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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 26, 1985
and East and West Africa, conducted the Passover service in Accra, assisted
by church pastor Mr. Josef Forson. One hundred nine members from all over
Ghana were in attendance.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, Mr. Brown spoke to a combined church
group of 257 people from Kumasi and Accra. The Holy Day offering was 40%
higher than a year ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown were able to visit the Church's farm program located 30
minutes north of Accra. Presently under cultivation are 26 acres of cas
sava, corn, beans, pineapples and yams. With the rainfall pattern having
now returned to normal, the crops are expected to flourish in the next few
months. Each church family has access to a plot of land for their own use
and all are expected to work on a conununal area set aside for those church
members who are unable to work. Any surplus produce is sold in the market
place and the proceeds are used to buy materials for the farm.
Mr. Forson says that the farm project is invaluable in many ways. "It
serves as a focus for family unity as well as [being] a most welcome source
of food, especially at times of national shortage," he stated.
Mr. Brown noted that economic conditions in Ghana have improved drama
tically in the last few months. Due to drought and economic problems, food
shortages were severe during the previous eighteen months and the people of
Ghana experienced much hardship. It was at that time that the farm's pro
duce meant the difference between life and death for many members.
The apparent end of the drought and an injection of funds into the country
by the International Monetary Fund (IMF} contribute to a much easier life
for Ghanaians than had previously been the case. However, conditions are
still far from ideal. "Don't think, though, that God's people in Ghana have
it easy," said Mr. Brown. "Many commodities are in short supply and people
only make enough money to provide for a very basic standard of living."
Despite this, he added, nobody complains, and the members of the Church are
very dedicated and faithful.
The Church in Britain has been able to assist the Ghanaian brethren by pur
chasing a truck, which is used not only for carrying workers to the farm but
also in transporting members to and from Sabbath services. Public trans
port is so expensive that many were finding it a great financial strain to
travel to services regularly.
The truck, which has been fitted with
benches and a roof, serves as a bus and enables the brethren to be much more
mobile.
They are very appreciative of this help from their British
brethren.
Before returning to the U.K., Mr. and Mrs. Brown were guests at a Ladies'
Night meeting of the Kumasi and Accra Spokesman Clubs. Seventy club mem
bers and their wives or dates participated in a rousing table topics ses
sion and listened to five entertaining and interesting speeches. Mr. For
son gave the overall evaluation, complimenting all those who took part and
exhorting everyone to greater standards of excellence.
In his closing comments, the Regional Director urged the members not to
take the things given to them by the Church for granted; especially Spokes
man Club. "Strive always to give a speech," he said, "not just take time.