Rev. Ampratwum Retires….

The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Ghana, Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso has admonished the clergy to preach the good news no matter the circumstances. He made this statement during the officiating of the retirement service in honour of Rev. Daniel Yaw Ampratwum on 26^th December 2020. Rev. Ampratwum retired from active ministry after serving in the Lord’s vineyard for 33 years. Until his retirement, Rev. Ampratwum was the Head Pastor of Maranatha A/G, Offinso in the Ashanti North region, and also the District Pastor of Offinso. Present at the ceremony were the Regional Executives, National Pension Administrator, District Executives, Chiefs, the clergy, well-wishers and members of the A/G church.

In a sermon preached by the General Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso, titled “I Commit You in the Hand of God”, he spoke on 5 things with scripture reference from Acts 20:17-38. He stated that Paul led an exemplary lifestyle and with good character. He eulogized Rev. Ampratwum as someone who led with a good character and also exhibited a lifestyle full of humility. He thereby admonished the pastors to learn from this character of Paul and Rev. Ampratwum. Secondly, Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso indicated that Paul never ceased preaching the good news to the people or hide anything from the people. Thirdly, “Paul spoke of his suffering and following Jesus is compared to the work of a soldier…you fight spiritual and physical battles”, Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso noted.

Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso asserted that Paul warned the people and the church about false teachings and prophecies. Finally, he stated that Paul did not pay evil for evil but paid evil with good. Rev. Frimpong-Manso expanded his points by emphasizing that Paul laid down his life for the preaching of the gospel and did not hide the good news from the people no matter the circumstances. He opined that “Paul stood in all his suffering”. Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso advised pastors that “the paramount need of the people is to prepare their souls for heaven and also commit your people always to God as Paul did”.

Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso in his goodwill message emphasized the humility, unassuming posture, calmness, and patience of Rev. Ampratwum. The Regional Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Godwin Tito Agyei in his goodwill message eulogized the passion of Rev. Ampratwum for missions and planting of churches in many towns and villages. He also acknowledged the hard work, humility, dedication, faithfulness and love of Rev. Ampratwum in shaping the lives of many pastors in Assemblies of God Ghana. Rev. Agyei also praised Mrs. Rhoda Ampratwum for faithfully supporting and standing with him in the ministry all these years. Various well-wishers including Rev. Stephen Yaw Manu, Ashanti West Regional Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Paul Dapaah, Rev. Moses Seidu Sumaila, Nana Wiafe Akenteng III, Offinsomanhene, Rev. Charles Appiah Boachie, the Offinso District, the local church, etc. also highlighted the contributions of the celebrant in their goodwill messages.

The declaration of the retirement of Rev. Ampratwum was done by Rev. Dr. Tito Agyei with the support of the National Pensions Administrator, Mr. Felix Nana Boakye. Mr. Felix Boakye presented the celebrant with his end-of-service benefit on behalf of the A/G Ministers’ Pension Scheme. The Ashanti North Regional Council, Offinso District, Maranatha A/G, well-wishers, etc. also presented gifts and made donations to the celebrant and family. Prayers were offered for the celebrant and his family. Rev. Ampratwum and his family in the closing stages of the ceremony thanked the Almighty God for such an occasion to celebrate him. He expressed gratitude to the church members, Nana Wiafe Akenteng III for his words of encouragement, his wife, for her relentless efforts and financial support in taking up certain projects.

BIOGRAPHY & PROFILE OF REV. DANIEL YAW AMPRATWUM

Rev Daniel Yaw Ampratwum was born on the 15th of June 1954 at Mamponteng in the Ashanti Region to Opanin Samuel Ampratwum and Obaapanin Esther Afua Kagyaa, all of the blessed memory. He started his primary education at Jamasi R/C between 1960 and 1964, and later continued in Zebilla L/A Primary and middle school between 1964 and 1969. He finally completed at Mamponteng R/C middle school in 1970. He had his secondary education at New Edubiase from 1972 to 1977.

Rev. Daniel Yaw Ampratwum converted to the Assemblies of God church in 1982 at Adiebeba. He later served as a Deacon in 1983 with other members such as Rev. Kwabena Darko of Darko Farms and founder of Oasis of Love Chapel, Adiebeba under Rev. Ebenezer Baffour Asamoah.

Rev Ampratwum became a Lay worker in 1984 at Sokoban Assemblies of God church where he received a call into a full-time Ministry. He subsequently attended southern Ghana Bible School from 1985 to 1987 where he graduated with a diploma in Theology. He then served as the Senior Pastor at Sokoban for thirteen (13) years.

In 1997, he was transferred to Asokore Mampong Assemblies of God church where he served as the Senior Pastor from 1997 to 2002. He obtained a degree in Theology (B.Th.) in November 2001 from the West African School of Theology, Lome -Togo.

