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The Methodist Church Ghana has elected Rt. Rev. Dr Paul Boafo, the administrative Bishop of the church as its new Presiding Bishop.
He takes over from The Most Rev. Titus Kofi Awotwi Pratt who is due for superannuation [retirement] next month.
Dr. Boafo, who is also the immediate past Protestant Chaplain of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was elected at the 10th Biennial and 48th Delegates Conference of the Methodist Church at Sekondi in the Western Region.
He polled a total of 223 votes as against his closet contender, Very Rev. Asamoah Gyedu who gathered 104 votes.
All other nominees had 26 votes combined.
Whilst the Church congratulates Dr. Boafo on his election, it said the choice of the Presiding Bishop was made “after hours of prayers and waiting.”
He is expected to assume office on October 1, 2018 after an induction service.
The Presiding Bishop position
The Presiding Bishop is the Head of The Methodist Church Ghana and exercises pastoral and spiritual oversight over the whole Church.
The Church’s Constitution and Standing Orders stipulate that, one needs to have served a minimum of twenty (20) continuous years after ordination as a Minister of the Church to qualify to be elected for the top post of the Church.
A candidate who obtains more than fifty percent of valid votes by delegates is duly elected to the position of a Presiding Bishop, pending induction to begin a six (6) year non-renewable term of office.
Profile of the new Presiding Bishop
Dr. Boafo was born at Asankrangwa in the Western Region of Ghana to a Roman Catholic couple Opanin Paul Kwaw Boafo of blessed memory and Madam Agatha Ama Asamoah Boafo.
He started school at the Asankrangwa Roman Catholic Primary in 1963.
Paul was enrolled in the Wa Experimental Primary School and later moved to other schools in Mangu, Kenyasi No 2, Sefwi Wiawso, and Sefwi Bekwai according to the itinerant ministry of his uncle.
It was from the Sefwi Bekwai Methodist Middle School that Paul entered the Wenchi Methodist Secondary School from 1972 – 1977 for his General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Examination. He then proceeded to Wesley College, Kumasi, to train as a teacher from 1978 to 1981.
He was ordained on Sunday 27th August 1989 at the Wesley Cathedral, Sunyani.
Paul was the foundation Superintendent Minister of the New Achimota Circuit in the Accra Diocese (1999-2001) and also served as Superintendent Minister of the Accra North Circuit, Adabraka (2001-2005).
KNUST Chaplaincy and other Ministries
It was from the Accra North Circuit that Paul was nominated by the Methodist Church Ghana to serve as the president Chaplain of KNUST.
In addition to his primary work as chaplain, he has also been teaching at the Religious Studies Department of the University.
Paul has served either as chairman, secretary or member of a number of committees in the Church and at the KNUST.
These include: the University Syllabus Review Committee of the Methodist University College Ghana; Health Services Management Board of KNUST; Queen Elizabeth II Hall Council – KNUST; Committee of University Ecumenical Chaplaincy Board KNUST Local Council of Churches, Kumasi.
