Apostle Frances Dodoo-Amoo at 60 •Celebrating a pillar in God’s ministry
On Monday November 28, Apostle Frances Akua Kwegyiriba Dodoo-Amoo (now Bishop-elect) , turns 60. A milestone her family, friends and members of the Gospel Light International Church particularly the Land of Fruitfulness Branch in Nungua, a suburb of Accra cannot wait to celebrate.
Last Sunday, when The Mirror had an interaction with her husband, Bishop Henry Nii Otoe Dodoo-Amoo and first son, James, they paid glowing tributes to the woman they described as the pillar behind the success of the Land of Fruitfulness Branch and the Accra East Area of the church.
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For Bishop Dodoo-Amoo, who has been married to her for the past 37 years, the development of the church and success of his ministry is as a result of his wife’s faith in God, assertiveness and leadership skills.
The couple have been married for 37 years
He admitted that while he was reserved, she was out-going, giving them a balance in the marriage.
Recounting how they met, he said he was a youth leader in a small church which she was part of. Aside her unique attributes of being caring, spiritual and friendly, it was her beauty, particularly her long hair, that attracted him.
He said then, Apostle Dodoo-Amoo, who was in her early 20s, worked as a private secretary at a textile company.
“When we married, I was 28 and she, 23, our courtship was very short because we had known each other in church for a couple of years. We moved together as part of a small youth group for evangelism and it was that relationship we built during the time that grew into a love affair. I think I didn’t know I was in love with her until I started getting jealous,” he recounted.
Humble beginnings
According to Bishop Dodoo-Amoo, as a young couple, they encountered a lot of difficulties and it was their faith in God that kept them going.
He narrated how they lived in a small bedroom in his brother’s house saying, “it was the smallest bedroom in the house but we had everything in there. I had my study table, bed in the corner just behind the door and a wooden chop box that contained our plates, cutlery and utensils. On top of the box, we had a small stove, that small room was everything.”
“It was obvious that she had married below her status; her father was well-to-do and there she was living in a small room with a clerk. I think love transcends social class and differences and so she didn’t mind living with me under those circumstances.”
Bishop Doddo-Amoo describes his wife as the pillar behind his ministry
He said there were days when they had no money as most of his earnings were tips from people so in instances when he did not receive enough to supplement his meagre salary, they struggled.
“I share this testimony a lot of the time that there was a time we had to move to her father’s house at Dzorwulu and one morning, I didn’t have any money for the house. All I had was coins for transportation to the office. Unfortunately, I missed the bus and had to walk from Dzorwulu to Accra High Street. I wept on that journey knowing I had left nothing at home and didn’t know how she would manage. We have gone through challenging times but the beauty then was we felt we were privileged in those difficult times.”
Going into ministry
Bishop Dodoo-Amoo said it was his wife who first decided to take on ministry full time. He (Bishop) was a part time minister who decided to support his wife.
He said by the time they had their second son, her desire for the work of God was visible and there were days they needed someone to take care of the children so she could go do the work of God.
“So I always say I followed her calling into ministry. I had always been a part time minister but when it comes to the work we have done from our days at the Nungua PRESECO where we had less than 50 members till today when the church has grown and also planted other branches, she is the person who made those happen. Most of the time, I was out of the country for work and in all those times, she had everything going on.”
Apostle Dodoo-Amoo (second left) with some colleagues when she graduated from the Bible School
“She is bold and stronger than me. Honestly, she leads with good counsel, these are the qualities that have supported the ministry. She is a more visible influence than me. She takes charge of issues when
I need time to process them. There have been instances when there has been crisis and after we talk about it, I leave her to take action because that is her strength. She is good at leading people, managing and organising people. The church has come far because of who she is,” he stated.
Her eldest son, James Nii Amoofio Dodoo- Amoo, described his mother as a determined woman whose influence in the church could not go unnoticed . “When you look around, even here in the church, you see her fingerprints all over the place. This is the headquarters of the Accra East Area and she has led the growth of other branches from La, to Ho and Alavanyo.”
Recounting his childhood, he said there were countless times when she picked the cane to correct but she was also quick to hug and wipe their tears.
“I will want to thank her on behalf of all her children, biological and adopted ones for the influence she has had on our lives. We pray that the next phase of her life comes with more influence and impact. We are privileged to have her as a mother and we pray she lives long to impart more in people,” he concluded.
Leadership
The couple have three children: James, Harry and Eric and have three adopted daughters: Winifred, Martha and Leticia.
Bishop and Apostle Dodoo- Amoo with their sons and daughters-in-law
Apostle Dodoo- Amoo is the President of the National Women’s Ministry of the Gospel Light International Church, a position she has held for many years. She has over the years supported the founding mother, Lady Bishop Naana Addae-Mensah to build a formidable women’s ministry.
She has grown the Accra East wing of the Women’s Ministry into one of the largest in the church.
She was recently elected as a Bishop and will be ordained in 2023.
Mama Frances as she is called by her many children is an epitome of leadership
One of her strengths, according to her husband, is choosing people fit for leadership. “Over the years, I have seen her almost intuitively select people for roles and build them up. Today, the people that are leading the Youth Church are people she has groomed.
“As she turns 60, I can’t thank God enough for bringing her into my life as a wife. I know God led me to her because of the purpose he had for our lives. Through our challenging times, she has always been there as a wife, a counsellor, support and a great mother not only to our children but the whole church,” Bishop Dodoo- Amoo said.
Eulogising her, a member of the Gospel Light International Church, who is part of the clergy at their Rhema Cathedral Branch, Spintex , Minister Emmanuel Tetteh Kwao said “ Mama Frances has been a leader whose influences has set up the path for many of us to follow, and there is no doubt about the fact that it's her action and behaviour which inspires us to emulate her good works.
She is a goalsetter, team player, mentor and a coach. I can only wish her nothing but the very best as she turns 60 and pray that the next 60 years is filled with good health and prosperity.”