The gift of God’s grace to all nations
Kappa edition 2014
Bishop Charles Agyinasare Receives Lifetime Achievement Honour John D. Rockefeller On Faith And Business Kharis Holds Maiden Spiritpreneurship Summit Money Management For The Christian Family
Dzigbordi Dosoo
On A Catalytic Mission To Change The World
GH¢10 N1000 £10 US $10 €10
ANOINTED TO TRANSFORM
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KHARIS KHARISEpsilon Kappa Edition Edition 2011 2014
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Ghana’s premier Christian magazine
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www.coca-cola.com.gh
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JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
FAMILY LIFE
YES I DO
COVER STORY
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SPIRITPRENEURSHIP 2014
OUTSTANDING COMPANIES
KHARIS HONOURS BISHOP
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CONTENTS THE TEAM Publisher’s page 7 Columnists 8 RELATIONSHIP-The Role Of Waiting 16 MARRIAGE LIFE-Why Is There So Much Pain? 17 KEEP FIT-Steward Or Owner? 23 Apostle Afresa Taylor Inaugurates Church 24
Bishop Emmanuel Owusu Ansah Celebrates 50th Birthday 34 Unity Group Holds Thanksgiving Service 43 WOMAN-The Christian Woman As Salt And Light 48 INSPIRATION-Matters Of Faith In The Marketplace 50 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS-The Law Of The Spirit Of Life 54 Kharistoon - Parables 57
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Randy Osae Bediako
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Lois Osae Bediako (Esq.)
MANAGING EDITOR Nelson Korkor
ART DIRECTOR Joel Nortey
INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT
Henrietta Excellence Adu-Kessie (Mrs.) (U.K)
CONTENT EDITOR Seth Duodu
PRODUCTION MANAGER Joel Nortey
WEB DESIGNER
Benjamin Gregory Aggrey (Centrifuj)
PRINTED IN GHANA BY
Kharis Media Limited +233 (0) 544 000 042 +233 (0) 303 309 956
KHARIS is published by
Office:
KHARIS MEDIA LIMITED P.0 Box CO 2704 Tema-Ghana.
+233 30 3309956 +233 544000042 +233 245202626
Copyright 2014 www.kharismagazine.com
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A message from the publisher
UNSTOPPABLE
GRACE Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills --against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32 year old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. ‘Give me a place to stand,’ said Archimedes, ‘and I will move the world’. These men moved the world, and so can we all.
Randy Osae Bediako
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t’s been five (5) years already since we set out to transform the world with the gospel of grace through publishing. Many skeptics told us it wouldn’t work because our core target audience did not relish reading. I remember consistently telling the nay sayers, “If reading is a good thing then we would compel them to read”.
- Robert F. Kennedy, 20th Century US Political Leader-
We have had our fair share of challenges, but this has rather propelled us to unimaginable heights to God’s glory.
As we celebrate the release of our 10th (Kappa) edition, one truth remains unchanged: that the Christian life is full of limitless opportunities and with the grace of God we would take over the world With a good dose of faith, a world-class magazine for Jesus. This edition is undoubtedly filled with and the unstoppable grace of God a team of young many surprises and life transforming stories. Enjoy and determined undergraduates pioneered what has The Kharis Kappa. now become Ghana’s leading Christian magazine with international circulation.
Please send your comments to randy@kharismagazine.com or call ... +233
or join me on Facebook
544000042, +233 245202626 Visit www.kharismagazine.com
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Kappa Columnists Bishop Charles Agyinasare
Presiding Bishop, Perez Chapel International
Rev. Dr. Derek & Mrs. Linda Larbi
Action Chapel International, Tema Community 9)
Mr. Joseph Mintah
President, All for Christ Youth Missions
Mrs. Lois Osae Bediako (Esq)
Associate Publisher, Kharis Magazine
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Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh
Executive Director, Databank Group
Mr. & Mrs. Mintah
Chief Exercutives, JO-MINT & Associates
Mr. Kofi Wusu
Relationship and Marriage Counselor
Mr. George Kojo Addison
M.D, StarLife Assurance Company Limited
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Impact makers and world changers
John Davison
Rockefeller
Celebrated Spiritual Entrepreneur, Kingdom Financier and Philanthropist Extraordinaire
“AFTER IT IS ALL OVER, THE RELIGION OF MAN IS HIS MOST IMPORTANT POSSESSION ”
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t the age of 20, John D. Rockefeller Sr. started tithing. In life, he became the first US billionaire and the foremost oil magnate. He founded Standard Oil Company and controlled a vast business empire. At 50, when doctors said he was going to die, Rockefeller sold part of his business empire and started charities. He invested heavily in his church (the Baptist church), founded the John Hopkins University, Chicago University, Rockefeller University and a host of other philanthropic projects. His good deeds attracted God’s favour which gave him 47 additional years. In the year 2007, the Forbes magazine estimated his wealth around US$ 700billion. It was not just wealth that he passed on; he also passed on great virtues like, value of religious devotion and charitable giving all under his mother’s tutelage. He is applauded as an innovator and universally recognized as one of the most powerful men in American history. His company, Standard Oil Company, which eventually became a domineering monopoly in the oil industry but his leadership in Standard Oil brought
course in three months, 16-year-old Rockefeller secured a bookkeeping position with Hewitt & Tuttle, a commission merchant and produce shipper. His father was of English and German descent while his mother was of Scots-Irish descent.
