Rt Revd Prof. Martey Is New Presby Church Moderator

Very Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso (right), outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, handing over the baton of office to the newly-elected moderator, Rt Revd Professor Emmanuel Martey.

Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey has stepped into office as the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

The 61-year-old professor succeeded Very Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, thus becoming the 16th Moderator of the church.

At a well-attended handover ceremony in Accra yesterday, Rt Revd Prof. Martey acknowledged the daunting task ahead and expressed optimism that with the support of all members of the Presbyterian Church and his family, he would be able to make a difference.

Rt Revd Prof. Martey was elected in August, 2010, at the church’s General Assembly meeting after which he was given three months to reflect and accept the challenge.

He hails from Teshie in Accra and is married to Naana Fosua Martey by whom he has two sons.

Right Reverend Prof. Martey will, for the next six years, preside over the nearly 182-year-old church with thousands of members across the country.

The Very Reverend Dr Frimpong-Manso observed that the preparation for any leadership position was very crucial and expressed confidence in the new moderator to lead the church to victory.

He advised the new Moderator to build on the foundation laid by previous moderators and assured him of his support.

The ceremony was attended by the leadership and members of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Church of Pentecost, the Anglican Diocese of Accra and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, among others.

Meanwhile a valedictory church service has been held to mark the end of the tenure of office of Very Rev. Dr Frimpong Manso in Accra.

Speaking on the theme: 'Look, your Saviour comes', Very Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to put away their differences and unite to promote peace in the country.

He said there was so much immorality, indiscipline and crime within the society and this was in the face of the proliferation of Christian churches in Ghana.

'We cannot rebuild our broken walls as a church and a nation if we do not renew our unity and love for God and humanity,' he admonished.