20th anniversary report of the anglican young peoples' association - st. stephen...

A.Y.P.A

20TH

ANNIVERSARY / YOUTH WEEK

CELEBRATION REPORT

PRESENTED TO

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (P.C.C)

ST. STEPHEN ANGLICAN CHURCH, TEMA

AUGUST, 2012

20TH ANNIVERSARY /YOUTH WEEK REPORT

20th ANNIVERSARY/YOUTH WEEK REPORT

“EBENEZER; THUS HOW FAR THE LORD HAS BROUGHT US IN HIS VINEYARD, TWO DECADES AND BEYOND”

Page 1

Content Page

Introduction 2

Report on activities 3

Youth week committee members 20

Acknowledgements 21

Financial Statement 22

Appendices 25

About A.Y.P.A 27



Page 2

INTRODUCTION

This document presents a report to the Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen Anglican church on the year

2012 youth week/20th Anniversary celebrations of the Anglican Young Peoples Association (A.Y.P.A).

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

The question of how to attract and keep our young people close to the Church is one of major concern in our

troubled age. To remain indifferent to this problem can only be regarded as a grave sin and is an indication of

soul-destroying self-love. Every year special programmes are organized with focus on;

Promoting Christian fellowship and unity amongst the Youth.

Providing and offering effective leadership to the Youth of the Church.

Fulfilling the tenets of the Great Commission through Evangelism.

Building and enhancing the capacities of the Youth through its programmes

The year 2012 took a different mix. Apart from the annual youth week celebrations, the year also marked the

20th anniversary of the formation of A.Y.P.A in the St. Stephen Anglican Church Tema. We believe that two

decades in the life of the youth and the association is no mean a small achievement. This calls for celebrations.

Activities were held to commemorate this milestone. The 20th anniversary / Youth week was held on the theme

‘Ebenezer; Thus how far the Lord has brought us in his vineyard, two decades and beyond’

ACTIVITIES

Events for the 20th Anniversary/Youth week included: health walk, revival, family summit, performing arts, study

tour and youth church service. Various resource persons spoke on various topics and addressed many issues.

They urged participants to be committed to the work of God and serve the church in their fullest capacity.

Topics discussed were: experiencing the miracle of God, how to access the Glory of God, the oil of joy/gladness,

etc. The youth were praised by all and sundry for their dedicated service and commitment to the church over

the years.

The 20th Anniversary/youth week brought together other parishioners within the Tema Metropolis. They

included; St. Albans Anglican Church, Holy Gabriel Anglican Church, Christ the King Anglican Church, St. Mary

Anglican Church, Presbyterian Churches in Tema, Bethel Methodist, Central Assemblies of God, Pentecost, First

Baptist, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Christ Embassy, Tema Joint Church etc.

We are very grateful for their presence.



Page 3

LAUNCHING AND UNVEILING OF LOGO

Francis Kofi Somuah – Chairman of the committee doing the launching John Essien assists with the launching

The 20th anniversary/youth week was officially launched on 1st July 2012 at the first and second mass

respectively. Programmes outlined for the celebrations were made known to the congregation. The theme for

the celebration was ‘Ebenezer; Thus how far the Lord has brought us in his vineyard, two decades and beyond.’

The official logo for the 20th anniversary was unveiled.

The official 20th anniversary logo



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HEALTH WALK

Good health and physical fitness is needed to go through

any activity. As a result, a health walk was organised on the

21st of July 2012 to put them in good shape and fit to go

through the 20th anniversary/youth week. Participants

walked through the principal streets of Tema with a brass

band possession and police escort. There was an ambulance

from Port Clinic to provide medical assistance for any

unforeseen contingency.

The walk was used as a platform to publicize the programmes for the anniversary. Flyers and handbills were

shared to the public.

Distributing flyers and handbills to the public

After the walk, participants were taken through aerobics at the forecourt of the church with Mr. Blankson and

John Essien as instructors.

