried Forson, Charles Asirifi and Philip Kumako visited the word of God community in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the People of Praise Community in South bend, Indiana, and St. Anthonisus Parish in Newark, New Jersey. The experience was so profound that they returned with renewed zeal and dedication and set themselves to build the Charismatic Renewal in Accra.

The initial goal on return was to work towards the establishment of a Covenant Community along the model seen in the U.S Even though this did not eventually materialize, the structures put in place to attain it nevertheless firmly established the Renewal in Accra. Among the “Big Six’’ there were weekly sharing of members lives, bi-monthly meals in homes, appointment of personal heads to counsel on members’ personal lives, etc. After the first life in the spirit seminars had been organized in 1980, the group started to grow steadily and to form leaders and lead members into a deeper committed life in the Lord. There were instituted monthly leadership formation programmes and the establishment of Sharing Groups. These Sharing Groups spread over the city and became the pivot around which the Renewal grew.

At this stage the group began to pray for a name for the community and it was with much joy and excitement that the Lord led it Rev. 21,23 “and the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it for the glory of God is its light and its lamp is the Lamp”. Hence the name “Light of Christ Community”

The Great Catholic Standard Debate

While the Cathedral group was establishing itself another prayer group got started at Achimota Parish. This group led by the late Rev. Fr. Addy had support from the late Owusu-Boateng and Price Amuah who were then members of the Cathedral Group. The Achimota Group by the middle of 1981 experienced such a phenomenal growth that it literally took the centre stage in the propagation of the Renewal; people flocked there in their numbers to satisfy both their curiosity as well as their spiritual thirst. Unfortunately, there were many Catholics who were also naturally feeling very uneasy.

It was unheard of for Catholics to pray spontaneously exercise Charismatic gifts and sing spiritual songs and this was causing a great scare among the faithful. Many articles appeared in the Catholic Standard with arguments for and against the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The debate culminated in an Editorial of the paper that called for the Bishops Conference to speak. At the July 1981 Bishops Conference meeting at Cape Coast, the Bishops finally spoke in favour of the Renewal and encouraged it to be integrated into the church. In October, that same year Rev. Fr. Ernest Sievers who until then had been the unofficial leader of the Charismatic Renewal was formally appointed by the Bishops as the First National Co-ordinator for prayer groups.

Growth and Expansion

One of the first tasks of the National Co-ordinator on his visit to Accra in November 1981 was to handle a complaint from the Cathedral Administrator about the increasing numbers of the Prayer Group members from different parishes to the Cathedral but over whom the Administrator had no pastoral responsibility. Without consulting the leadership of the prayer group, the Co-ordinator and the Administrator decided that the Prayer Group should decentralize and move into the local parishes. Though this was the group’s long-term objective the leadership protested against it and it took the co-ordinator considerable time in convincing the leaders to agree to this decision. They found the summit of Mount Tabor too comfortable to descend from and get down to work in the local parishes. Little did the group however know that it was a decision that the Lord himself had made. For soon thereafter local groups started forming –Dansoman, Mamprobi, Nima, Kpehe, St. Marouns, Korle Bu, Tema, Kaneshie and Cathedral in addition to Madina and Achimota groups that had earlier started. With prayer groups localized, membership grew and many Catholics found in the renewal a real satisfaction to the thirst they were experiencing. The group however came together once a month for city prayer meetings as a means of keeping aglow the spirit of love and unity.

Communication with the clergy started increasing and meetings were held with the Bishop half yearly. A significant feature of our meetings is what we may call the “Gamalian advice” he always gave us that we should not be discouraged by any criticisms and opposition in our efforts as nobody could stop us if the Renewal was a work of God. Transformed lives became the convincing factor about the genuiness of the Renewal especially in the area of sacramental life.

Weddings became the order of the day especially among the leaders and special ministries sprang up to help with members’ weddings. It was understood that it was the regularization of many marriages that convinced the Bishops Conference to approve of the Charismatic Renewal.

STRUCTURES

Initial Structures

In these early years, the central authority of the Renewal in Accra was vested in “The Central Committee” under the leadership of Bro. George Musey. This was the forerunner of the present D.S.T. It had two (2) representatives from each of the ten parish groups. The committee met monthly and became the means for giving direction to the Renewal in Accra. By November 1982, zonal groups had also emerged.

