Retirement service has been held for Rev. Tony Goldwyn Amoakohene & Rev. Mrs. Juliana Amoakohene to bring to an end 35 and 11 years of pastoral ministry respectively. The occasion was held on Saturday 24th April 2021 at Living Waters Chapel AG, Top High-Kumasi in the Ashanti East region.
Until his retirement, Rev. Tony Goldwyn Amoakohene & Rev. Mrs. Juliana Amoakohene were the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor respectively of Living Waters Chapel Assemblies of God at Top Hill, Kumasi in the same region. He is also the immediate past Regional Superintendent of Ashanti East. The ceremony brought several dignitaries from far and near including the General Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Paul Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Ashanti East Regional Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Justice K. Boadi, other Regional Superintendents and executives, District executives, and ministers of the Word across the country. The colourful ceremony was officiated by the Executive Presbytery with support from the Ashanti East Regional Executives, Head of Operations, Rev. Dr. Freeman Osei-Tete, Chairman of the Pension Board, Mr. Baba Mahama, as well as the National Pensions Administrator, Mr. Felix Nana Boakye. Below is the profile of the celebrants.
Profile of Rev. Tony Goldwyn Amoakohene and Rev. Mrs. Juliana Amoakohene
Rev. Amoakohene was born Kwame Aning Bempah on January 6, 1951, to a humble but staunch Methodist background. His parents are Maame Afua Frimpomaa, alias Christiana Osei (aka Maame Christy), and the late Opanin Kofi Amoakohene all from Dominase in the Ashanti Region. He is the second born and first boy of eight siblings; five girls and three boys. He spent most of his teenage life with his Aunties in Kumasi. During those periods, Tony, as he is affectionately called, did all kinds of odd jobs as a typical Kumasi boy for a living. From hawking provisions on Saturdays from the store of one of his Aunties’ husbands, he sold anything that could be sold from the store at Asafo to selling newspapers, paper bags, eggs, chewing sticks (tweapea); as well as being a shoeshine boy.
Rev. Tony Amoakohene had a pen pal called Tony Goldwyn Curtis, a popular American actor, singer, producer, and director, and per his influence and communication with him, he adopted the name Tony Goldwyn as his first and middle names.
He successfully passed the Middle School Leaving Certificate in 1964 with distinction. However, in the year 1962, he obtained a half scholarship of the then Common Entrance examination to attend Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, but could not access that golden opportunity because of lack of financial support. This necessitated his move to Takoradi to stay with an uncle, few days before the Coup d’etat in 1966. In Takoradi, he worked for his uncle as a store assistant at the Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC). He later worked with the Cocoa Products Company and Ghana Household Utilities Company (GHUMCO) popularly known as the “Chinese Factory”.
In the year 1970, he took a very pragmatic decision to further his education and left the harbor city because he realized that life could be better with education than to continue working as a labourer for a pittance. Unfortunately for him, that decision was a little too late because by the time he returned to Kumasi almost all schools had long reopened. He reluctantly agreed to attend a business school after a long battle with his unwillingness to return to Takoradi. According to Rev. Tony, most of his friends in Takoradi were Navy and Air Force officers and he wanted to take after them. Hence a strong urge to attend a secondary school to study science and mathematics. After five years, however, he obtained intermediate level certificates in both the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) with six distinctions in eight subjects. Tony was one of the pioneers who were fortunate to start the Advanced Level Certificate of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in the same institution, Adabie Commercial College, and passed all four subjects with two distinctions. He continued to the then Kumasi Polytechnic and read the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA) Intermediate.
WORK EXPERIENCE
His first formal employment was with the Handyman Snowcem, a local manufacturer of paints at Ahodwo. He also worked with Kowus Motors Company, dealers of VW Vehicles, and the defunct Kumasi Brewery Limited. His decision to leave the secular job almost collapsed the cordial relationship between him and his father. That decision hinged on two reasons. He had encountered the Lord and the desire to respond to the call was very strong on him. But just like many of us, his decision met fierce opposition because he had become, partly, support to the family. The other reason was to travel outside Ghana. While contemplating on what to do, he invested the little gratuity he had received from Kumasi Brewery Limited into a small business with a college mate at Adum. The business that took off on May 11, 1979, could not see the light of day, when on June 4, 1979, Ghana was visited with another coup d’etat. That was the time everything under the sun was subject to sell at a controlled price. They lost virtually everything to the extent that soldiers ran their knife pointed guns through their wooden kiosk and did not even spare their refrigerator. The rest is history to the aged in our society.
