Retirement service has been held in honour of a stalwart servant, Rev. Michael Fianko-Wontumi, and wife, Mrs. Mercy Fianko-Wontumi on 14th March 2021 at Grace Chapel Assemblies of God at Akosombo in Eastern ‘A’ region.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the General Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso who officiated the ceremony with support from the Regional Executives of the region. In attendance was also the National Pension Administrator, Mr. Felix Nana Boakye, and a host of well-wishers across the length and breadth of the country.
Rev. Fianko-Wontumi until his retirement was the Head Pastor of the Grace Chapel A/G at Akosombo in the Akosombo district and served for 33 years in this noble organization. He held several positions and also planted various churches in towns and villages surrounding Akosombo. He also engaged in many social intervention projects for some communities around Akosombo and individuals around him. The profile below highlights his experiences and life.
Profile of Rev. Michael Fianko-Wontumi
EARLY LIFE
Rev. Micheal Fianko-Wontumi was born on the 22nd of November 1953 at Larteh. His parents are Mr. Yaw Akoi Wontumi and Madam Mercy Amoabea Fianko all deceased. His father passed away before he was born and his stepfather Mr. Jonas Anan Amoah gave him the name Amoah Michael when he started schooling. Michael started his primary school at St. Augustine’s Anglican primary school in 1959 and completed his middle school education at St. Augustine Anglican Middle Boys School in August 1969, where he obtained the Middle School Leaving Certificate.
WORK LIFE
He was employed in Mayfair Garment Factory at Industrial Area from 1969 to 1973. Regarding his career development, in September 1973 he started an apprenticeship course in radio and TV Servicing in Koforidua. He passed out in 1976 and managed the shop until 1979 when he had to leave his master to establish his own company the Guanman Electronics Services after training another person in his stead. He worked in his own company from July 1979 until 1986. Within the period he trained nine boys in radio and TV servicing. Notable among them are Mr. Bismark Akoi now a lecturer in a reputable university and Mr. Forson a successful businessman.
MARITAL STATUS
He got married to Mrs. Mercy Addo Fianko-Wontumi. They had two children: Adwoa and Kofi
CHRISTIAN LIFE
In 1978, Rev. Wontumi accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior and became a member of the Town Fellowship-Scripture Union. He was a member of St. Peters Anglican Church, Koforidua. In 1980, he joined the Reapers Evangelistic Ministry. There, he was trained as an Evangelist after attending the Soul Winners course. They worked with churches in organizing revivals, seminars, crusades for secondary schools and colleges where Scripture Unions were established on their campuses. He worked with great ministers like Rev. Samuel Peprah Yeboah of the Methodist church and the Late Rev. Henry Emmanuel Ofori of Assemblies of God, Ghana. This ministry assisted the Assemblies of God, Ghana in establishing Calvary Assemblies of God Koforidua. Rev. H. E. Ofori joined the church and later encourage him to join the church. He served there as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, financial secretary, secretary, and Sunday school superintendent. He also worked with the late John Haggar in establishing the Oyoko branch of Assemblies of God Ghana.
Rev. Wontumi later became the pioneer pastor of the Tinkong branch of Assemblies of God Ghana. He served under great ministers like Rev. Rtd. George Akom Kyei and Late Rev. Jonathan Donkor, the first Regional Superintendent of Assemblies of God Eastern Region. In February 1987, he enrolled into the Southern Ghana Bible Institute at Saltpond and graduated with a diploma in Biblical studies in November 1989. While in school, he worked with the school’s evangelism team in establishing Ooti, Mpeseduase, and Mori churches among others. He was posted to Akosombo after graduation, to pastor the newly planted church in December 1989 by Rev. Donkor and the Regional officials, where he has served faithfully until now. The desire for continuous personal development made Rev. Wontumi enter the Southern Ghana Bible College in the year 2000 for further studies. In 2001 He obtained a degree in Theology.
SHORT COURSES/SEMINARS
The desire to gain more knowledge also motivated Rev. Wontumi to pursue the following courses:
1. Million Leaders Mandate led by Rev. Osei Tutu (2004-2006)
2. Understanding the Basic Skill in Counseling led by Rev. Doctor Abedu Quashie of the Trinity Seminary.
3. Capacity Building led by Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam-Assemblies of God, Ghana
4. Leadership Spirit Skill-Strategy led by Rev Dr. Samuel Huddleston and Rev Dr. Godwin Ahlijah (2009)
5. Leadership led by Rev. Dr. Chris Sonkson, Rev John Withers, Rev Dr. Samuel Huddleston, and Rev Dr. Godwin Ahlijah (2010).
PASTORAL EXPERIENCES/SERVICES
The following are some pastoral experiences and services success chalked by Rev. Wontumi during his ministry include Head Pastor of Grace Chapel Assembly of God 1989 to date; planted Calvary Temple Assembly of God-Atimpoku, Gospel Power Assembly of God-Apeguso, Emmanuel Assembly of God-Gyekiti in 2001, Radiant Assembly of God, New Powmu-2001, Akwamufie Assembly of God-2001 Assisted by M.L.I and Rev. Dr. Godwin Ahlijah, Beautiful Gate Assembly of God- Asukwao, Triumphant Assembly of God- Mangoase, Ankyease Assemblies of God, Adjena Assembly of God, Kudikope Assembly of God, assisted by Roman Ridge Church led by Rev Dr. Alex Nkrumah and Old Akrade Assembly of God led by R.R.C. The remaining churches include Nudu, Mpakadan, and Nkwakubew Assemblies of God. He also assisted in establishing Ghana Pentecostal and charismatic churches at Akosombo and also assisted in the establishment of Goodnews Assembly of God Manchester, UK. He is also the founding member of G.P.C.C Akosombo.
LEADERSHIP POSITION
- Rev. Wontumi during his ministerial work held the following positions:
- First Eastern section Men’s Ministry Rep between 1983 and 1985
- Akosombo Zonal leader from 1991 to 1994
- Krobo/Asuogvaman first Secretary/Treasurer from 1994 to1996
- Krobo/Asuogyaman District Secretary between 1997 and 2006
- Asuogyaman now Akosombo, District Pastor from 2007 to 2018
- Welfare committee member, Eastern Region Pastors’ Welfare.
- Secretary of Eastern Region Pastors’ Welfare.
- Eastern Region Electoral committee chairman in 2013.
- Interim Chairman of Akosombo Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches in 2019.
MENTORSHIP
Rev. Wontumi mentored the following ministers of God:
1. Pastor R. N. Okpoti-(Accra)
2. Late Pastor Thomas Agbozo
3. Pastor James Kumah Narh
4. Pastor Geoffrey Kwakye Donkor – Manchester, United Kingdom
5. Ps. Mrs. Kathleen Kwakye Donkor- Manchester, United Kingdom
6. Student Pastor Ernest Gyaesayor Darko (Assembly of God Theological Seminary, Saltpond.
SOCIAL INTERVENTION
Working with Meaningful Life International led by Rev. Dr. Ahlijah organized the following projects:
1. Yearly leadership seminars that have brought a great revival to all churches in the Asuogyaman District.
2. Medical outreach to almost all towns in Asuogyaman
3. Drilled two boreholes for Aboasa and Apeguso which has brought great relief to these communities.
4. The church has offered several scholarships to many young ones, who have become respected citizens in society.
5. He has personally sponsored others in apprenticeship courses.
HOBBIES
He enjoys reading, watching football, and loves farming.