Apart from Madina and Tema, which constituted zones in themselves the remaining eight groups, formed (4) zones of two (2) groups each. The Achimota Group was initially not a member of the Central Committee primarily because of differences between the Committee and the late Rev. Fr. Addy.

Support was also given for the organization of ministries with Bros. Forson heading the Healing, Jacob and later Addae Owusu Leading, Amegashitsi, Music, Mike Agyekum Books and Tape and Musey, Teaching Ministries.

Apart from the brothers and sisters mentioned above other leaders played prominent roles in the initial years of the Renewal. Some of these were:

Steve Cosmos (the first to be invited to join the Big Six) Dzidah, Francis Damush all of Nima
Patrick Gomashie, Lithur and Avle all of Madina
Abebrese, Mortty, Owusu Achaw and the Addae of Kaneshie,
Anna Quarshie, Mr. & Mrs. Ackumey, Bobie, the Allotey Sisters all of Mamprobi,
The Nyakus, Kwofies, Arthurs of Dansoman
Adjor, the late Buckle (father of Bishop Buckle) Tina Ntriwah (now Mrs. Twum Barimah who did all the secretarial work) all of the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
Anorld Smends, Georgina Owusu Fordwour, Joana Appiah all of St. Marouns.
The late Prince Amuah, the late Owusu Boateng, Peter Dzagbo all of Achimota.
Late Paul Asiamah, Peter Tevie-Tay, the late Rev. Fr. Lawrence Duho all of Kpehe.
Boateng Antwi, Boateng of Korle Bu
Mr. & Mrs. John Tetteh of Tema
The wives of the Big Six

International Contacts

The approval of the Renewal by the Bishops Conference set the National Co-ordinator looking afield for support in setting up national structures and offices. Accra was therefore privileged to welcome a team of 4 brethren from the Caribbean in August 1982 to conduct a national seminar for leaders of the Renewal in Kumasi. The Accra leaders participated actively in this seminar and later hosted the team in four different localities in Accra for the purpose of learning more from their experience.

A second seminar by the same team in Kumasi in May 1984, in which Accra also participated, led to the production of the present Life in the Spirit Seminar Manuals. The Caribbean infusion enriched the Accra Groups a great deal, with one of our sisters – Georgina Owusu Fordwour eventually spending sometime in Trinidad to familiarize herself with life in the Renewal there. She later returned to contribute her lot to the Renewal.

As a result of the National Structures put in place after the Caribbean visit Mr. George Musey who was by then the leader of the Light of Christ Community was formally appointed in 1982 by the them Bishop as the Co-ordinator for the Charismatic Renewal in Accra-Tema. In this capacity, he also served on the National Serve Team of the Renewal and was one of the 3 National delegates which participated in the International Leaders conference of the Charismatic Renewal in Rome in May 1984. Similarly, Bros. Bernard Asante and Gottfried Forson represented the Accra Group in the 1993 International leaders Retreat in Assisi, Italy.

Accra was also privileged to host two directors of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office in Rome namely – Rev. Fr. Tom Forest in December 1980 and Rev. Fr. Fio Mascarenhas in July 1983. These directors encouraged, strengthened the group, and exposed it to the great work that the Lord was doing in the Renewal worldwide.

Meanwhile Providence blessed the Accra Prayer Groups with the arrival of Archbishop Ivans Dias as Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana in 1982.

Within days of his arrival the Archbishop, who was an active member of the Renewal in Rome set himself to revitalize the Renewal in Accra. He held numerous formation programmes, visited all the then prayer groups in Accra and by his active participation and support literally dispelled the notion that people had that the Renewal was not Catholic.

It is worthy at this stage to note that it was Archbishop Ivan Dias who supported and encouraged the current Chaplain Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell when the latter embraced the Renewal in 1984. Fr. Campbell’s predecessor Chaplain was Rev. Fr. Visser who in the early years of the Renewal shepherded the movement. He is well remembered for his Masses in the charismatic vein and a tragedy, which nearly befell the Renewal when five leaders on their way to Madina to welcome him back to Ghana were involved in an accident on the Airport Road on the 23rd of May, 1982.

The Consolidating Years 1988-1998

This period first saw the administration of Br. Joseph Yegbe as Co-ordinator in 1987. Long before he could serve his full 3 year term, he was transferred out of Accra and his deputy Bro. John Twum Barima acted as co-ordinator until a fresh election brought in Bro Bernard Asante in 1988. He served until 1993 when Bro Steve Cosmas Goncalvaz became the new co-ordinator. The then Co-ordinator, Bro Francis Ahiekpor took over from Bro. Steve in 1996.