On the night of December 31, 1977, Rev. Amoakohene encountered the Lord Jesus at a watch night service at Lighthouse Assembly of God, Akwatialine, and got baptized in water on April 28, 1978, under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Nicholas Opuni. That was the beginning of a completely new chapter in his life. Rev Opuni assigned some of them, including Brothers Owusu Minkah, Kwasi Mensah, Alex Darko, all reverend ministers now, brothers Brobbey and Sarpong, Mrs. Harriet Owusu Minkah, and others to minister in the cluster of schools around the church every Wednesday and Friday. He recollects that Mrs. Mary Amponsah-Ababio, who works at the headquarters in Accra, is one of the many fruits of that enterprise.
Rev. Tony is very much indebted to Rev Charles Appiah Boachie, who has been his secret admirer and mentor in ministry, Rev. Owusu Minkah, and Mr. Kofi Amponsah Efah (Efpac). They were the first people he set his eyes on when he became converted at Lighthouse. Something about them challenged him, giving him a boost in his Christian life till today.
1978 and beyond saw a massive church planting exercise by the Central Assembly of God Church. The Youth, known at that time as the CA’s, was the pivot in that exercise. That was the time most of the churches in and around Kumasi were planted: Ayigya, Oforikrom, Adiebeba, Suame, Atonsu, Bantama, Santasi, and Mampong. Rev. Tony actively participated in almost all the various crusades and became the first convert teacher at Atonsu at the late Maame Mmerewa’s house and Africana’s house at Mampong Tonsuom respectively. It was in 1978 that Kumasi was set on fire by a program dubbed “I Found It,” “Manya” which the Assemblies of God, led by Rev. Nicholas Opuni and the church leadership at that time collaborated with the Ghana Evangelism Committee and other denominational church leaders to launch an unprecedented city-wide evangelistic campaign.
Rev. Tony and Rev. Owusu Minkah were the youngest among the “village workers” in Central Church (Lighthouse) with the likes of the late F. Y. Frimpong, the late Kwabena Lewis, the late Bright Anane, the late Kwabena Berhene, Mr. Victor Agyei, and others with Rev. Ziemann in holding crusades at Kyerekrom, Bosore, and Atimatim.
SOJOURN IN NIGERIA
The 1979 coup in Ghana had its attendant challenges on Rev. Tony, both economically and financially forcing him to join the exodus to Nigeria in the early part of January 1980. Though far away from home, he was a shining example to the Ghanaian community in Isheri and Olowora in Lagos State. He was very instrumental in establishing the church at Isheri. In Nigeria, he became the Sunday School teacher for the Ghanaian class. In no time, the Ghanaian community in the church had outgrown the natives. He was made the Sunday School superintendent and later the church board secretary. When the resident pastor Egbegba Okechukwu transferred to Imo State, student pastor Joseph Okediran came to take over. The Sectional Presbyter, Rev. Kola Ogunbola of the Ikeja Section at that time, made him a caretaker pastor of the church and he worked directly under him anytime the Pastor was in school. The cordial relationship between him and Rev. Okediran made him visit Ghana in 2004 when Rev. Tony had traveled to the United States. One Mr. Ohene, who mounts a bookstand at almost every Assemblies of God Meeting is one of the numerous Ghanaians who the Lord saved at the church in Nigeria.
CALL INTO THE MINISTRY
His call into full-time ministry was birthed in Nigeria. Although Rev. Nicholas Opuni had tried to talk to him on several occasions about ministry, he was very hesitant and avoided his wise counsel anytime the topic came up. However, the burden became so strong one fateful night and Rev. Tony surrendered to the call. He was shortlisted to attend the Western Bible College in Iperu, Ogun State. Unfortunately, the deportation order of President Shehu Shagari in January 1983 aborted his dream and he had to return to Ghana.
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
During the Easter Convention at Obuasi in the year (1983) of his return from Nigeria; Rev. John Richard Nkrumah had requested for a lay worker at Nsuta. It happened that after the Convention, Rev, Tony was asked to go to Nsuta to begin a formal pastoral work. Rev Richard John Nkrumah thus became his first senior pastor and he owes him a lot. He entered the Southern Ghana Bible College in 1984. At Nsuta he led the church to acquire a plot of land but nothing could be done on it before he left. He gave the name Mount Zion to the church. Again, it was after Easter Convention at Bekwai in 1985, when Rev. Moses Seidu Sumaila, who was then the Ashanti Region Presbyter, asked him to go to Juaso because there had been a problem in the church and the substantive pastor had been dismissed. He moved to Juaso and stayed there during his second-semester vacation in November 1985 until April 1993 and worked under Rev. Peter Amoah, who was then at Truth Center AG, Konongo. By the grace of God, the church had acquired a plot of land for the church building and parsonage respectively at the time he and his family transferred to Asokore Mampong. The church building was under construction when they left and he named the church Mount Carmel.
