Under the auspices of the Council of Ghanaian Pastors and Churches (COGPAC), Ghanaians in the Washington Metropolitan Area in collaboration with the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC marked Ghana’s 66th Independence Anniversary at the Maryland Assembly of The Church of Pentecost, USA in Burtonsville, Maryland. The thanksgiving service held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 was hosted by Rev. John Kudolf Ansah, the Maryland Regional head of the Church of Pentecost and the special guest of honor was Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “The Church has the key to National Development” Bishop Evans Glover, the President of COGPAC, Co-Founder & President, Shiloh Gospel Ministries International in his anniversary message implored Ghanaians to appreciate the blessings bestowed on Ghana and be thankful since whatever is not appreciated could literarily depreciate. He encouraged the clergy to be bold and speak true to leadership on matters concerning national development and furthermore live by the word of God. Addressing the gathering, Her Excellency Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama conveyed the President of Ghana’s warm greetings and appreciation for the incessant prayers and support of the various religious bodies such as COGPAC. She commended the leadership of COGPAC USA for organizing a thanksgiving service every year to appreciate God for his goodness to Ghana as a nation and also thanked them for the privilege of being invited as the special guest of honor.
The Ambassador appreciated the Council of Ghanaian Pastors by recollecting how they joined hands to pray for Ghana during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of life to normalcy as an answer to their prayers. Her Excellency Ambassador Alima Mahama noted that in Ghana’s 66-year history, the country has experienced some challenges but what has kept Ghana going from strength to strength is the unity, thoughtfulness, love, and above all, the prayer intercession for each other. She further noted that despite the various challenges, Ghana is currently enjoying a considerable amount of peace, political stability with a thriving democracy, energy, food security, and many others that Ghanaians must be thankful for. Touching on the theme for the celebration: “The Church has the key to National Development”, she called on all stakeholders to join in the effort to push Ghana to her expected glory as it is not the Government alone that is expected to drive the country’s national development. The Church has a strong role to play in this effort. She commended COGPAC for their contribution and input into the Homeland return bill initiated by the Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
The Ambassador also assured Ghanaians in the diaspora of the National Identification Authority’s (NIA) intent to extend the issuing of the Ghana Card to Ghanaians abroad including the United States of America this soon. She informed the congregation that the Embassy will continue the outreach program of the consular services in collaboration with COGPAC branches and Ghanaian Associations throughout the United States. As part of activities marking the anniversary, various Ghanaians who have distinguished themselves in the area of voluntary service were presented with the US Presidential lifetime achievement awards. Dr. Agorom Dike, the President and Founder of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference (CAFBLC), International Director for the White House Prayer of Our Nation Inc. and liaison to the White House faith based cabinet offices presented the President of the United States Lifetime achievement awards to the following;
Bishop (Dr.) Success Nana Agyemang DNP, FNP-BC, MSN Primary Health Care Practitioner General Overseer, Royal Priesthood Ministries International
The Very Rev. Moses Antwi Superintendent Minister, Washington Circuit Methodist Church of Ghana
Ms. Agnes Nana Ama Asante-Andoh Healthcare Practitioner/Childcare Specialist and a Philanthropist
Rev. Kennedy Kwasi Odzafi Pastor, Ewe Church of Maryland African Community Welfare Activists
Mr. Christian Duke Nuworsoo Chairman, Ewe Association of Washington Metro Former President, Council of Ewe Associations of North America, (CEANA), Philanthropist and Representative Member, Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA)
H.E. Eric Owusu-Boateng Ghana’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Former Head of Chancery, Embassy of Ghana Washington, DC
Rev. Kwasi Gyimah Founder, Pastor, The Church of The Living God, Northern Virginia, Apostle Augustus Martey Asemnor, Regional Head, Church of Pentecost, NJ, PA and Delaware, Rev. Millicent Pecku Reverence Minister, Businesswoman, Philanthropist, Ghanaian Community Activist
Apostle (Dr.) Gifty Boateng General Overseer, Calvary Godsway Chapel International Financial Secretary, COGPAC-USA
Rev. (Mrs.) Yvonne Glover Co-Founder, Shiloh Gospel Ministries Int’l Vice President, Shiloh Humanitarian Ministries & Gloverberg Group of Companies and
Bishop (Dr.) Evans Mawuli Glover Co-Founder & President, Shiloh Gospel Ministries Int’l President, Shiloh Humanitarian Ministries & Gloverberg Group of Companies, President- Council of Ghanaian Pastors & Churches (COGPAC-USA)
COGPAC is a non-profit, non-political organization composed of Pastors of Ghanaian origin and churches that have predominant congregants of Ghanaian origin. The mission of the Organization is to facilitate the united vision of the Ghanaian Christian faith in the United States of America through collaborative activities and community programs.