The Diocesan Team which was the executive body was re-structured with two representatives coming from each of the six newly created zones with the Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, SVD as a member. Next came the Diocesan Service Team with 3 representatives from each parish with responsibility for general and spiritual direction for the Renewal.

Presently, the CCR in the Archdiocese has expanded to cover nine (9) Zones with Zonal Service Teams co-ordinating and Zonal Chaplains.

Visit of Marcy Simons

Marcy Simon Ministries visited Accra again and met with the ADST on the 13^th of July 2006. They shared the word with us and took members through Inner Healing. Subsequents visits by Marcy and Pauline enabled them to meet the Women in the Renewal to encourage and build them up in the faith.

Renewal Ministries

Two (2) members of the Renewal Ministries, Rev. Fr. Francis and Mr. Brent Heizer of the USA also visited Accra and met with some of the Renewal Leaders at Legon in October 2006. In August 29-30 2009 Br. Brent and team visited Accra and the team had a session with members of the Healing & Deliverance Ministry. On Sunday August 30 the team facilitated an Archdiocesan Prayer meeting/Healing session at St. Theresa’s church, Kaneshie.

ICCRS Conferences in Rome

Eleven (11) members of the Renewal in the Archdiocese attended the ICCRS Conference held from 3^rd to 11^th June 2006 in Rome, and since then,

Conference and Celebrations

Normally 5th Anniversaries of organizations are not celebrated but the presence of the Pro Nuncio in Accra in 1983 gave the group an opportunity to celebrate its 5^th Anniversary and used the Nuncio to attract publicity. The theme for the celebration was “Here I am Lord send me” Is. 6:-8. The Nuncio’s presence attracted many Catholics to our activities and eventually became members. The 10^th Anniversary was also celebrated in 1988 under the administration of Bro Bernard Asante with a number of activities culminating in the 1^st Diocesan congress at Tema Secondary School.

Meanwhile in 1986 Accra through its two representatives – Bros. Forson and Addae Owusu actively planned the 1^st National Leaders Conference of the Renewal in Kumasi. Over 100 leaders attended from Accra and through the support and the diligent work of the Accra Group, Accra became a real force to reckon with in national affairs.

Bro. George Musey eventually stepped down as the Co-ordinator for the Accra-Tema Groups in 1987 as a result of increasing work load and thus ended what can aptly be described as the pioneering years of the Renewal.

Formal Launch of 40^th Anniversary of the Renewal in Ghana: The National Office tasked the Accra Archdiocesan Service Team to set a Committee in place to organize the launch of the 40^th Anniversary of the Renewal in Ghana

On the day of the launch, the then National Chairman, Mr. Bernard Asante, the National Director Mr. Anthony Osei-Assibey and His Team joined a number of members at the Christ the King Chapel, near the Flag Staff House, Accra for the launch. It was a joyous occasion. The Vicar-General of the Accra Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adoboli stood in for the Archbishop, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle as the Guest of Honour. The Anniversary Logo was unveiled. The Vicar-General, the Archdiocesan Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, the National Chairman Mr. Benard Asante and the Chairman for the occasion, Br. Francis Ahiekpor and his wife supported the wives of the big six to cut the Anniversary Cake which was donated by the wives of the Big Six.

PHYSICAL CHANGES

Accra Archdiocesan Secretariat: An initial decision taken to acquire a permanent Secretariat for the Renewal led to the renting of a flat at Kaajanno, South La Estates. This was later abandoned because of legal problems. Work started on the Secretariat Building at St. Paul Parish, Kpehe in 1994, which was dedicated on and serves as the Accra Archdiocesan Secretariat running the CCR in the Archdiocese. The CCR is grateful to the Priest who was then in charge of the Parish, Rev. Fr. Apeasi and for all Priests who have since served as Parish Priests after him,including Very Rev Fr. Francis Adoboli, now the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Very Rev. Fr. Ted Nelson-Adjakpey, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Rocky Hesse.

Holy Spirit Retreat Centre, Kuntunse

In the same 1994, the Leaders of the Renewal conceived a dream of having a place for silent prayer as we are popularly noted for our shouting; to retreat, reflect and meditate on challenging issues concerning our spiritual growth.