The instructors at work (Mr. Blankson and John Essien)

Our mothers and fathers were not left out



Page 5

Going through the aerobics Ambulance from Port Clinic Brassband from St.Mary Anglican Church

REVIVAL

A three-day powerful revival dubbed ‘Spiritual

Empowerment’ was organised for the church. It was also

used as a plat form to thank God for how far He has

brought us. The preacher for the revival was Prophet

Joseph Adongo. The revival attracted people from various

churches within the Tema Metropolis.

Prophet Joseph Adongo’s message was on three main

areas; your miracle is at the door, seeing the Glory of the

Lord and The oil of joy. He said every great door has enemies (1st Cor 16:9), and in other to overcome our

enemies, we should pray and be empowered spiritually. In other to access God’s glory, he said we should have

faith, speak it out for our words are seeds, act our faith out, give willingly and live a good life.

The room was filled to capacity Participants praying for God’s grace

He said there are issues that provide miracles and one of them is joy or gladness. Anytime you become joyful

you become ‘Godful’. When you are joyful, life gets better but if you are depressed life gets bitter. Those who

celebrate problems do not get out of it (Deut. 28:47-48). In other to secure the joy or gladness of God Prophet



Page 6

Adongo gave seven steps to take. These are; singing and praising God, Being content with what you have, being

appreciative, getting rid of negative feelings and thoughts, refusing to dwell on the past, forgiving each other,

and enjoying life.

Everybody present felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit

Special prayers were said for the nation, the Anglican Communion and the church. Healing and Anointing service

was held on the third day. Prayers were also said for the youth who volunteered to paint the Tema General

Hospital. The Parish priests and the congregation prayed for God’s blessings on Prophet Joseph Adongo.

Canon Acquaye and Fr. Doodo praying for Prophet Adongo Prohet Adongo prays for the volunteers

Participants described the revival as relevant and successful because of the total transformation they

experienced in their lives and how it brought together various church congregations under one roof.

The room was filled with God’s Glory and the presence of the Holy Ghost was felt



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DONATION AND CLEAN UP EXERCISE To live a mark that will commemorate the 20th

anniversary, the youth on behalf of the church

refurbished the female medical ward of the Tema

General Hospital, donated several A.Y.P.A branded

white bed sheets and embarked on a clean-up

exercise. We believe these items will go a long way to

augment the various needs of the hospital and

alleviate the plight of patients of the hospital. It will also cement the friendship between St. Stephen Anglican

Church and the Tema General Hospital. The whole ward was painted, the ceilings were changed and roof

leakages were fixed.

Before After

Before After



Page 8

Before

After

We are very proud to say that, the Female Medical Ward, which we renovated, was adjudged the best ward in

the Hospital and the Hospital came first in the Peer review – an assessment of all government hospitals in the

greater Accra region by the Ghana Health Service.

The interior after painting Bed sheets that were donated The exterior after painting

(The female medical ward today)



Page 9

Francis Kofi Somuah (2nd left) in a pose with the volunteers John Essien (2nd left) in a pose with the volunteers

The donation and clean up exercise was broadcasted on the evening news of TV3 (12th

August 2012) and published

in the Daily Graphic and the Diocesan Voice. We are very grateful to everyone who made this happen.

Rev. Fr. H.N.D Doodo offering prayers Mr. Enoch Lartey cuts the tape

Rev. Fr. HND Doodo sprinkles Holywater around the ward Officials of the hospital expressing their gratitude



Page 10

Sweeping and weeding going on during the clean up

TV3 interviews president and vice president Francis Kofi Somuah interacts with the media (TV3 and Daily graphic)

A group picture of the priest, patron, youth and hospital officials after the donation



