The Church Is Not The Problem Of Africa

Church buildings are not the reason factories are not built. Prayer meetings are not the reason schools lack textbooks. Sunday services are not the reason roads are bad, hospitals are under-resourced, or governments mismanage public funds.

The challenges facing the continent are political, structural and economic, rooted in leadership, governance, corruption, weak institutions, and global exploitation.

Blaming the church becomes an easy emotional escape, a convenient target, while those truly responsible for policy, development, infrastructure, and national well-being escape scrutiny.

It is leadership, not faith that shapes national development.

Can we for once agree that the CHURCH is not the problem of Africa?

I think we should make every effort to familiarize ourselves with history and current facts before casting aspersions on the Church. The evidence speaks for itself.

The Catholic Church alone has established over 1,350 universities globally, more than 18,000 hospitals, and countless clinics. The Church of Pentecost recently set up 11 healthcare facilities, four hospitals and seven clinics. The Methodist and Presbyterian Churches have also built numerous educational institutions that continue to shape our society, ranging from the Wesley Girls, Mfantsipim School, an all-boys boarding secondary school in Cape Coast, established in 1876 by Methodist missionaries. Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Benkum Senior High School.

By 2009 (in Ghana), the Methodist Church had reportedly established about 719 kindergartens, 1,017 primary schools, 483 junior high schools, as well as 20 second-cycle public schools, 22 secondary/tertiary/vocational institutions, and several colleges of education.

Right here in Cantonments, the Covenant Community Church founded the school we now call SO Clinic, a profound institution where discipline, ethics, and values are deeply instilled in children.

Christ Embassy, under Pastor Chris, has established first-class hospitals across the world and placed hundreds of thousands on scholarships.

Winners’ Chapel, led by Bishop David Oyedepo, has built over 1,000 secondary schools, four universities, and supports hundreds of thousands of students on scholarship, alongside various hospitals.

Light House Chapel International, led by Dag Heward-Mills, has set up many hospitals worldwide, including the St. Kathryn Clinic in North Kaneshie, staffed with highly professional medical teams serving the community. The church also runs over 100 schools.

Dunamis International Gospel Center led by Dr Paul Enenche have built many educational institutions including Destiny Christian Academy and have placed 100’s on scholarship here and abroad. They have constructed many Power plants, roads, water supplies and medical facilities across the country.

Victory Bible Church, led by Bishop Tackie-Yarboi, continues this legacy with impactful institutions across the country- scholarships to needy but brilliant students, etc. Action Chapel, founded by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has also established hospitals and schools that serve thousands including Dominion University College.

What of Rev. Titi Offei, the Snr Pastor of Pleasant Place Church in Spintex- Accra, Ghana? He holds a PhD in International Business, a Global Executive Masters in Management from the London School of Economics (LSE), and a Masters in Governance and Leadership from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He established Accra Business School, now University of Gold Coast, to foster leadership development and has embarked on many humanitarian activities.

The prestigious Central University College wasn’t established by the state, it was established by Pastor Mensah Otabil, the senior pastor of ICGC. He has established many schools to help reduce ignorance in the world of man, and the established the ICGC Scholarship call “Central Aid” with the mantra “Transforming lives, fulfilling purpose” has impacted 1000’s across the world.

The list is truly endless. The Church is not an interruption to civilization, it is one of its strongest pillars.

The church exists primarily to SEEK and SAVE the LOST, by preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ and extending God’s eternal life to humanity. In fulfilling this mission, we have also created an atmosphere of peace and serenity for all people.

Even Harvard University, founded in 1636 by Puritan settlers, was originally established to train clergy and to promote Christian scholarship. (You may read more on this.)

Yet, in our society today, drinking bars sit on every street, prostitutes operate openly, and politicians voted to engage in corruption, but we barely discuss these. Instead, we skip all of that and blame the Church.

Let’s be fair: the Church remains the world’s most reliable institution, standing strong where others have failed.

Until our last breath, the promise remains “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH….”

Richmond Duafah.

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