During a search for a piece of land, the leaders finally settled on Kuntunse Satellite. In 1997 the process of documentation of the land started. On the 9^th of March 2002 the late Archbishop Emeritus of Accra, Most. Rev. Dominic Kodwo Andoh with Rev. Father Francis Adoboli, now the Vicar General of Accra, performed the sod-cutting ceremony for work to begin at the Retreat Centre. The late Archbishop planted a mango seedling on the land. Unfortunately, when the land was being cleared for development to begin, the plant was cut down. Strangely enough, when the leadership were thinking of the kind of trees to plant, mango seedlings came to mind. Today there are mangoes all around the Centre in memory of the Late Archbishop Emeritus. (Can we please observe a minute’s silence in his memory).

The centre is run by the Administration of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Currently, the place is used for Retreats, formations of our members, both adults, youth and children. Archdiocesan Pentecost Prayer meetings and Provincial Meetings are held there. Parishes, churches and individuals (Catholic and Non-Catholic) also visit the centre from time to time for their retreats.

Funding of Kuntunse Project: The project is funded from contributions from members in the deaneries and individuals Catholics in the parishes. Our Spiritual Directors over the years have also supported in their own small ways.

Liturgical Calendar and Programme of Activities: In 1995, the ADST started producing a liturgical calendar which contained the programme of activities of the Renewal in the Archdiocese and the leaders in the various Zones and ADST members. The main purpose was to encourage members to have access to the daily readings and also promote unity among zones. This has continued to date.

National Cloth: In 2004 the ADST came up with the production of cloth to be used by members as a means of identification which was adopted by the National office as a national cloth.

Formation Programmes and the Development of Ministries

While efforts were made to develop all ministries the Healing, Teaching and Leading Ministries, Music received the greatest attention during this period. The Music Ministry was re-organised with the acquisition of new instruments. With the collaborative effort of Rev. Fr. Adamfo of the Kpadu Parish and later an American Lay Preacher, the Healing and Deliverance Ministry was revitalized and today it continues to be one of the means by which the Lord’s power and mercy are experienced among Catholics.

The D.S.T. formation programmes continued over the period but one cannot overlook the contribution of Mercy and Pauline from St. Louis, Missouri – USA. Their Ministration especially those to women went a great way to open up our women folk to the realm of the spirit.

In terms of Spiritual Programmes beyond the normal activities organized by the parish group. the D.S.T. during this period in conjunction with then Rev. Fr. Buckle organized the first Siege of Jericho – an intensive prayer based on the Rosary. Priests who were interested in the Charismatic Renewal were also taken through a life in the Spirit Seminars at Nsawam. This programme helped a great deal in opening up a good number of priests to what the Lord was doing in the Renewal.

As a means of getting integrated more into the church, the D.S.T. in 1993 sponsored the first Pentecost Novena at the Holy Spirit Cathedral. The programme was so successful that it continued to be organized yearly at the Cathedral until it was localized in all parishes in 1996 when a number of priests complained about the lack of participation of parishioners in similar programmes at their parishes because of their flocking to the Cathedral.

Presently, this has been adopted by the local parishes and most parishioners also join in the Pentecost Sunday prayer meetings.

Over the years, the D.S.T. actively promoted the Biblical Apostolate with the organization of several Bible seminars as a means of forming members in scriptures. Youth camps were also organized as a means of forming and getting the youth committed to Christ.

Ministries: The ministries in the CCR in the Archdiocese presently includes the Prophetic, Intercessory, Women, Youth, Evangelization, Teaching, Healing and Deliverance and Music. They are a great support to the Church and are active in the various parishes.

Council of Elders: In 2011, the Council of Elders numbering 18 was

formed and assigned the role of advising the ADST on any pertinent

issues affecting the Renewal in the Archdiocese.

Open Air Crusades

To think of Catholics organizing Open Air Crusades is like seeing the living being dropped out of the planet Mars. However equipped with the basic evangelistic tools, members of the Renewal moved out of the person to person evangelistic style and launched the first ever open air crusade in 1988 at Nima. The effect was so profound that these crusades have been held yearly since then. It is worthy to note here that in 1994 and 1995 open crusades were held with Rev. Fr. Jack Soulsby of Australia at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle where the lame walked, the blind saw, the deaf heard and the dumb spoke. As part of the efforts to train more people to undertake evangelistic work, the D.S.T in 1994 sponsored the first two members to the “Know and Tell School of Evangelisation” at Takoradi. Other Renewal members have since then trained at the school and are helping in no small measure to spread the gospel.

