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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described the former late Chairman of the Church of Pentecost (COP), Apostle Dr Michael Kwabena Ntumy, as a man whose dedication to service, contributed immensely to the country’s democratic growth.
President Akufo-Addo said his objective was always the advancement of Ghana and even in his days of ill-health, he continued to make critical interventions in the nation’s discourse.
President Akufo-Addo said this in a tribute read on his behald by Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the burial and memorial service of the late former Chair of the COP, at the State House in Accra, on Saturday.
He said “Apostle Ntumy was well known for his honesty, integrity and discipline, an outstanding servant of the Church, the Ghanaian people, and the public interest.”
President Akufo-Addo said the demise of the former Chairman had led to a big void not only in the Church of Pentecost, but in the wider Christian space as he was a constant source of good, and rich Christian counsel.
“It is not often that it can be said of someone that he or she has finished his or her life’s work and with distinction. But we can certainly say that about the man for which we have gathered here to celebrate,” he added.
In a short sermon, by the Chairman of the COP, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on the theme: “A man greatly loved,” Apostle Nyamekye compared the life of Daniel with that of Apostle Ntumy, saying both men were deeply loved by God as they exhibited rightousness and dedication to the service of God even at the peril of their lives.
He encouraged all present, particularly the ministers, to draw inspiration from Apostle Ntumy’s life and be ready to serve God even in times of adversity.
Tributes were read by the widow, the children, the Church and the State, and eulogised for Apostle Ntumy for his exemplary leadership, fortitude, wisdom, discerning counsel and enduring spirit to serve God.
The fourth Chairman of the Church of Pentecost from 1998 to 2008, Apostle Ntumy passed on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at age 65.
He was born on September 22, 1958, in Dadieso in the Oti Region and left behind a widow and six children.
Apostle Ntumy began as a teacher in Yendi in the Northern Region in the 1980s before becoming a Deacon and Elder of the Church and later got married to his wife, Martha, at age 24.
He began full-time ministry at age 26. He was called to the office of an Apostle at age 33 and six years later, elected the fourth Chairperson of the COP.
Despite facing numerous challenges including being held hostage during the Liberian Civil War and surviving attacks on his life, Apostle Ntumy continued his service with resilience.
At the burial and memorial service was the former President John Dramani Mahama, Chief of Staff, Mrs Frema Osei Opare, ministers of state, judiciary and other dignitaries who paid their last respects to the former chairman.
Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, a former Chairman of COP, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, current Chairman of COP, and Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, leader of Perez Chapel International constitued the array of clergy at the solemn event.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