him great wealth as well as controversy, as many opposed Rockefeller’s business practices. Standard Oil’s nearly complete monopoly of the industry was eventually brought to the U.S. Supreme Court, who ruled in 1911 that Rockefeller’s titanic trust should be dismantled. John Davison Rockefeller was born July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York. He was the second child of six to the marriage of William “Big Bill” Rockefeller and Eliza (Davison) Rockefeller. William Rockefeller was a traveling salesman peddling his questionable wares across the country, and as such, was often absent from the home. His father led a nomadic life selling goods across the country while his mother raised the children. Rockefeller received an unusually good education for his time and found work as a commission house clerk at age 16 but John left the commission house to form a partnership at a young age of 24. In 1853, he moved the Rockefeller family to Cleveland, Ohio where Rockefeller attended Central High School. Rockefeller also joined the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland, where he would remain a long-time active member. In 1855, Rockefeller dropped out of high school to enter Folsom Mercantile College. After completing the business
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Eliza, a homemaker and devout Baptist, struggled to maintain a semblance of stability at home, as Bill was frequently gone for extended periods. She also put up with his philandering and his double life, which included bigamy. Thrifty by nature and necessity, she taught her son that “willful waste makes woeful want.” Young Rockefeller did his share of the regular household chores and earned extra money raising turkeys, selling potatoes and candy, and eventually lending small sums of money to neighbors. He followed his father’s advice to “trade dishes for platters” and always get the better part of any deal. In spite of his father’s absences and frequent family moves, young John was a well-behaved, serious, and studious boy. His contemporaries described him as reserved, earnest, religious, methodical, and discreet. He was an excellent debater and expressed himself precisely. He also had a deep love of music and dreamed of it as a possible career. Early on, he displayed an excellent mind for numbers and detailed accounting. In September 1855, when Rockefeller was sixteen, he got his first job as an assistant bookkeeper working for a small produce commission firm called Hewitt & Tuttle. He worked long hours and delighted, as he later recalled, in “all the methods and systems of the office.” He was particularly adept at calculating transportation costs, which served him well later in his career. The full salary for his first three months’ work was $50 (50 cents a day).
- WikipediaJohn D. Rockefeller was one of the wealthiest men in the world during his lifetime. Though a tycoon, he lived unpretentiously and kept a low social profile, rarely attending the theatre or other events typically attended by contemporaries. Since childhood, he had been trained to give to church and charity and Rockefeller had routinely done so. In 1896, 57-year-old Rockefeller turned over the day-to-day leadership of Standard Oil, though he held the title of President until 1911, and began to focus on philanthropy. He had already contributed to the establishment of the University of Chicago in 1890, giving $35 million over the course of 20 years. While doing so, Rockefeller had acquired confidence in Rev. Frederick T. Gates, the director of the American Baptist Education Society, which established the university. In 1913, Rockefeller created the Rockefeller Foundation, with his son John Jr. as president and Gates as a trustee, to foster the well-being of men and women around the world. In its first year, Rockefeller donated $100 million to the foundation which has provided assistance to medical research and education, public health initiatives,
Impact makers And world Changers
Adjusting for inflation, John D. Rockerfeller is often regarded as the richest person in history.
scientific advancements, social research, the arts, and other fields all over the continents. A decade later, the Rockefeller Foundation was the largest grant-making foundation in the world and its founder deemed the most generous philanthropist in U.S. history. As a youth, Rockefeller reportedly said that his two great ambitions were to make $100,000 and to live 100 years. Unfortunately, Rockefeller passed away on May 23, 1937 in Ormond Beach, Florida. Though he is dead and gone, the legacy of this great spiritual entrepreneur still lives on. Source: www.wikipedia.org
“I ALWAYS TRIED TO TURN EVERY DISASTER INTO AN OPPORTUNITY�
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MONEY MANAGEMENT FOR THE CHRISTIAN
FAMILY Walter Moodie with Glen Hoose
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n his day, John D. Rockefeller was one of the richest men in the world. For all practical purposes, his money was virtually limitless. Once, an interviewer asked him, “How much money is enough?” Rockefeller replied, “Just a little bit more!” As outrageous as it sounds, haven’t 14 KHARIS
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we all been there? Whatever our income level, we think to ourselves, If only I had just a little bit more… Then, at last, our budget would have some breathing room and we will be satisfied with our finances. But Rockefeller’s response pokes a hole in that theory. The truth is, control over money has less to do
with how much we make, and a lot more to do with how we manage what we have. Financial health is important not only to our bank balance but to the atmosphere in our home. More marriages have blown apart over financial issues than almost any other factor.