Breaking out the traditional Catholic shell, the D.S.T. has sponsored Jesus Walks since 1994 for the purpose of not only of proclaiming the word but also raising funds as happened during the Accra Diocesan Centenary Celebrations of 1993 to support the church.

The CCR organized an Archdiocesan Crusade, where Rev. Fr. Kizito Abizi was invited to speak.

Deaneries now organise crusades and this is mostly planned and organized by CCR members at the deanery level.

The Legon Crisis

The period under review was not without its sour spots prominent among which was the crisis in the Legon Prayer Group. A faction of the group started operating in a manner that deviated from Catholic Teachings as well as guidelines governing the operations of prayer groups. Efforts to bring them to order including the personal intervention of the Archbishop yielded no results.

The faction eventually broke off to form its own ministry. With peace at last, the Legon Prayer Group has since been re-organised and contributing effectively to the spiritual development of students at the university.

AFRICAN SUB-COMMITTEE OF ICCRS

In August 2005, the Interim African Sub-Committee of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (AFSCI of ICCRS) met in Accra, Ghana. The meeting provided an opportunity for the brethren from both Anglophone and Francophone countries to share ideas which sought in some measure to unify the CCR in Africa. Those present at the meeting were:

Mr. Oreste Pesare – Director, ICCRS, Rome

Mr. Jean Pliya (Benin)-Chairman (AFSCI) & Rep.,Francophone Africa, ICCRS Council

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Tusiime – Vice Chairman (AFSCI) Rep. Anglophone Africa, ICCRS Council

Dr. Alex Lengeju (Tanzania) – Rep. East Africa Sub-Region

Mr. Joseph Bucknor (Nigeria) – Rep. West Africa Sub-Region I

Gricelia Mkumba – Rep. South African Sub-Region

Rev. Fr. Ernest Sievers – Advisor to AFSCI

Mrs. Messedem Julienne (Cameroun) – Central French African Sub-Region

Mr. Compaore Roch (Burkina Faso) – West French African Sub-Region

Mr. Bernard Asante (Ghana) – then Chairman, CCR, Ghana Archdiocesan Co- Mr. Michael Kra-Gyamera (Ghana) then CCR Archdiocesan Co-ordinator of Accra.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided that a maiden Pan African Conference be held in Accra, Ghana in July 2007. Ghana was assigned the task of collaborating with the interim members of African Sub-Committee of ICCRS and submit proposals for the implementation of all aspects of the conference for consideration and approval by AFSCI.

1^ST PAN AFRICAN CONFERENCE

In view of the decision taken at the AFSCI meeting in August 2005, the National Office of the CCR in Ghana mandated the Accra Archdiocesan Service Team to form a Steering Committee to plan and implement the 1^st Pan African Conference in the year 2007. The Accra Archdiocesan Service Team therefore set up a Steering Committee with the Convener being Mr. George Musey to plan the Conference which was launched on Saturday 14^th October 2006 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra Archdiocese. The Guest of Honour was Most Rev. Joseph Kweku Essien, the then Bishop of Wiawso.

The 1^st Pan African Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was held at the University of Ghana, Legon from July 18 – 26, 2007 and the closing Mass was held at the forecourt of the Statehouse. The theme was: “Africa Family of God, be one and go forth, so that the world may believe in Jesus (cf Jn.17:21).

As part of the general preparations for the success of the Event, the National Service Team (NST) of the CCR directed that a prayer chain prior to the Conference be conducted. This was dubbed “PRAYER TRAIN” which started from the Wa diocese towards the south through other dioceses and was scheduled to reach Accra Archdiocese from Keta-Akatsi on the 29^th January and remain until 25^th February 2007. The Prayer Train involved 24 hours of uninterrupted intercessory prayer each day for the success of the Pan African Conference; the activities of the 50^th Anniversary celebrations of Ghana’s nationhood and the church.

Accra was zoned for this exercise, and the following parishes where the prayer Train (Intercessory Prayer) was conducted were Kassie/Ada, Bator, Ashiaman, Tema Com.2, Sakumonoo, Legon/Madina, Kpehe, Kaneshie, Dansoman Star of the Sea and Holy Spirit Cathedral .

