Retirement services have been held for Rev. Augustine Etse Agbaku (formerly of Crossway Christian Centre AG Ashaiman-Lebanon in Greater Accra East), Rev. John Wassah (formerly of Vision AG, Gulumpe in Brong Ahafo ‘B’) and Rev & Mrs. I.H.P Yankson (formerly of Shiloh AG, Asokore-Koforidua in Eastern ‘A’). The Retirement service of Rev. Augustine Etse Agbaku was held on 29th September, 2018 whiles that of Rev. & Mrs. I.H.P Yankson took place on 30th September, 2018. Furthermore, the retirement service of Rev. John Wassah was held on 21st October, 2018. The National Pensions’ Administrator, Rev. Peter Bandim officially declared their retirement from pastoral ministry at the various ceremonies. Goodwill message was read on behalf of Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso (General Superintendent), from the Assemblies of God, Ghana fraternity and the Executive Presbytery to the retired Ministers. The goodwill message acknowledged the faithful, dedication and exemplary leadership exhibited by these Ministers during their service to the Church. He concluded by indicating that the Assemblies of God fraternity wishes to express their profound gratitude to these retired Ministers for their faithfulness and dedicated services in God’s vineyard over the past decades. He also took the opportunity to congratulate their wives for faithfully supporting and standing with them in their ministry over the years. Regional Superintendents for the above-mentioned regions were also present to congratulate the retirees for their selfless contribution towards building the kingdom of God. Various congratulatory and goodwill messages were also read by District Pastors, the Local Church and other well-wishers present at the ceremony. Gifts were also presented to the retirees from the Ministers’ Pensions Scheme, the region, District, Local Church, family and friends.
Congratulations! We wish you good health, long life and a fulfilling retirement.
Brief profile of the retired Ministers
PROFILE OF REV. & MRS. JOHN WASSAH
Rev. John Wassah was born to Mr. Wassah and Madam Tilipi on 25th November, 1951 in a town called Gambigri in the northern Region of Ghana. He started his basic education in 1961 at Laangu and proceeded to Middle school at Yendi in the year 1970. Rev. John Wassah accepted the Lord on 1st September, 1960 through the ministry of Rev. Ina Yakubu and the Late Akonsi Wumbee from Kpadiyili near Yendi.
Rev. Wassah had the call from God to His work, so he entered into Bible School on the 1st April, 1970 at Northern Ghana Bible School (NGBS) and graduated on the 16th November 1972. He was first posted to Kariga near Gushegu after graduation and he stayed there for only 8 months, from Kariga he moved to Tatale also in the Northern Region and stayed there for six (6) years. Rev. Wassah was subsequently posted to Apesika and stayed there for Ten (10) years and then moved to Beposo for another Ten (10) years, from Beposo to Parambo-Sawaba, where he spent only eight (8) months and finally went to Gulumpe where he has pastored for fourteen (14) years. He was ordained in 1980 at Kumbungu.
God through Rev. John Wassah has trained several pastors including Rev. Mark Nakoja who is now a Pastor at Kumindi in the Northern Region, Rev. Jacob Wariji at Donkro Nkwanta in the Nkoranza District and Pastor James Naninja also at Nyomase Beposo in the Atebubu/Amantin District and they are all doing exploits for God.
He served as the Kintampo District Treasurer and Youth Rep. for several years and discharged his duties meritoriously. During his tenure, he worked very hard and was able to organize the Youth in the District effectively whiles managing the district financial resources. Rev. Wassah has the passion to win souls and to enlarge the kingdom of God. In line with this enthusiasm, he planted and pastored Zabramah A/G and Apesika A/G churches and by the grace of God all these churches are doing well.
As the Resident Pastor of Vision Assemblies of God he led the church to embark on many projects. He built a parsonage for the church which is yet to be dedicated. Again, he joined the church when their church building was at the Lentil level but by dint of hard work and the help of Rev. Anthony Kumordjie and Forikrom Assemblies of God Church, Kumasi, the church building is completed and it’s awaiting dedication.
Rev. John Wassah met Sarah Wassah and on the 26th September, 1976, their marriage was blessed at Makayili. They are blessed with seven (7) Children.
PROFILE OF REV. AUGUSTINE ETSE AGBAKU
Rev. Augustine Etse Agbaku was born on 20’hApril, 1950 to Mr. Paul Kojo Agbaku and Madam Vincentia Adzowavi Worwui both of blessed memory in Aflao in the Volta Region. Rev. Agbaku is the 9th born of eleven children. Augustus Atsu Agbaku is his twin brother and Emmanuel Doe Agbaku as their junior brother.
Rev. Augustine Agbaku had his elementary school at Aflao Roman Catholic primary school from 1958-1963. He entered into the Local Authority Middle mixed from 1964-1967. Upon the completion of the middle school, he started to trade in second hand clothing to earn a living in Lome for barely a year before moving to Ashaiman on November 28, 1968. When he arrived in Ashaiman, he stayed with one of his uncles for a short while. He later on became an employee of Ghana Textile Printing (GTP) from April 14, 1970-Octobert, 1990.