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YOUTH SERVICE

In the twenty-year history of the Anglican Young People’s

Association of the church, no youth from the association has

been allowed to preach during church service. We felt very

elated when the parish priests gave us the nod to give the

sermon during the Youth service. We could not wait but seize

the opportunity to adequately prepare and deliver the

sermon. The preacher for the day was John Essien. His

sermon was on the topic ‘Celebrating the Goodness of the

Lord’. Sermon for the day was taken from 1st Samuel 7:12, which talks about how Samuel together with the

Israelites acknowledged how far the Lord has brought them. The Israelites had great difficulty with the

Philistines, but God rescued them. In response, the people set up a large stone as a memorial for God’s great

help and deliverance. He said during tough times, we may need to remember the crucial turning points in our

past to help us through the present; as memorials can help us remember Gods past victories and gain

confidence and strength for the present. Therefore as youth of the church the memorials we leave to mark our

20th anniversary are the renovation at Tema General Hospital and the refurbishment of the Church’s Youth hall.

The youth was charged to be more involved in Gods work as it will bring blessings and grace upon their lives.

The day was used to congratulate all past presidents and executives who had held the mantle over the past two

decades. We constantly appreciate their efforts in building a strong foundation for the youth upon which we

stand today. The first President of the A.Y.P.A, Mr. De-cardi Nelson who is in his old age was there to grace the

occasion. We thank him very much for His presence and offering himself to lead the association during its

genesis.

The youth virtually took over all the roles of the church. Officiant for the day was Bro. Andrew Nii Attram.

Andrew Nii Attram was officiant for the day



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We are very grateful to the parish priests of the church for permitting us to exhibit our God given talent by

sharing the word of God to the congregation. We ask for God’s blessings upon the lives of our patrons, all past

Presidents (Mr. De-Cardi Nelson, Mrs. Lydia Wilson, Mrs. Grace Akwa, Bro. Robert Larbi-Mensah, Bro. Edward

Ofori Adjei, and Bro. Kofi Anderson) and executives for holding the mantle until this day and we commit all

present and future executives into God’s vineyard.

The day coincided with a fraternal visit of the National Executives of the National Union of Anglican Students

(N.U.A.S) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, who had come to raise funds

for the evangelistic ministry. We ask for God’s blessings upon and may He strengthen them to win more souls to

Christ for the growth of the church.

PERFORMING ARTS

In line with the new youth policy of the Anglican

diocese of Accra, a day was set aside for the children

to stage a performance to mark the youth week/20th

anniversary.

The new youth policy seeks to bring the following

youth associations [Anglican Young People Association

(A.Y.P.A), Anglican Sunday Schools Association

(A.S.S.A) and National Union of Anglican Students

(N.U.A.S)] together each time any of the mentioned

associations organises a programme. In recent years, there have not been enough collaboration in programmes

and activities amongst these associations. The new youth policy seeks to correct this.

To achieve this objective of the policy, the children service was offered a slot on our program to perform and be

fully part of our youth week celebrations. The children came in their numbers. Other parishes including the

children service of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church attended.

Choreography Drama Traditional Dance



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Performances for the evening included drama, choreography, poetry recitals and singing. We appreciate the

children service for honouring our invitation and thank all participants. Participants were refreshed after the

programme.

A section of the participants Poetry recitals



Page 14

FAMILY SUMMIT

Mrs. Barbera Asempa – resource person

The resource person for the evening was Mrs. Barbara Asempa social worker and parishioner at Ascension

Presbyterian Church, Community 9, Tema. She touched on the misunderstandings between the youth and

parents or guardians. Participants asked several questions and they were duly answered.

A section of participants

A participant asks a question



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STUDY TOUR

AKA WATER FALL BOTI WATER FALL (left - Female and right - Male)

In our effort to encourage the youth to learn more about their natural environment, we embarked on a study

tour to the Aka and Boti waterfalls located in the Akuapem and Yilo Krobo Districts of the Eastern region

respectively.

Tour guides were at hand to take us through the rich history of these areas and observe other fascinating

features around.