The Conference was very successful with about 2000 delegates attending from various countries in Africa. In attendance were Oreste Pesare, Director of ICCRS based at the Vatican and Mrs. Michelle Moran, President of ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services). Cardinal Peter Kwadwo Appiah Turkson the then Primate of Ghana celebrated the Eucharist to crown the Conference at the forecourt of the Statehouse. Since then, there has been a second Conference in Cameroun, a third at Kampala, Uganda and a fourth recent one in Lome Togo, this 2018.

Remembering Our Late Priests, Brothers and Sisters:

Rev. Fr. Hans van Kempen, SVD who served as the Zonal Chaplain of Zone One in 2006.

Br. Philip Kumako: Br. Philip was a one of the Big Six and also served on the ADST as the Project Co-ordinator

The late Br. Paul Anthonio was not only a past DST member, but also worked assiduously serving on the Thanksgiving and Fundraising Committee, the Renewal National Cloth Committee and the Steering Committee of the 1^st Pan African Event

Mr. Joseph Yegbe who served as the ADST Co-ordinator for a short period due to his transfer to

Mr. John O. Twum –Barimah who stood in for some time when Br. Yegbe was transferred.

PAST AND PRESENT LEADERS OF THE RENEWAL

TENURE OF OFFICE	CO-ORDINATORS AND CORE MEMBERS	POSITIONS
1978 – 1982	THE BIG SIX MR. GEORGE MUSEY MR. GODFRIED FORSON MR. JACOB AZIAKA MR. PHILIP KUMAKO (LATE) MR. CHARLES ASIRIFI MR. JAMES AMESAWU
1982 – 1987	MR. GEORGE MUSEY MR. GODFRIED FORSON MRS. TINA TWUM-BARIMAH MR. CHARLES ASIRIFI MR. JOSEPH ADDAE-OWUSU VERY REV. FR. JOSEP VISSER	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
1987 – 1993	MR. JOSEPH YEGBE MR. JOHN O. TWUM-BARIMAH MR. BERNARD ASANTE MR. JOSEPH ADDAE-OWUSU MR. JOSEPH BOATENG-ANTWI VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR AG. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
1993 – 1995	MR. BERNARD ASANTE MR. STEPHEN COSMAS GONCALVES MR. KWESI BISMARCK JOSEPH ADDAE-OWUSU VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
1995 – 2000	MR. STEPHEN COSMAS GONCALVES MR. JOHN TETTEH MR. KWESI BISMARCK MRS. MAVIS BENNEH MR. JOSEPH ADDAE-OWUSU VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2000 – 2002	MR. FRANCIS AHIEKPOR MR. CHARLES ANTWI-KONADU ALEXIS ASUINURA MS. GRACE AMONOO MR. CHARLES ADIYIAH-KUSI MS. PAULA MENSAH VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2002 – 2005	MR. CHARLES ANTWI-KONADU JOHN O. TWUM-BARIMAH (LATE) MISS GIFTY BOAKYE MRS. LYDIA J. ANTHONIO MS. GRACE AMONOO (LATE) MR. ADOLF C. AKWETEA MRS. AGNES ATTIGAH MR. PHILIP KUMAKO VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2005 – 2008	MR. MICHAEL KRA-GYAMERA MR. PRINCE FORSON MRS. BEATRICE NORMANYO/MRS. LYDIA ANTHONIO MR. ROBERT AMPOMAH MR. DOMINIC BILSON MRS. AGNES ATTIGAH MR. PHILIP KUMAKO (LATE) VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2008 – 2011	MR. MICHAEL KRA-GYAMERA MR. PRINCE FORSON MRS. LYDIA ANTHONIO MRS. MARION AFUA SABEA AMUZU MR. DOMINIC BILSON MS. MARY BOATENG VERY REV. FR. ANDREW CAMPBELL, SVD	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2011 – 2017	MR. SIMON ATTIGAH MR. BARNABAS K. CUDJOE MR. EMMANUEL TENDER MR. DOMINIC BILSON MRS. GEORGINA ADJOKA VERY REV. FR. RAYMOND OSEI-TUTU VERY REV. FR. ANDREWS OBENG VERY REV. FR. SAMUEL FILTON-MENSAH	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
2017 – TO DATE	MR. BARNABAS K. CUDJOE MR. ALFRED SABIE MR. JAMES DORGBEFU MR. HAROLD ASSOU-DODJI MR. JOSEPH QUIST MR. JOSHUA DORDOYE VERY REV. FR. SAMUEL FILTON-MENSAH	CO-ORDINATOR ASST. CO-ORDINATOR SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR