Reverend Stephen Yenusom Wengam has been inducted for a second four-year term as General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, at a colourful ceremony in Accra attended by President John Dramani Mahama and local and international church leaders.
Rev. Wengam was inducted alongside Rev. Dr Kwadwo Boateng Bempah as Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Dr Albert Anane as General Secretary, and Rev. Simon Abu Baba as General Treasurer of the new Executive Presbytery.
Also in attendance were church leaders from around the world, including Rev. Dominic Yeo, Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, who delivered a sermon.
In his remarks, Rev. Wengam reported that the church had planted 2,077 new congregations, bringing the total to 10,077, while membership had grown to about 1.2 million.
He pledged to accelerate the church’s Transformation Agenda anchored on reaching, rebuilding, restoring, repositioning, rebranding and reforming.
Rev. Wengam also announced plans for a Centenary City, including a 6,000-seat conference centre, ahead of the church’s 100th anniversary in 2031.
He further disclosed that President Mahama, who is a member of the church, had offered to lead fund-raising for the project without using public funds.
He urged the government to ensure that economic recovery translated into decent jobs, better incomes and business growth, describing youth unemployment as “heart-rending and soul-wrenching”.
He further called for a national crusade to safeguard young people amid concerns over moral decline and inflammatory political discourse.
President’s comments
Addressing the ceremony, President Mahama announced a GH¢100 million allocation in the next budget for the completion of a remand block at the Nsawam Prison, a project initiated by the Assemblies of God, Ghana.
President Mahama, who described the church as "our family", explained that the project was born out of a concern for the dignity of remand prisoners.
He recounted how Rev. Wengam had drawn his attention to the "not good mix" of housing remand inmates, though yet to be convicted, alongside convicted inmates.
"The project you started, which was the remand block of the Nsawam Prison, GH¢100 million has been allocated in the next budget to complete it," President Mahama said.
He added that the project, which was abandoned after President Mahama ended his previous term, would be completed next year.
Second term
The President, who is also serving his second term, used the occasion to share his insights on second-term leadership.
"A second term offers you a distinct opportunity. The experience of the previous term provides a clearer understanding of what works, where difficulties remain, and which needs require greater attention," he said.
He encouraged Rev. Wengam to deepen reforms and ensure that progress reached local congregations.
He commended the Assemblies of God, Ghana, for its growth, revealing that over the past four years, the church had planted over 2,000 churches and trained more than 440 pastors.
He also lauded Rev. Wengam's leadership, noting that the church had become one of the most popular and favoured Pentecostal denominations in Ghana under his stewardship.
"Let me commend you, Rev. Wengam, for positively branding our church. Since you assumed office as General Superintendent, A.G. Ghana has become one of the most popular and most loved Pentecostal denominations in Ghana," the President said.
Touching on the church's "Transformation Agenda Continues" theme and its six "R" priorities of Reach, Rebuild, Restore, Reform, Reposition and Rebrand, President Mahama emphasised the importance of ministerial welfare.
He saluted his wife, Lordina Mahama, and her foundation for its health screening ministry for retired pastors, describing it as a "critical lifeline".
National development
The President also addressed the role of the church in national development, calling for continued partnership in education, health and social care.
He urged Christians to let their faith guide their conduct outside the church walls.
"As President, I am bound to serve Ghanaians of every faith, as well as those who do not profess any faith," he said.
The President also encouraged the church's Men's and Women's Ministries to focus on mentoring the youth, acknowledging the uncertainties they face regarding employment and the cost of living.
He challenged professionals and entrepreneurs in the church to offer apprenticeships and guidance to young people.