A tour guide at work The youth listen with rapt attention

Aside the waterfalls located at these areas, there are umbrella rocks, magnificent rock formations and features,

various trees and caves.

Strange tree ‘obour asabea’ foot print in a stone



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Caves and rock art well-structured rocks The umbrella rock

After hiking through the forest and rocks, we converged to make merry, network and share ideas.

Cutting of cake Popping of champagne There was a lot to eat

Brief History of Boti waterfall Boti falls is a 30m high waterfall in the Boti Forest Reserve about thirty minute east of Koforidua. A small hike

down stone steps takes you to the waterfall with a pool at the base, which is safe for swimming. Boti falls is

actually made up of two waterfalls. According to the local people, the big one is the male and the smaller one a

female. When the two merge, it is said that they are mating.

The waterfall was discovered by a white Roman Catholic Father, who was very instrumental in the construction

of the Roman Catholic school in the Boti area.

Entrance of Boti water fall The two room guest house built in 1961/62

The popularity of the Boti falls began in the early 1960’s when Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

visited the falls, and upon realising the potential and beauty the falls, he requested that a two room guesthouse

be built to accommodate visitors.



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Traditional beliefs and practices have it that, the following are prohibited in the Boti falls.

Women in their menstrual cycle

Golden ornaments should not be worn to the falls side

No soap bath should be done at the waterfall side

Goats are not be slaughtered at the waterfall side

Brief History of Aka waterfall

Little is known of the Aka waterfall, as it has not gain popularity amongst

many tourists. The Aka waterfall was discovered just nine years ago. Oral

account has it that, the Aka fall was a chance discovery. One of the

forefathers of the inhabitants got lost in the forest. Upon vigorous search

for days in the forest, they found the bone remains of their forefather

locked in the rocks of the waterfall. They realised that, their ancestor fell

into the river, which is the source of the Aka fall. That is how they

discovered the Aka waterfall.

The name ‘Aka’ which literally means ‘stack’ in English came as a result of the bone remains of their ancestor

getting stacked in the waterfall. They therefore named the waterfall AKA fall.

Summer hat for recreation Gold dripping out of the rocks Settled gold in the rocks



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THANKSGIVING SERVICE

A thanks giving service was held on

Sunday, 5th August 2012, to show

appreciation to the almighty God for our

lives and good health throughout the 20th

anniversary/Youth week activities. All

those who in diverse ways contributed to

the success of the 20th anniversary/youth

week celebrations were appreciated.

His Grace Rt.Rev.Fr.Dr. Offei Akrofi – Archbishop of West Africa and Bishop of Accra giving the sermon at the thanks giving service

The day coincided with the send-off ceremony for the Archbishop of the Province of West Africa and Bishop

of Accra as He retires from office. He gave the sermon for the day and prayed for the nation, the church and

the youth. Assorted items were presented as a form of appreciation to God on the alter at a great entrance.

The Bishop sits in stage to receive pleasantries some items offered at the great entrance

Parishioners who had contributed significantly to the church, the Tema Archdeaconry and the Accra

Diocese were honoured with the Bishop medal – the highest award of the Bishop. The Bishop and church

thanked them for their several years of dedicated service and selfless sacrifice. Their family members,

friends and well-wishers were present to grace the occasion.



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Mr. Enoch Lartey receives his award Mr. Hayford receives his award Mr. Isaac Mensah receives his award

KUDOS TO YOU – YOU REALLY DESERVE IT – WE ARE PROUD OF YOU A mini party was organised at the newly refurbished Youth hall in honour of the Bishop, award recipients

and the youth. The youth were the talk of the day as all speakers appreciated the good work of the youth to

the church.

The future is bright – Kudos to the youth

Dr. Nii Aryeh, Director of Port Medical Center and a parishioner congratulated the youth and asked the

church to give the youth the chance to perform but with control. Other parishioners who spoke encouraged

the youth to keep up with the good works they are doing. The church pledged its continuous support to the

youth.