This is a great starting point for Christian giving and should be calculated on the gross salary (or on net income before taxes for those in businesses for themselves).
We need to recognize that managing money is a spiritual issue. Did you know that Jesus spoke more about money than He did about any other topic? In fact, 15% of all the recorded words of Jesus are on the subject of money—more than His teachings on heaven and hell combined. Why did money matter so much to Jesus?
2. SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR REGULAR SAVINGS.
An important second step is to establish the discipline of setting aside money for inevitable expenses and large purchases, such as the down payment for a home, college education, vacations and retirement. This will allow you To Jesus, our attitude towards to spend from cash resources money is of utmost importance, and eliminate the need to borrow because it is a reflection of our when that is not wise. You will attitude towards God. As Larry be surprised by how much can Burkett said, “You can tell more be accumulated by a simple but about the spiritual lives of a couple disciplined savings program. by looking at their checkbook than by anything else.” Do not plan your savings after you plan your spending, because If money problems are rearing experience shows that those who their ugly heads at you and causing try this rarely succeed. You may tension in your family, consider decide to make this a percentage the following three-step plan for of your income, and this will successful money management. probably change as you go through the various stages of life.
3. SPEND THE REST ON WHAT YOU NEED. The key to good money management is expense management. We need to learn to live below our means and be content with what God has given us. This is hard for all of us, but it is an important life lesson. The key is to develop a good budget, which is basically a spending plan. Try keeping a log every time you spend money so that you can improve your budget understanding. Then examine your habits and determine how you would like to proceed and where you need to cut back.
Be committed to this plan and do not be discouraged if you do not see results for the first two or three months. It takes time to break old habits, and if you have gotten yourself into a financial hole it will take time to dig back out. Be patient and stick to your budget spending, because it really All financial planners will tell you does work. that the sooner you start saving the more you will be able to save, Above all, listen to what God may As Christians, our first financial so plan to start right now. be saying to you through your fipriority, just as in every other area nancial circumstances. Finances of life, should be God and His can be a dividing factor in marwork. The issue of managing all of riage, but they can also bring you our gifts, including our finances, together in a new and deeper way, is of great importance to God. as you trust God together and folFiguring out how much to give as low His plan. a minimum is fairly easy, as the Bible instructs us to give a tithe, or one tenth or our income back to God.
1. GIVE TO GOD FIRST
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The Role of In a healthy Relationship
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e live in a fast-paced world where a touch of a button gets a meal prepared within a few minutes by the microwave oven. Similarly through the internet a message can be sent from one end of the world to another end in an instant. Regardless of the various high speed activities witnessed by the world there are good reasons why the normal term for carrying babies remain ideally still at nine months inside the womb, the rest period for footballers at the end of the first half remains 15 minutes and motorists are still advised not to instantly open the covers of their vehicle water tanks once their engines are heated. The key in this regard is WAITING. The Holy Bible makes it crystal clear that the absence of the ability to wait guarantees only one thing…………….. Loss of direction. Proverbs 19:2 says
“ It is not good to have zeal without knowledge nor to be hasty and miss the way.”
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Mr. Kofi Wusu
the ample time between Mary taking seed and Joseph getting ready to set Mary aside allowed God to work on the heart and mind of Joseph. This WAITING -THE RARE BUT period of waiting enabled Joseph REWARDING VIRTUE to fully appreciate what was really The art of waiting played a pivotal happening. Waiting therefore can be role in the lives of a young man and said to produce the true PICTURE a young lady who were selected by of every situation. God to be the earthly parents of the 4. According to verses 24 & baby Jesus. This occurred in Mat25, the baby Jesus became the most thew 1:18-25 important aspect of their relation1. According to verse 18, Mary ship. This transformed them from was pledged to be married to Joseph being ordinary husband and wife yet they had not engaged in premari- into a special couple. It is very disturbing to realize the fact that moving in haste results in missing the way.
tal sex. This decision to wait was As we continue to learn and pracnot by accident but a PERSONAL tice the art of waiting, let us draw CHOICE. strength from the fact that when 2. According to verse 19, Joseph, the prodigal son had rushed and knowing very well that he had not touched Mary sexually considered over a period of time, how to set Mary aside with no public disgrace. This decision to wait and reflect reveals a rare virtue- waiting produces PROOF of our real value or worth in the eyes of our partner. 3.
