By: Evans Attah Akangla | ignewss.com |Ho
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG)’s Ho East Presbytery Great Choir (Hadzihaga) concluded this year’s biannual Presbytery rally at Agortime Kpetoe on Sunday.
This allowed the Presbytery to host the group’s celebration of its 100th anniversary, set for this year in the Volta regional capital, Ho.
According to historical records, the Great Choir, also known as the Hadzihaga, was established in 1919 at the church’s headquarters in Ho Kpodzi. It is believed to be the earliest and oldest choral organization in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG). Initially formed with just twelve (12) members at Ho Kpodzi, the group later expanded throughout the church, currently boasting a population of over thousands of members.
At the culmination of the third biannual Ho East Presbytery Hadzihaga rally, focusing on the theme “Care for God’s Creation, The Mission of the Church, and the Role of Hadzihaga,” held from Friday, April 19th to Sunday, April 21st, 2024, at Agortime Kpetoe in the Agortime Ziope District of the Volta region, this information was revealed.
In an interview, Mr. Franklin Kwasi Banahene, President of Ho East Presbytery Hadzihaga, stated that despite the group turning 105 this year, it is essential to commemorate its accomplishments to honor the founding fathers, celebrate the significance of singing in the Christian church, and acknowledge the group as the leading choral group established in the church before others.
According to the church calendar, this year’s Presbytery rally was initially scheduled for October. However, the Presbytery President disclosed that it had to be postponed to accommodate the group’s historical anniversary, planned by the national body of the group to take place from Thursday, October 24th, to Sunday, October 27th, 2024, and be hosted by the Ho East Presbytery Hadzihaga at the Church’s headquarters in Ho.
He mentioned that the purpose of the recently concluded Presbytery rally at Kpetoe was to raise funds for the host Presbytery and the national Presbytery, as well as to inspire the approximately 52 choirs in the Presbytery to actively participate in the countdown to the 100th anniversary.
He urged churches and their respective groups to make every effort to prepare for the group’s showcase, and for the Presbytery to provide support to the leadership to complete the necessary preparations in time for the anniversary.
Rev. W. K. Klutse, the Hadzihaga facilitator, cautioned participants and Christians in general against using the church as a platform for celebration while remaining ignorant. He emphasized repentance as the best course of action for all Christians, noting that Christianity offers more benefits from Christ’s death than disadvantages.
Source: www.ignewss.com|Ghana