The Director of the Ramseyer Training Centre (RTC), Rev. Gideon Buernor Puplampu, says the Centre is “coming of age,” pointing to a series of significant achievements recorded within the 2026 academic and ministerial formation year.
Speaking at the fourth OMT–LIM graduation ceremony, he outlined key milestones that signal the Centre’s growing maturity, improved systems, and strengthened capacity to train ministers for the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
He announced that the RTC’s newsletter has finally come to life, with the first edition launched in February and two editions published so far. Faculty have also produced new devotional guides to deepen spiritual formation. Previously available only online, these guides were printed in hard copy for the first part of the 2026 session.
A major academic improvement, he said, is the ongoing upgrade of teaching notes into full books. This initiative aims to produce textbooks for the LIM programme and resource materials for ministers across the church.
“We are closer to achieving our goal,” he noted, commending faculty for their hard work despite heavy demands. To enhance teaching and learning, RTC produced 510 lecture desks, with plans to quadruple the number to ensure all lecture halls are adequately furnished for study and conferencing.
Rev. Puplampu also announced a leadership transition as his term of service ends. The General Assembly has appointed Rev. Dr. Yaw Boadu as the new Director, effective 1 September 2026. During the period under review, RTC trained a total of 497 people—318 in Ministry Formation and 178 in Ministerial Training.
Hospitality services also recorded impressive numbers: 906 check-ins, 10,987 accumulated daily occupancy, and 32,205 meals served. He said the Centre expects these figures to double by year-end, projecting hospitality performance to exceed last year’s record.
He highlighted the introduction of practice visits to the General Assembly Office, where trainees interacted with officers and directors. For many, it was their first time entering the GA Office—an experience he described as “almost a pilgrimage.” He expressed hope that next year, GA officers will also visit RTC as originally planned.
The Director paid tribute to Ms. Evelyn Marfoah Asamoah, one of the 2026 OMT–LIM intakes, who passed on to glory on 20 June 2026. He recounted her childhood desire to become a minister, inspired by clergy visiting her family home. “She answered the call to ministry—and then answered the call to be with the Lord,” he said. The Centre observed a moment of silence during the closing ceremony, and her family held a one-week celebration in accordance with tradition.
Rev. Puplampu maintained that developments at RTC show that the centre is maturing in structure, delivery, and impact. He expressed gratitude to faculty, staff, and trainees, and thanked God for sustaining the Centre through another successful year of ministerial formation.
By Jerome Otchere