Canon Victor Acquaye Dr. Nii Aryeh Mr. Enoch Lartey

(Everyone was grateful to the youth for their good works especially with the refurbishment of the youth hall.)



Page 20

His Grace Rr. Rev. Dr. Offei Akrofi – Archbishop and Primate of Africa in a pose with the youth at their 20th

anniversary thanksgiving service

THANK YOU…



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CENTRAL PLANNING COMMITTEE The under listed persons were appointed by the youth executives to organize and steer the affairs of the

20th anniversary/youth week celebrations. We are very grateful to them for their commitment and living

up to task.

1. Bro. Francis Kofi Somuah - Chairman

2. Sis. Yvone Ankrah - Vice Chairperson

3. Bro. J.P. Brown Jnr. - Secretary

4. Bro. J.E.P Brown - Financial secretary

5. Bro. Ashalley Anthony - Advisor

6. Bro. Edward Ofori Adjei - Music/Advisor

7. Bro. Andrew Attram - Advisor

8. Bro. Jeffery Aikins - Publicity/Printing

9. John Essien - Advisor (Servers guild)

10. Sis. Monica Sakyiama - Children Service

11. Sis. Aba Christian - Member (Brotherhood)

12. Bro. Jeffery Korankye - Member (Brotherhood)



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are very much grateful to the under listed persons for their contributions in kind and cash.

Parochial Church Council

Parish Priests

Church wardens

Dr. Nii Aryeh and Port Medical Center

Miss Delphina Jones

Mr. Isaac Blankson

Miss. Anniemarie Mensah

Mrs. Felicia Aggrey

Mr. Abraham Essien

Abel Acquaye

David Acquaye

Felix Palm

Fredrick Palm

Isaac Atumueku

Rose Blankson

Miss. Aba Essien

Miss Helen Lamptey

Nana Poma

Premaxks Communications Limited

29-29 Solutions limited

Tigie’s Decorations

Tema General Hospital

TV 3 Ghana Limited

Graphic Communication Group

Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) - Tema Regional Office

All the Guilds and Associations of the Church



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FINANCIAL STATEMENT

ANGLICAN YOUNG PEOPLE ASSOCIATION ST STEPHEN BRANCH TEMA COMMUNITY 10

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY/YOUTH WEEK CELEBRATIONS

RECEIPTS

NOTES

GH¢

Total receipts

1

15,112.35

EXPENSES

Transfer of fund for refurbishment of Youth hall

2,190.50

Donation

2

1,410.00

Refurbishment of Tema General

Hospital

3

3,678.00

Transportation

4

2,465.00

Publicity

5

1,198.00

Refreshment

6

535.00

Miscellaneous

7

1,121.10

TOTAL EXPENSES

12,597.60

FUND BALANCE

2,514.75

PREPARED BY;

JOSEPH EMMANUEL PETER BROWN (TREASURER)

APPROVED BY;

FRANCIS KOFI SOMUAH JOHN NANA KOJO ESSIEN (COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN/VICE PRESIDENT) (PRESIDENT) 22nd August 2012



Page 24

NOTES TO THE FUND ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENTS

1. RECEIPTS

GH¢

From church

5585.00 Collection from revival

7011.50

Collection from drama

100.85 Collection from family summit

85.00

Proceeds from trip

1630.00 Realization from the sale of T'Shirt

600.00

Donation from Mr A. Essien

100.00 TOTAL RECEIPTS

15112.35

2. DONATION Honorarium Prophet

1,000.00 Lacoste for protocol

360.00

Allowance for Police

50.00 TOTAL DONATION

1,410.00

3.REFURBISHMENT OF TEMA GENERAL HOSPITAL Painting Material

1,661.00

Painting brush

119.00 Carpentry work

434.00

Sign post and printing of bed sheet

280.00 Nose mask

10.00

Calico for bed sheets

224.00 Painting labour

650.00

Food for painters

260.00 Sewing of bedsheets

40.00

TOTAL

3,678.00

4.TRANSPORTATION For errands

60.00

For trip

1,650.00

Emergency for new buses

300.00 Extra errands of Yutong bus

50.00

To arrange bus for trip

5.00 Protocol for 10 members for

trip

200.00 Protocol for 5 parents for trip

100.00



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Half payments for 5 members for trip

