Iain Cunningham (Convener of the World Mission Council's Local Development Committee) and Carol Finlay (Twinning and Local Development Secretary) are visiting Ghana from 14 - 27 January 2011. They are meeting with our partner churches, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana.

Friday 14 January 2011

First day

Arrived in Accra three hours late but still felt warm of a Ghanaian welcome, first by the temperature being 29C at 11pm and, more especially, by the smile of Rev Solomon Sule Saa who was waiting for us. He is an excellent host and guide.

We had an excellent meeting at the British High Commission where we spent an hour with the Deputy High Commissioner, Matthew Johnson. He was very positive, sympathetic and interested in our partner relationship with Ghana and the programmes we are running together. We also met Stuart Gardner, the Entry Clearance Manager for the Visa Services, another Scot hailing from Johnstone. Very consrtuctive dialogue on visas in relation to faithshare visits and volunteering. It was great to have a full hour of their time.

Back at the HQ of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, we had an interesting discussion around developing a corporate image for the church and relationship with the state. It was great to bump into the former Moderator and other friends, Rev Frimpong-manso who with his wife Lucie were excitred to see us.

Iain was reflecting on the issue of young people in the church and common features in many of our partner churches to ourselves in Scotland when we met on the stairs the National Youth representative on the General Assembly, Joyce Nanna Esi Acquah, a vibrant young woman with a vision.

Solomon ensured we enjoyed our first proper Ghanain lunch of Joliffe rice, fish and plenty fresh pawpaw and pineapple - delicious.I cannot believe we have only been here half a day yet we have achieved much.

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