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Waiting
According to verses 20 & 21,
crashed, the Father had these words for the elder brother who had chosen to wait, “Son, you are always with me, and ALL that I have is yours”. (Luke 15:31) IT PAYS TO WAIT.
Mr. & Mrs. Mintah
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t is about 32 years now since we gave our life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout this period we have encountered a lot of people in the work of God. These days many who are doing the ministry are experiencing more and more frustrations and it pains us to see a person who started on an assignment for God to be disappointed in midstream. God wants us to do due diligence before we embark on anything for him. Note the saying of Jesus Christ.
1. Count the cost and see if you can finish the building before you start – this is due diligence. 2. You don’t put your hand to the plough and turn back. 3. A soldier cannot be at the battlefield and mingle in home affairs. 4. Take your cross and follow me. In all these there is clearly a part for man to play. So the “God himself will do it” attitude is not the way of God. God will do it, yes but through us for the bible says he works through us. It is wrong for one to assume that one can just enter the race and since one is working for God things will work out. The truth is that, there are rules and ways for doing God’s
MUCH PAIN ?
Marriage Life
WHY IS THERE SO
work and unless we recognize them plans accordingly and set out a and work accordingly, He will not strategy for rolling out the plans. “do his work” as we put it. James says if we lack wisdom we should ask God who is ready to give It is sad to say that people enter us liberally. If there is one thing for into marriage with the same which we need God’s wisdom, it is attitude and are quick to point marriage. If you want to get married to their grandparents that they seek proper counseling, the ‘rules’. never had counseling but married Learn how to contract and conduct successfully. This is a deception. a marriage relationship. Until and It is a fact that in the days gone unless you do that, you will learn by there were very well laid out the rules through the hard way and traditional systems through which that will be at a very high cost to young ladies and men were helped you. to enter into marriage. They were counseled through these systems. Today, there is too much pain going on in many spheres of life because So we who know Christ should we are trying to do things our own do better to avoid unnecessary way. But the true way is there. pains which abound in modern marriages. Please seek proper counseling and be taught the right way. Marriage is an institution of God and one who enters it should not do so without reference to God’s pattern of marriage. Do not assume that once you get married things will work out because you love yourselves. There is a way to go about it and this has been given by God. Don’t take things for granted. The Bible says we should go to the ant and learn. We need the wisdom of God for every endeavor including marriage. Wisdom is having the right knowledge and applying it in the right way. The ant knows between seasons and therefore
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Kharis Media Holds Maiden Edition
of
Spiritpreneurship K Summit 2014
haris Media Limited for the first time hosted Ghana’s leading Christian Entrepreneurs and Business Executives in a one day summit dubbed Spiritpreneurship Summit at the plush African Regent Hotel in Accra. The event which took place on the 29th of March 2014 recorded about 250 delegates from the following industries: media, technology, aviation, manufacturing, education, law, insurance, banking and finance, telecoms, politics just to name a few.
In his opening remarks, the founder of the Spiritpreneurship Summit and CEO of Kharis Media Limited, Mr. Randy Osae Bediako explained that “Spiritual Entrepreneurship embodies synthesizing spirituality with the art of creating wealth. We believe that making money should not be entirely separated from living a spiritual life.
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This was what led us to put together this ground breaking summit”.
All the speakers were unanimous in their thoughts that it is time for the Christian entrepreneur or business leader to utilize all available spiritual resources within to achieve outstanding results in their field of business. Participants were also urged to project Christ in their respective places of work whether as entrepreneurs or employees. Four guest speakers made highly-spirited presentations that left participants yearning for more; Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan (Founder & CEO, Laine Services) spoke on “Doing Business, Loving God and Touching Lives”; Dr. Robert Djangmah(Cofounder & CEO, Elite Kingdom Investment & Consulting) addressed participants on “The Making of a Spiritual Entrepreneur”; Mr. George Addison(Managing Director, Star-
Life Assurance) focussed on, ”Standing out in the marketplace” and Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh (Head, Asset Management, Databank Group) on “Why God Wants You To Be Rich”. As part of the summit, nine marketplace apostles were honoured. They included the four guest speakers and five other business leaders and entrepreneurs. Among those who were honoured were Mr. Kojo OheneKyei, CEO, IFS Financial Services, Mr. Eric Ebo Acquah, CEO, Blue Rose Ltd, Mr. Joseph Mintah, CEO, Jo-Mint & Associates, Dr. Kwame Kyei, CEO, Unity Group of Companies and Mr. William Ato Essien, Founder, First Capital Plus Bank. The event was lighted with two song ministrations from Pastor Isaiah Ofosu Kwakye and Minister Jeshurun Okyere. Spiritpreneurship Summit was sponsored by The CocaCola Company, StarLife Assurance, FirstbanC Financial Services, Laine Services, Elite Kingdom Investment, African Regent Hotel and Effusion Africa.