Rev. Agbaku resigned from GTP in October 1990 to respond to the call of God. He sat for the entrance examination into the Bible school and became successful. He was enrolled in the Southern Ghana Bible institute in 1991 and completed in 1993. After a successful completion, he worked under Rev. Divine Addae of Central Assemblies of God, Ashaiman for a year and half. In 1995, he started the Bethel Assemblies of God. He became the minister in charge of Bethel AG until 2003 when he moved to Crossway Christian Centre AG till his retirement.
Apart from being the head pastor at Bethel AG and Crossway Christian Centre AG, he rose to become the District Pastor from 2002 to 2004. He also facilitated the completion of the parsonage. Moreover, the foundation of the church building has been laid under his leadership. Currently, a three seater restroom facility is near completion.
He also provided leadership in the training of three young pastors namely; Michael, Vincent and Daniel. He has been a father to many including non-Assemblies of God church members.
Rev. Agbaku is married to Mrs. Helena Agbaku Aku Aglami. They are blessed with two children in the persons of Priscilla and Henry.
PROFILE OF REV. & MRS. I.H.P YANKSON
Rev. Ivan Hendrix Pee Yankson (Jnr.) was born on 24th July, 1957 at Enyan Denkyira, in the Central Region to Mr. Isaac Dadzie Yankson and Mrs. Lucy Arko Yankson, all of blessed memory. In 1974, Rev. Yankson completed and obtained Middle School Leaving Certificate, at Bantama L/A Middle School, Kumasi. He also obtained G.C.E Ordinary Level in 1977 at Takoradi Secretarial College. He pursued and obtained certificate ‘A’ (3 Year-Post Sec) in 1980 at Foso Teachers’ Training College, Assin Foso. In 1999, he graduated with a Diploma in Pastoral Studies from Mid-Ghana Bible College, Kumasi and in 2007 obtained Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (Major) with Business Administration (Minor) at All Nations University College, Koforidua. He further graduated with Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies at Central University College, Accra in 2010.
Unfortunately, Rev. Yankson’s educational pursuit was interrupted abruptly in April 2015 by retinal detachment which is also one of the factors forcing him to voluntary and pre-maturely retires. Rev. Yankson was ordained as a Minister in 2005 and gazette by the Republic of Ghana in November, 2009.
He worked in the education sector from 1977-1978 as a pupil teacher and also assumed the position of Office Clerk at District Education Office, GES, in Takoradi. From 1981-1991 and 1991-1997 he became a Tutor at New Juaben Secondary Commercial School, Koforidua and Kyerematen Junior Secondary School, Koforidua respectively.
Rev. Yankson then fully joined Religious Ministries from 1999-2007 as an Associate Minister of Central Assemblies of God Church in Koforidua and later in 2007, became the Senior Minister of Assemblies of God Church, Asokore in Koforidua) until his retirement.
Rev. Yankson became a lecturer from 2010 till date at All Nations University College (ANU) in Koforidua. He also became the Student’s Counselor, Assistant Head of Department and substantive head of Department for Biblical/Theological Studies at All Nations University from 2013 to 2016.
From 1993-1995, Rev. Yankson became the Regional Auditor for Assemblies of God, Eastern Region office and later became the Regional Treasurer of Assemblies of God, Eastern Region, from 1995-1997. Rev. Yankson also held the position of Regional Financial Secretary of Assemblies of God, Eastern Region from 1997-2015 and until his retirement, he was the Regional Treasurer of Eastern Region ‘A’, a position he had held since March, 2015.
Rev. Yankson also engaged himself in a lot of Para-religious Ministries. He became the Regional Treasurer of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Ghana from 1993 -1997 and a Student/Tutor of Mid-Ghana Bible College, teaching English Language and Principles of Accounts from 1997-1999. He is the President of Teenage Bible Club an NGO based in Koforidua from 1998 till date. He is the Regional Committee Chairman of SOWERS International, an Eastern Region Extension Program of the Assemblies of God Theological School at Koforidua from October 2010 till date.
Rev. Yankson also served his community and his Community Engagements dates to the preparation and formation of Abogri Landlords Association, of which he later became the Chairman from 2010-2014. Rev. Yankson was decorated with 3rd Best Teacher of Eastern Region Assemblies of God in 2000 and the Best Lecturer at All Nations University College, Koforidua in 2011.
Rev. Yankson is married to Mrs. Philomena Yankson and the couple are blessed with two children,Yvonne and Maud Yankson. They also have two grandchildren namely, Fiifi and Ebo Baah Cudjoe.
He played Basketball, enjoy Gospel Music, Craze for Adventure movies and stories, avoid desire of researching and relaxes with gardening and horticulture.