Barely three years at Asokore Mampong, incidentally during another Easter Convention at Bantama in 1996, Rev. Tony was already a substantive pastor in waiting to be installed at Living Waters Chapel. He attended the convention as their pastor using their Nissan Urvan bus and their driver. And from the Easter of 1996 to this years’ Easter 2021, Rev. Tony and his wife have ministered for twenty-five years in this local church. From ministering under a shed in a rented apartment at Susuaso, to what we are beholding here today is the success story of this great man and his wife.
In September 2015, he was asked to go to Canada to oversee the merger of three churches that have gone through series of ministerial challenges. He became the first Senior Pastor of the amalgamated church. he led the church to support the General Council and The Gambia Church. He hosted the foreign version of the Assemblies of God, Ghana’s 75th Anniversary in the church.
Rev. Tony Goldwyn Amoakohene graduated from the Southern Ghana Bible College in November 1986 with Diploma in Theology, He obtained a Bachelor of Theology in Systematic Theology from the Ghana Baptist Theological Seminary, and an External Bachelor of Theology from the University of Ghana, Legon. He also holds an MA in Christian Ministry from the Christian Service University College. He had the privilege of attending several seminars while in Canada, America, and Ghana.
Rev. Mrs. Juliana Amoakohene (nee Juliana Acquah) was born on the 16th of July 1958 to Ekow Agya Acquah and Obaa Panyin Araba Hweyie at Abandze in the Central Region. She stayed with her uncle, Mr. Albert Ewusie, who taught at the St. Andrews Training College, Mampong. While there, she had her common entrance examination and gained admission to study at Technical Secondary, Kumasi. She moved to Cape Coast while still at Tech Sec because her uncle was transferred to the Central Region. She then got enrolled at Wesley Girls High School, Cape Coast. On completion, she pursued her Post-Secondary Education at the Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi, and completed it in 1983. She moved on to teach at Anomabo where she met Rev. Tony Goldwyn Amoakohene. She taught at Juaso L/A Middle School from 1987 to 1990 but ceased teaching because of motherhood to fully cater for their four boys. Rev. Mrs. Amoakohene supported her husband through Ministry work. During their tenure at Living Waters Chapel, she birthed the Young Singles (Y’s), JOY Fellowship, and Missionettes of the church, which are all still functioning actively. She received a call to ministry, joined the Mid-Ghana Bible College, and graduated with a Diploma in Theology in 2009.
FAMILY LIFE
On February 28, 1987, the Lord graciously favored Rev. Tony with a beautiful, courteous, down-to-earth lady, Juliana Acquah. He met Juliana at the Saltpond Assembly of God Church after one fateful Sunday service when he was a second-year student at the Southern Ghana Bible College, now Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Adepa, as she is affectionately called by her best friend and husband, Rev. Amoakohene, has been his strong pillar and backbone. They have been through thick and thin together and have chalked so many great successes. By the grace of God, the couple is blessed with four boys; Emmanuel, Ebenezer, Enoch, Eugene, and two granddaughters.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Rev. Tony has served in various positions during the span of his ministry. These include:
1. 2015 -2018 Ashanti East Regional Superintendent
2. 2003 – 2006 Regional Secretary, Ashanti Regional Council.
3. 2001 – 2003 District Pastor, Kumasi East District of the Ashanti Regional Council.
4. 1990 – 1996 Sectional Treasurer, Ashanti East Section of the Mid-Ghana District.
5. 1987 – 1990 Sectional Treasurer, Ashanti Akim/Kwahu Section of the Mid-Ghana District Council.
6. 1984 – 1986 College Prefect, College Accounts Clerk at the Southern Ghana Bible College.
MINISTERS TRAINED
Ministers who have emerged from the ministry of Rev. Amoakohene include:
1. Rev. Benjamin K.Owusu-Kwamo A/G
2. Rev. Samuel Kwabena Larbi – District Pastor, Konongo District
3. Rev. Augustine Fosu – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Hwereso
4. Rev. (rtd)John Mahama
5. Rev. Matthew Gariba -Jesus Is Alive A/G
6. Rev. Kwaku Boamah- Kings Court Chapel A/G
7. Rev. Abel Chimsi – Faith A/G Kokou, Tamale
8. Rev. Joshua George Aduku-Grace Fountain Temple A/G.
9. Rev. Prince Agyemang Boateng – Centre of Hope A/G, Yonkers, USA
10. Rev. Mrs. Juliana Amoakohene – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top High
11. Rev. Evans Fosu Akomanyin – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top High
12. Rev. Enoch Farabove Aryee – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top High
13. Rev. Daniel Asamoah-KwahuPraso A/G
14. Pastor Emmanuel Bassewu – Living Waters A/G, Bankoagya.
15. Rev. Bigman Alhassan, Nassara A/G
16. Rev. BenOwusuSekyere-Kings Village,Tamale
17. Rev. (rtd) Godwin Odidii-Mintah – Fountain of Life A/G, Ob u a si
18. Rev. Derek Amoo-Sakyi – Good Shepherd A/G, Adenta, Amehire
19. Late Rev Armstrong OduroKwarteng
20. Bishop Oppong Adu Gyamfi – International Charismatic Church, Accra
21. Rev. Simon Paahkipeong-True Light A/G, Ejisu
22. Pastor Justice Birinkorang – Salvation Warriors A/G, Ampabame
23. Pastor Jackson Essel – Living Waters A/G, Esaase & Anyinitease
24. Pastor Opoku Gyasi Agyei – Living Waters A/G, Pipie, Nkowi, &0ld Brodekwano
25. Pastor Samuel Osei Agyemang-Living Waters A/G, Obo
26. Pastor David K. Badu – Living Waters A/G, Abono
27. Pastor Daniel Boakye – Yiadom- Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top High
28. Pastor Sampson Wireko – Gyebi – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top High
29. St. Ps. Emmanuel Sintim – Living Waters Chapel A/G, Top
CHURCHES ASSISTED
Through the ministry of Rev. Amoakohene, the following churches were assisted in various forms;
1. People of the Book Centre, Moshie Zongo, Kumasi, Received support for the temporary church building
2. Bole and Dusi A/G in the Northern Region. Supported with the construction of church building.
3. Adanwomase A/G, Bonwire District. Supported in the acquisition of land.
4. Ebenezer A/G, Fumesua, Ejisu District. Supported in buying land for the church building.
5. Living Waters A/G, Ejisu District. Supported with the purchase of land and currently building an auditorium.
6. Olive Temple AG Ayeduase. Supported in the purchase of church land.
7. Bankoagya AG, Ejisu District bought land and built an auditorium for the church.
8. Yamaa AG near Wulugu in the Northern Region. Purchased a generator set for the church.
9. Supported Rev. Moses Alhassan with a motorbike during his work at Mankaragu in the Northern Region
10. Assisted Somanya AG (under the late Rev. Samuel Otoo) to re-roof their church building damaged by a rainstorm.
11. Supported Dominase AG (under the ministry of Rev. Benedict Oppong Kwarteng) to roof their church building.
12. Living Waters Chapel, Hwereso. Bought land for them and supported them in putting up a permanent place of worship.
13. Grace Fountain Temple.
14. Open Door A/G, Abore. Purchased land for them
15. Grace Fountain, Bantama.
16. HamileA/G, Upper West. Purchased land
17. Yurilim A/G, Atonsu S-line. Assistant with the purchase of land for Church.
18. True Light A/G. Monthly Stipend for Pastor and support for bible school training
19. LWC Essasie. Purchased land for Church
20. LWC Anyainatiasea. Purchase land for Church
21. Christ the King AG, Asokwa. Support roofing of the building
Rev. Amoakohene believed in the salvation of souls. Wherever he ministered he made sure that churches were planted. Among these include:
1. New Life AG, Obogu – Asante Akyem
2. Open Door AG, Parkoso
3. Open Door AG, Abore, Amansie West
4. Grace Fountain (Ethnic Church) Bantama
5. Fountain of Life, Obuasi
6. Hamile AG, Upper West
7. Yurilim AG, Atonsu S Line (Ethnic Church)
8. Living Waters, Hwereso
9. Living Waters, Abenase
10. Living Waters, Edwinase
11. Living Waters, Watresso Amansie West
12. Mount Zion Temple AG, (Ethnic Church) Asawase, Kumasi
13. Dweabease AG, Kwahu
14. Suminakese AG, Kwahu
15. Praso AG, Kwahu
16. True Light AG, Ejisu (EthnicChurch)
17. Salvation Warriors AG, Ampabame
18. Living Waters Chapel, Edmonton, Canada
19. Living Waters AG, Bankoagya (Ethnic Church)
20. Living Waters AG, Pipie-Lakeside
21. Living Waters AG, Nkowi-Lakeside
22. Living Waters AG, Old Brodekwano-Lakeside
23. Living Waters AG, Obo-Lakeside
24. Living Waters AG, Essase -Lakeside
25. Living Waters AG, Anyinetiase -Lakeside
26. Living Waters AG, Abono-Lakeside
27. Living Waters AG, Kubease
28. Duampompo AG
29. Boama Dumase
