PHOTO CREDIT: MAVIN DZAMESHIE, HOHOE |
For the
uninitiated, Apostle Ernest Adulai is the senior pastor of the Revival
Assemblies of God Church, located at Ahado.
Arguably the most influential clergyman in the municipality, this friend of Gbi has put Hohoe
on a high pedestal since the 1980s. He brought in some of the highest profile Christian speakers to the town, a feat that remains the envy of some of the so called big churches in Accra and other cities.
on a high pedestal since the 1980s. He brought in some of the highest profile Christian speakers to the town, a feat that remains the envy of some of the so called big churches in Accra and other cities.
In 1985, just
three years after the church was established and the congregation still worshipping under a
shed, Adulai brought in politician turned pastor William Ofori-Atta, popularly
known as Paa Willie, to share the word of God with the people of Hohoe. That
was the only time Paa Willie came to Hohoe for a different reason other than
politics.
Other notable
speakers the apostle brought to Gbi include Rev. Eastwood Anaba, popular gospel musician Mary Ghansah, Rev.
Vaglas Kanko, Abraham Chigbundu and Nigerian occultist turned Christian - Emmanuel
Enni.
Apostle Adulai says “It is important that people are exposed to other spiritual leaders to inspire them”. But his efforts stretch beyond spreading the gospel. Professionals including doctors, lawyers, bankers and engineers
have also mounted his pulpit, not only to preach but to motivate
the youth of Hohoe by impressing on them that it is possible to achieve
anything in life.
Even before he
finished bible school, Apostle Adulai knew he was coming to Hohoe. Without
knowing anybody, he moved to the town and with the help of the Agbesinyale
family at Ahado, had the first crusade on February 21, 1982.
“My dream is
to raise young leaders for the turn around of the town,” he adds.
PHOTO CREDIT: MAVIN DZAMESHIE, HOHOE |
Today, the Revival
Assemblies of God Church is the biggest charismatic/ Pentecostal church in
Hohoe. The church has raised leaders, pastors and professionals than any other
Pentecostal church in the town.
The church’s
resident choir, “The Revival Echoes,” was the first choir in Hohoe to record a
full studio album, titled “Onyame Se Ayeyi,” in 1990. Led
by the talented Noah Karfo, Emmanuel Ayitey and popular keyboardist, “One man”, the
songs from their album were heard on loud speakers along the streets of the
town, in homes, cars and drinking bars. This feat, masterminded by
Apostle Adulai, inspired other choirs who subsequently launched their albums.
WITH WIFE. PHOTO CREDIT: M. DZAMESHIE, HOHOE |
Originally
from Ada Foah in the Greater Accra Region, Apostle Adulai believes the development
of the area is not the responsibility of people from Gbi alone. He says
everybody should champion the development of the area and urges visitors to
take up roles to help develop Gbi for as long as they remain in the area.
“I have a
strong love for this place and I think everybody should,” Apostle Adulai says.
He says the Gbi
Viwo group should unite and lobby for more development projects. Hohoe is
rapidly expanding and this means pressure on infrastructure, water especially.
Groups like Gbi Viwo and other influential leaders should
start lobbying for the expansion of Hohoe’s water supply before it becomes a
crisis, he says.
“We have to
think ahead, we have to lobby to avert water crisis in this town,” he says.
The apostle reveals that the church has acquired land to establish a school and a hospital to help
in Hohoe’s development.
He is married
to Rev Grace Adulai and has four children, Narkie, Nartey, Korkor and Esther.
Eddie Ameh Snr is a journalist at New Canadian Media,
Ottawa, Ontario;
a graduate of Carlton University and Ghana Institute
of Journalism.Ameh grew up in Hohoe and is a member of the Gbi Viwo Community.
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