Photography By Team1000words / www.team1000words.com
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Keep Fit
STEWARD OR OWNER? Rev. Dr. And Mrs. Linda Larbi
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y thoughts have been drawn lately to Jesus’s thoughts on good stewardship and it’s relevance to his coming. LUKE 11:42 (KJV) “And the Lord said, who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season” In the earlier verses of this same Chapter, Jesus uses varied examples to underline some essential qualities of a good Steward. 1. A good steward recognizes that what he has is actually owned by someone and therefore does not conduct himself as if he were the owner. A mistake the rich fool made, failing to realize that he was only a temporary custodian of his life.
“And I will say to my soul, soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But god said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee:then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided” Luke 12:19,20. (KJV)
3. A good steward is always mindful of a day of reckoning with the owner of what has been entrusted to him. Hence a good steward lives with a sense of accountability.
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open him immediately” Luke 12:35 ,36. (KJV)
2. A good steward recognizes that the owner of what he has in his custody is the one ultimately responsible for the sustenance/ survival of the thing. A steward trusts the owner to provide what is required for the maintenance of the thing in his custody. This is a May the Lord find us faithful and point Jesus stressed. wise stewards. “Therefore I say to you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat;neither for the body, what ye shall put on…and seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind” Luke 12:22, 29. (KJV)
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APOSTLE Afresa Taylor inaugurates Destiny Empowerment Chapel International on Spintex Road.
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postle Bernard Afresa Taylor, the Founder and General Overseer of the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International on February 9, 2014 inaugurated the Ghana branch of the ministry on the Spintex Road in Accra. The occasion was attended by some dignitaries such as Hon. Samuel and Mrs. Isis Salas-Mensah, Hon. Prof. Joshua Alabi and his wife, Prof. Mrs. Goski Alabi. Various leading ministers of the gospel both in Ghana and beyond also graced the occasion. In attendance were Dr. Lawrence Tetteh of the World Miracle Outreach(UK), Rev. Dr. Ampiah Kofie of Global Revival Ministries, Bishop Agyeman Prempah (New Jersey), Rev. Prophet Amoako Atta(New Jersey), Apostle Abraham, Bishop Merrick Habile, Maritburg Christian Centre(South Africa), Rev. Prophet Emmanuel Baidoo, Victory Bible Church(United Kingdom), amongst others.
The DECI host three weekly services: a “Celebration and a Prophetic Night of Deliverance” service on Sundays; “Word of Explosion” on Wednesdays and “Grace Encounter” service on Fridays. Apostle Taylor is the host of the “Prophetic Convocation”, an annual international conference that brings believers from all walks of life together. He is a seasoned servant of God, an author and a life coach. His prolific ministry traverses the prophetic and the apostolic calling. He preaches and teaches the Word of God with such passion and depth of revelational knowledge. The astounding insights he unearths about the mysteries of
Apostle Taylor is also the President of the Bernard Taylor World Outreach. The ministry has the vision of empowering people through the teaching of God’s word to excel in all facets of life. This vision is anchored on a mission that seeks to empower people spiritually, develop them educationally, expose them culturally, activate them politically and strengthen them economically. The philosophy of the ministry is premised on integrity, excellence, accountability, practical Christianity and human dignity. KHARIS
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the Word of God are phenomenal, revolutionary and empowering to the Body of Christ. Apostle Taylor’s ministerial thrust centres on revival, hope and restoration to the Body of Christ. He is a highly sought-after conference speaker and has ministered to numbers in Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe, Southern Africa, Asia, and East Africa. He is happily married to Rev. Mrs. Naomi Afresa Taylor. The couple is blessed with a wonderful son, Merrick Habile Taylor.
