Nana Akufo-addo Visits Pentecost Convention Centre

The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, January 15, 2016 made a historic visit to the ultra-modern Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) located at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.

The presidential candidate of the leading opposition party was at the Centre to inspect the facility which is Ghana’s new purpose-built, world-class conference and event center. His visit coincided with the Church’s 5^th All Ministers and Wives’ Conference which was being held at the Centre.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his team which comprised the party’s Acting National Chairman, Freddy Blay; former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie aka Sir John, and Ken Ofori Atta, a leading member of the party among others, were highly impressed with the great infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre.

Addressing the church and the NPP officials, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, on behalf of the Church Welcomed Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage to the Centre.

Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah explained that the leadership of the Church usually invites government officials and other dignitaries to the Church’s General Council meetings, conventions and other official ceremonies, but not on that particular conference.

“This is a time of prayer and house cleaning exercise. Therefore, because of the polarization of politics in Ghana, when we heard of your [Nana Addo’s] visitation to the Centre our initial reaction was to say ‘please not this time, perhaps later.’

“But we also realized it would have been a mistake, and uncharacteristic of a Pentecostal church planted in the soil of Ghana to do that. That is, that would have gone against not only Pentecostal practices but also Ghanaian culture. We therefore decided to use the opportunity to interact with you,” Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah stated.

The Chairman added: “I do not need to say that as a church, our members belong to different political affiliations in the country, but for the purpose of this gathering it may be appropriate to reiterate it.

“Because of the political plurality of our members, we have advised our pastors to be circumspect in their pronouncements at church. We seek to always cooperate with the government of the day as it steers the affairs of our dear nation in accordance with the constitution of the land.

“I would like to say that, I thank the Lord that you [Nana Addo] have taken time to visit our center, knowing that you are the leader of the main opposition party,” he stated.

Touching on the impending general elections, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah expressed concern about the apprehensions and tensions that characterize elections in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

He therefore appealed to all the political parties, including the NPP to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner to ensure peaceful elections, come November 7.

“We realize that when elections are drawing near, many people panic; because of past experiences of other African countries, especially some of our neighboring countries. People are apprehensive and do not know what will happen.

“Few days ago, in the interaction with the press, the President of the nation gave us the assurance that on the part of the government, he would put all things in place to make the election peaceful.

“As you are here, we would be grateful if you could bring us a word of greeting, and also give us some assurance on the side of your party on peaceful elections,” he said.

On corruption, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah noted that Ghana can develop if corruption is dealt with and the resources of the country are prudently managed.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on his part, thanked the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for the warm reception given him and his team.

He was shocked that the Chairman of the Church disclosed that the massive infrastructural development and facilities at the Centre were all funded through prudent financial management of the Church’s own resources without any foreign support or bank facility.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the nation could best be run by the Church looking at what they have been able to achieve at the Convention Centre.

He pledged his commitment to national peace as he has always done over the years, saying, “I don’t want a drop of blood of a Ghanaian to be spilt for me to become president of this nation.”

He also stated his commitment to ensuring good governance and prudent economic management when God helps him to become the president of the nation.

The NPP presidential candidate called for prayer support from the church to ensure successful and peaceful elections.

Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah led the church to pray for the nation and all political party leaders, including Nana Addo.

Earlier, the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi; the Centre Manager, Apostle Nana Yaw Adjei and the Projects, Development and Estate Manager of the Church, Pastor Dr. Joseph Buertey, took Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage round the facility.

The Pentecost Convention Centre, which has become the pride of the country, was commissioned by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama in 2013. It is currently the biggest and the finest all-purpose conference destination center which has attracted the attention and use of many people and corporate bodies worldwide.

PENTECOST NEWS

APOSTLE DR. OPOKU ONYINAH (R) AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY, APOSTLE KUMI-LARBI (L) INTERACTING WITH NANA ADDO

APOSTLE DR. OPOKU ONYINAH WELCOMING NANA ADDO