Mr. Alfred Sakyi has been inducted as the new Lay President of the Methodist Church Ghana, pledging to prioritize youth entrepreneurship and economic empowerment through a church-backed programme. The programme aims to help young people explore business opportunities amid limited employment prospects. This initiative, known as the Methodist Entrepreneurship Development Programme, will provide seed funding, with applications already being submitted. Mr. Sakyi made these announcements at his induction service at St Paul Cathedral in Tema on October 10, 2026.
As the newly inducted Lay President, Mr. Sakyi outlined his priorities for his three-year tenure, which began on October 1, 2026, and ends on September 30, 2029. A retired banker, he succeeds Mr. Kwasi Attah-Antwi, whose tenure has ended. Mr. Sakyi was elected at the 52nd Conference of the Methodist Church Ghana, held in Tema in August this year. As the second-highest officeholder in the church's administrative hierarchy, he will assist the Presiding Bishop in leading the church.
The Methodist Entrepreneurship Development Programme seeks to encourage young people to consider business creation as a viable alternative to formal employment. This initiative aims to equip them to contribute to national economic development. Mr. Sakyi pledged to work with the Presiding Bishop, the Administrative Bishop, and other church leaders to strengthen the Methodist Church's contribution to economic empowerment, education, healthcare, social services, and spiritual development.
Mr. Sakyi identified youth development, strengthening children's ministry, re-engaging inactive members, and deepening spirituality as key priorities for the 2026/2027 ecclesiastical year. He also pledged support for the Methodist Prayer and Renewal Programme, which seeks to promote spiritual growth across the church's societies. Furthermore, he vowed to build on his predecessors' achievements and foster stronger collaboration between the clergy and the laity to advance the church's mission.
The Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Professor Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, urged Mr. Sakyi to uphold integrity, wisdom, and spiritual maturity while working with the clergy. He preached on the theme "Leading According to Your Grace," emphasizing that effective Christian leadership requires good character, sound judgement, and spiritual maturity. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu encouraged church leaders to be trustworthy, selfless, and prayerful, ensuring their decisions promote fairness, unity, and members' welfare.
Professor Asamoah-Gyadu also cautioned against conflicts between lay leadership and ordained ministry, stressing that their responsibilities are distinct but complementary. He urged Mr. Sakyi to recognize the diverse gifts and talents within the church and mobilize members to contribute to its growth. Additionally, the Presiding Bishop emphasized the importance of respecting the church's Constitution and operating within his mandate.
On national development, Professor Asamoah-Gyadu called for greater recognition of competence, institutional continuity, and individual skills, irrespective of political affiliation. He warned that Ghana risks losing valuable experience when successive governments replace managers of state-owned enterprises and board members appointed under previous administrations. He encouraged the church to promote the use of members' gifts, skills, and knowledge to advance its mission.
Key points
- The Methodist Entrepreneurship Development Programme will provide seed funding to support young people in exploring business opportunities.
- Mr. Sakyi's tenure as Lay President began on October 1, 2026, and ends on September 30, 2029.
- The Presiding Bishop, Professor Asamoah-Gyadu, emphasized the importance of integrity, wisdom, and spiritual maturity in Christian leadership.