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A Life Changing Book By
Apostle Bernard Afresa Taylor
Call us for your copies
+233 (0) 576 077 950 +233 (0) 546 362 007
Mrs. Dzigbordi DOSOO
[Founder / C.EO, Allure Africa Group]
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ANOINTED to TRANSFORM Adventures Of A Catalytic Change Maker
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hat kind of outcome do you expect to get after subjecting a young girl to the following conditions?: Raised in a typical traditional home among seven strong boys, initiated into entrepreneurship at the tender age of 12 under the tutelage of grandma and dad with a very busy-travelling mother? Of course, an entrepreneur extraordinaire and a catalyst for change in a drastically changing world where many people are struggling to find their true purpose and live for God. To say that Mrs. Dzigbordi Dosoo is an embodiment of God’s matchless grace, distinctive diligence, determination, an ever growing desire for more territories and an attitude of excellence is no understatement. “I am a multi-faceted, multi-skilled but anchored within the grace of God and pushed by the anointing of God. I believe I wasn’t born to do one thing. In form, I am an individual, but in function, I was called to do different things”, she explains. Mrs. Dzigbordi K. Dosoo is a dynamic multi-faceted and multiskilled Entrepreneur, Business Expert, International Speaker, Lifestyle, Image and Wellness Coach and a Talk Show Host. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Allure Africa Group, an award winning premier Spa & Lifestyle Business headquartered in Accra Ghana with an office in Washington DC, USA. Allure Africa Group has 5 brand subsidiaries which include Lifestyle
Coaching and Speaking Services, Image Consulting Services, Day Spa and Men’s Grooming locations, Product Sales and distribution company that is a resource partner to the Spa and Beauty industry in Africa and a manufacturer’s representative of 16 Spa and Beauty brands including own collection. These subsidiaries are Allure Spa in The City, Allure Sales and Distribution Company, Allure College, Image By Allure, and Kanshi. She is a Chief Business Consultant driving the strategic management and advisory work of leading conglomerate and multinational group based in Accra and Dubai. Dzigbordi describes herself as a coach and a speaker by profession, an entrepreneur by calling and a ministry-servant-called to transform lives through impartation, and impact to make people revolutionaries for the kingdom of God. Dzigbordi’s background perhaps had prepared her for her outstanding success. Her upbringing was not your typical girl child experience. “I come from a family of eight, seven boys and the only girl being myself. The last born for that matter and I had to fight for everything. I fought for everything in my life. I grew up fighting because; my brothers will always attempt taking everything that belonged to me. So I grew up fighting for what I wanted. Sometimes, my father will step in and fight for me if I could not stand the fight. It was that tough!”. But it wasn’t just about fighting. Ms. D’, as she is affectionately called, also enjoyed the benefit of being the only girl in the family. “It felt great growing up
because I had a bunch of protective brothers. I also got along well with my father. However, I was literally raised by my grandmother and not my mother because she often travelled”. Dzigbordi had had the rare privilege of working with three key entrepreneurs in her early years; her father, a trained lawyer who had a bakery, her grandma who sold Piccadilly biscuits and a business man who dealt in rental video. Her grandma was a very successful entrepreneur of the time having built houses and made a lot of fortune from business despite her little education. Dzigbordi’s path into entrepreneurship was accidental. “The Allure story started in 1997 when, I returned to Ghana after studying and working in the US for several years. I landed in Ghana armed with a degree in finance, a successful stint in banking, my faith in God, my determination, a passion for wellness & beauty and a love of fashion.” She said. “In April, what was to become Allure started as a two–person salon in a living room in Osu. I realized that the concept of Spa was nonexistent and I chose to start from the bottom within the salon industry, grow within it, educate and advocate until we were ready for the Spa concept. At the time I had a full time job in the financial services industry which meant very long hours. I had also started a catering and event planning business with a very close friend. Allure started on August 3, 1998 in Osu. I had been taking courses to help develop my image and beauty when I chanced upon the opportunity to start Allure. It all happened when I went to my KHARIS
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salon to do my hair. I met these young ladies who shared their challenge with me. According to the ladies, their madam had travelled and left the shop for them. But they were about to be ejected in the next two weeks. The ladies not knowing their fate resorted to Dzigbordi for assistance. What was meant to be a misfortune for the ladies became a well of life for Dzigbordi. She seized the opportunity with both hands and started the business with just thirty cedis. The interesting thing however was that the business did not look glorious as Dzigbordi saw it. “Sadly, there was no single client for the first three months”. Nevertheless, that did not discourage her at all. She managed to find ways to survive the storm during those periods including asking for a lot of assistance from people. She will sometimes go to some of her friends or her pastor to get food to eat. “We’ve all received help before”, she humbly admitted. Considering 30 KHARIS
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experience,