In 2002, he was transferred to Maranatha Assemblies of God, Offinso where he has been serving as the Senior Pastor up to date.

It must be acknowledged that behind every successful “minister” there is a woman and he cannot conclude without letting the world know the immense contribution of his dear wife who has been with him through thick and thin, rain or shine, day or night. Rev Daniel Yaw Ampratwum is married to Mrs. Rhoda Ampratwum and they are blessed with a son, Kingsley Kofi Ampratwum (Operations Manager, Consolidated Bank Ghana Ltd) and three (3) grandchildren.

Rev Daniel Yaw Ampratwum has held various positions in the Assemblies of God church at different levels. He was the Evangelism Representative and Secretary to the formal Mid-west section. He was the secretary-treasurer of the Adanse Amansie section. He also became the Sunday School Representative as well as the District Treasurer of the Kumasi East District. He became the 0ffinso Local Council of Churches Chairman from 2014 to 2020 and the chairman of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Church, Offinso Branch, from 2016 to 2020. Until his retirement, he was the Offinso District Pastor, a position he has held since 2002.

It must be established, that the Offinso District from 2002 covered the area of Kronom /Afrancho to Akumadan /Afrancho which was all under the tutelage of Rev. Daniel Yaw Ampratwum. By the grace of God, the efforts of Rev. Ampratwum resulting in the expansion of the churches led to the creation of two more districts out of the Offinso district; Kronom/Afrancho district and the Akumadan Afrancho district.

Rev Daniel Yaw Ampratwum was also privileged to get an international platform as the main speaker of the 50th anniversary for the celebration of the St. Mary’s Community Baptist Church, Dundee, Scotland. He has also visited various churches in the United Kingdom. Through the ministry of Rev Yaw Ampratwum, many churches have been established. Among them are; Liberty AG, Kokote, Kayera A/G, SamprosoA/G, Yaw Mensakrom A/G, AbrokyireA/G, King’s Temple AG (Tutuase-Old Offinso), Bethel AG, Asamankama, Grace AG Anyankaso, Anyinasusu AG, Bokruwa, Bread of Life-Adukuro, Ayensua Kokoo, Nsuontem, Boahinkwa, Wawasi/Baniekurom AG, AbuasuA/G, Wrapong AG. All these churches are still in existence in the Offinso Municipality and growing to the glory of God. Others outside Offinso include Krofrom/Ampabame A/G, Nyankomase AG, Nsusa AG, Daban Apraban A/G, Asaago AG at Sokoban, Kwawoma AG with Rev. E. B Asamoah and Started with Mesuam AG at Asokore Mampong.

Some of the projects by Rev. Ampratwum include;

1. 3 plots of land for Anyankaso
2. AG 3 plots of land for Kokote AG
3. A plot of land for Anyinasusu AG
4. A plot of land for Kayera AG
5. 4 plots of land for Samproso AG
6. One plot of land for Old Offinso AG
7. One plot of land for Anyensua koko AG
8. 2 plots of land for Adukro AG
9. A piece of land has also been donated by one philanthropist for church building at yawmensahkrom
10. 3 plots of land for Asamankama AG
11. A plot of land for Nsuotem AG
12. 2 plots of land given by Mr. and Mrs. Solomon
13. Gozieat Tutuase, near the Tollbooth
14. A plot of land for Bukrowa AG
15. Mechanized commercial borehole at Maranatha Central Church
16. A toilet facility at Agyeimpra through the patron of Local Council of Churches, Mr. Ben Pentsil.
17. A plot of land at Nyankomase A plot of land at Kwanwoma

Some of the Church buildings and parsonages built by Rev. Ampratwum include:

1. Continued with the Maranatha Church building
2. Bethel A/G church building at Asamankama
3. Offinso Old-Town Church building
4. Witnessed the building of the King’s Temple by Mr. and Mrs. Gozie
5. Construction of Nsuotem A/G up to lintel level
6. Construction of Liberty AG Church, Kokote floor level
7. Construction of Samproso AG Church at floor level
8. Construction of Anyinasusu AG Church at floor level
9. Nsusa church building
10. Construction of Asokore Mampong old church building
11. The building of parsonage at Asokore Mampong
12. The building of the parsonage at Sokoban
13. Construction of a unit classroom block for Maranatha Preparatory School.

Rev. Ampratwum also support other churches through the Missions Department and these include;

1. Old Offinso Assemblies of God

2. Boahinkwa Assemblies of God   

3. Ayaasu Assemblies of God

4. Bonwire Assemblies of God

5. Wawase Assemblies of God

(All in the Offinso Municipality)

It is worth knowing, that the journey in the Ministry has not been an easy one but God has been faithful to him and his family through it all. He has not been ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jews, then for the Gentile. Romans 7; 16. What shall he then say? That the Lord has done this, and it’s marvelous in his eyes. His praise will forever remain in his mouth forever and ever.