100.00

TOTAL TRANSPORTATION

2,465.00

5. PUBLICITY T'Shirt production

800.00 Media from

Graphic

50.00 Media from TV3

160.00

Decoration of Youth Hall

120.00 Printing of A3 posters for trip

18.00

Glue

50.00

TOTAL PUBLICITY

1,198.00

6. REFRESHMENT Fruits for walk

90.00 After donation at Tema General Hospital

140.00

Performing arts

50.00 Sobolo drink

105.00

Light soup

150.00 TOTAL REFRESHMENT

535.00

7.MISCELLANEOUS Brassband

120.00

10% to Church from revival

701.10 Entrance fee at AKAH FALLS

130.00

Entrance fee at BOTI FALLS

170.00

TOTAL

1,121.10



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APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

PROGRAMMES FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY/YOUTH WEEK

Date Programme Resource Person Time/Venue

Sun. 1st July

Launching

Committee members

9:00am/Church Hall

Sat. 21st July

Health walk/fair

Church Congregation

6:00am/Church

forecourt Mon. – Wed.

23rd - 25th July

Revival

Prophet Joseph Adongo

6:00pm/Church Hall

Sat. 28th July Donation and Clean Up

Church congregation

6:00am Tema General Hospital

Sun. 29th July

Y O U T H S E R V I C E

Tue. 31st July

Performing arts

Children Service

6:00pm/Youth Hall

Thu. 2nd August

Family summit

Uncle Ebo White/ Mrs.

Barbera Asempa

6:00pm/Youth Hall

Sat. 4th August

Trip

AKA/BOTI Falls

6:00am

Sun. 5th August

Thanks giving

Youth of the Church

Church Hall



Page 27

APPENDIX 2

BUDGET

Item Break down Unit Price

GH¢

Amount

GH¢

Health walk/fair Fruits 100

Water (sachet and Bottled) 1 box and 12 bags 30

Publicity Posters, Banners,

handbills

800

Honorarium For resource

persons

1,100

Study tour Hiring of two

Yutong buses

1,500

Refreshment Clean up exercise,

Children service

350

Donation to Tema General

Hospital

refurbishment of

female medical

ward, bed sheets

and pillow cases

5,000

Accountable imprest

(Miscellaneous)

420

9,300



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ABOUT US – (THE A.Y.P.A)

THE GENESIS

Formed in Canada in 1902, the Anglican Young Peoples Association (A.Y.P.A) was introduced to Ghana in 1951

by Rev. Fr. Haruna Nelson. The first branch was established at the Saint Michael and All Angels Anglican Church

in Korle Gonno where he was the parish priest.

From a very humble beginning, the association grew very rapidly and by 1956, more branches had been formed.

The association was organised on national level and today has presence in eight dioceses (Accra, Koforidua, Ho,

Cape Coast, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Wiawso, Sunyani and Tamale) in the country. It is present in almost all

Anglican parishes throughout the country.

WHAT WE DO

We focus on increasing the effectiveness of the individuals, programmes and systems that support youth

development. We understand youth development principles and the need of young people.

We build capacity in educational, career, relationship, peer, marriage and health counselling. We also develop

capacity to handle troubled young people.

The association sets out to make young people firm in faith and ready to serve our Lord and His Church. The

association is centred on four principles ‘work, edification, fellowship and worship’. Our Motto is ‘For Christ and

the Church’.



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20th anniversary report of the anglican young peoples' association - st. stephen...

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