Dzigbordi makes a strong but rather controversial statement on seeking for help. “I tell people that there is nothing wrong with begging. Begging is a process of opportunity. The only thing you must remember is that the people you begged are the people you must go and bless when it is well with you. Begging and blessing go together”. But she was quick to add that begging should not be abused. “When you have a purpose and you are in real need, it’s ok to beg or ask for help-rather than go on the blank side of life. Ask for help”, she said emphatically. Mrs. Dzigbordi Dosoo rededicated her life to the Lord somewhere in the late 80s at Baiden Powell Memorial Hall at the International Central Gospel Church. Her first born again experience was at a Scripture Union meeting with one Pastor Clement from Victory Bible Church International when he visited the school at Accra Girls Senior High School. She was then to travel to the US to study. Sadly, her joy of salvation and love
for Jesus did not last long in the new environment where she found herself. She went back to the world but the Lord did not give up on her. “I left to the US and the hustle and bustle got me going back to my former worldly lifestyles. It was a crazy experience. One such incidence that catalyzed the change was a neardeath experience that I had. I think it was one of the things that made me believe that God was in control of my life even though I had strayed afar. I was on a drinking spree whilst driving four other people. I was driving with Vodka under my seat. I will drive over a distance and when I felt sleepy, I will drink it to energize myself. Come to think of it, I could have killed everybody including myself but God delivered me. The interesting thing was that the moment I was able to find my way to the house and got out of the car, I blacked out. That made me understand that, it was not the Vodka that was keeping me, but rather, it was God’s mighty hand. That was what led me to start attending Action Chapel
International again in Washington DC, for many years. When I returned to Ghana, I attended Living Streams Ministries International for 16 years”. But what led Dzigbordi to leave the States where she was successfully plying her banking trade for over eight years? Having worked with a number of financial institutions where she even rose to top management position, one could not belief that a young professional could easily abandon such a great opportunity, but she did. “People think that, risk is an entrepreneurial thing but I took many risks on Jesus Christ-I don’t call it faith, I call it risk on Christ. I belief that sometimes, what you do can move God to act on your behalf. My coming back to Ghana was based on a prophetic word I had received. I got a word from God when Rev. Dr. Markwei was invited to preach in my church at Washington DC that where I was in the US was not God’s plan for me. That was a confirmation because before then, I had been praying about leaving the US. God was dealing with me but I needed confirmation. When I got the word, I did not hesitate at all.” I came literally with nothing having paid all my bills and armed with only $40.00, I landed on the shores of Ghana. I then served and grew spiritually under Living Streams Ministry International. Dzigbordi believes that her experiences had shaped her for her mission, ”Today, I belief that it was part of God’s plan for me to be raised by entrepreneurs before even continuing my education. The reason why I talk about transformation is that, a lot has happened in my own life. It’s like a lot of Christians hear God but they don’t live God. It was a leading that drove me back to Ghana from the US. My decision to obey the voice of God however came with a lot of challenges but God was gloried at the end. My grandmother who used to love me so much did not want me to live in the same house with her anymore when I returned to Ghana. She felt embarrassed seeing me around. It was so serious that even food was a challenge for me. They did everything
to make me feel bad enough but I resolved not to go back to the US. Rather than go back, I went to live with my Aunt at Sakumono Estates in Accra. It wasn’t an attractive place way back then as it is today. I just could not handle the pressure anymore.” As an Entrepreneur, Dzigbordi is passionate about raising the standards in the Lifestyle Industry in Africa to reach the Global Standard of Excellence. This focus has driven her
to lead her team to successfully launch the many pioneering projects and events such as establishing “Ghana’s first Day Spa”, Allure Spa In the City, the first ever National Image and Grooming Seminar named “Change your Image, Change your Life”, A first ever National Road show on Image, Relationship and Career for the youth named “Catalyst for Change” and first ever Spa and Beauty Expo in West Africa named IYABA to create a platform of Training, Education KHARIS
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and Networking for Spa and Beauty businesses among many others. She is a recognized empowering lifestyle coach and impactful speaker delivering seminars for top corporate organizations, groups and individuals in Africa. Her clients include organizations in banking, financial services, telecommunications, and manufacturing interalia. Her area of focus is Lifestyle, Image, Wellness, Relationship, Entrepreneurship and Careers. She also privately coaches individuals and executives. She hosts her own Talk Show “The Dzigbordi Show” which airs in 46 countries in Africa, the UK and Europe, which is a solution oriented lifestyle show that is
inspirational and informative delving into the unspoken thoughts of the average individual, the celebrity or the corporate personality. Dzigbordi’s educational qualifications include an Economics and Finance Degree from Virginia State University, Executive Education from Harvard University, Outstanding Certifications in Image and Lifestyle Consulting and Coaching, Spa Management, and Wellness Therapies. Dzigbordi started her early schooling at Tiny Tot Kindergarten at Ridge. In those days, the school of choice for most people was Merton Nursery School. From here, she attended the Ridge Church School and then to Accra Girls. Dzigbordi 32 KHARIS
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gained
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several
