The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has announced that the leadership of the church will consider publishing the results of the Special Ministerial Training (SMT) examination.
He explained that this was a practice in the past and could be revisited. “I remember we started publishing the results,” he said. “It is something we will look at.” The Moderator emphasised the importance of maintaining a structured process for becoming a minister, noting that without such a system, challenges would arise.
“If everyone wakes up to be a minister, there will be problems. That is why we have a structured process. Even with what we do, sometimes there are challenges,” he remarked during an interaction session at Breman Asikuma, where three districts had gathered at the Ascension Congregation.
A congregant, Martin Akyea, suggested that examination results should be sent directly to candidates via the email addresses they provide during the application process. He also proposed that SMT slots be allocated to presbyteries, explaining that this would allow, for instance, Central Presbytery to have a set number of candidates who could return to serve their presbyteries after training.
In response, the Moderator cautioned that allotting slots could be problematic. He pointed out that presbyteries such as Ga, Ga West, and Asante often contribute more candidates, but many of these candidates are not indigenes of those presbyteries.
The Moderator outlined the structured process of becoming a Presbyterian minister. It begins at the congregational session, followed by a district panel, then a presbytery interview where applicants are sifted before writing the examination.
He explained that the examination is not difficult but must be passed. Candidates are tested on their knowledge of the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) as well as English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. “A Presbyterian minister must be current,” he stressed.
After the examination, candidates proceed to a national interview conducted by experienced ministers, including clinical psychologists, before final approval is given by the General Assembly Council. The Moderator encouraged all prospective student ministers to study diligently and prepare thoroughly for the process.