recognitions in her home country and abroad. She was named the prestigious “CIMG Marketing Woman of the Year” 2009. She has been featured in Top International and Spa Industry Press such as Spa Business Magazine, The Spa Hand Book Women’s Wear Daily, Pulse Magazine from the International Spa Association and Business in Africa among others. Today, Dzigbordi is focussed on developing, empowering, growing and impacting people and standards in Africa through Consulting, Coaching, Training, Education and Advocacy. She has a passion for young individuals believing that they can fly no matter how unconventional they are, and is a mentor to many. Dzigbordi is known to have a heart for Philanthropy, a
keen interest in the game of tennis and inspirational reading and a deep love for Prayer and Worship. She is married to Mr. Van-Lare Dosoo and they are blessed with a beautiful daughter. Story by: Randy Osae Bediako & Nelson Korkor
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Bishop Emmanuel Owusu Ansah
Celebrates
50
th
Birthday Anniversary
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B
ishop Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Founder and General Overseer of Kingdom Life Ministries(KLM) recently celebrated his 50th Birthday Anniversary. The event was held on Friday November 22, 2013 at Kingdom Life Ministries in London. Various dignitaries from across the world attended the special celebration which was also commemorated with a book launch titled “Dreaming Big In Small Places”. Bishop Ansah is “renowned for the anointing of healing, deliverance, breakthrough and prophetic revelation”. KLM has branches in London, UK and Ghana. Bishop Ansah holds a degree in Computer Science and Theology. He is also a sought after, dynamic motivational speaker and author who has visited many nations including the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the UAE. He strongly believes that the Church holds the key to the destinies of Third World Nations and has a passion for the socio-economic reconstruction of Africa. He also has diverse business interests financing the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth and his other philanthropic initiatives. Bishop Ansah has the following bestsellers to his credit: Dreaming Big in Small Places, Releasing the Spirit of Excellence, The Sword of Solomon, Power Ideas for Success and the quarterly daily devotional Power for Today. Bishop Ansah is married to Olivia and they are blessed with children. He can be connected to and followed on Bishopansah on facebook, @BishopAnsah on twitter and Bishop Ansah Channel on Youtube.
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Story by: Randy Osae Bediako & Nelson Korkor
A Special Feature On Five
Outstanding Christian-Oriented Companies In Ghana Kharis Media
Ltd.
M
aking money need not be entirely separated from living a spiritual life. We believe that it can and should be compatible. The concept of synthesizing spirituality and making money has been termed as Spiritual Entrepreneurship in some quarters. In this edition, we feature a special pull out on five of Ghana’s most outstanding corporate organizations who are integrating their faith into their business by driving the company with phenomenal ethical values and making investments in society that is transforming lives and culminating in trans-generational impact .
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L’AINE’S Unending Success Story
L
’AINE Services Limited is Ghana’s leading human resource development organization and a proud member of the Ghana Club 100. L’AINE has seen extensive growth over the years and after 20 years of providing excellent HR services, L’AINE now has over 3,000 members of staff made up of core staff and outsourced staff with its Head Office in Sakumono, Tema and branches, in Adabraka, Takoradi, Kumasi and an agency office in Tamale. Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan, after nearly a decade of work in HR and Administration at SGS Ghana Ltd. had a dream of building a worldclass HR organization in Ghana. Thus was the birth of L’AINE Services Limited (the word L’AINE is French for first-born or eldest),a self-owned, self-managed wholly Ghanaian company, founded in 1994 as an employment agency and training centre for secretaries and administrative staff. With a clearly stated vision to be the leading human resource organization in Ghana as well as in Africa; practically meeting HR needs 38 KHARIS
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with excellence and commitment, L’AINE has over the years developed from a recruitment agency to a full blown HR organization; providing a long list of HR solutions unlike any other company in Ghana. These services include; recruitment and job placement, outsourcing of staff to other companies, payroll services, training, organizational development, career counseling, interview grooming and preparation, staff transport services, salary survey and HR tools and products like management training videos and a Human Resource magazine. The founder and CEO of L’AINE Services Ltd., Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan is a devout practicing Christian who has built and developed her company with Christ at the centre. Her faith and belief in God is evident when one sets eyes upon the L’AINE office buildings in Sakumono and Adabraka where the inscriptions ‘JESUS IS LORD’ and ‘JESUS IS LORD INDEED’ are boldly displayed by the building’s signage respectively. That declaration that Jesus is the Lord of everything is clearly demonstrated in the values and culture of the organization. Staff morning devotion is a must, every day between 7:45am and 8:00am before work commences. On the first working day of every year, L’AINE holds a strategic meeting where all staff members from all branches convene at the Head Office to prepare spiritually, mentally and strategically for the year. During these meetings, renowned Christian and motivational speakers such as Rev. Gabriel Ayodeji (Men of Honour Ministries), Rev. Celia Apeagyei-Collins(The Rehoboth Foundation - UK) and Rev. Fiifi Pentsil (House of Worship – USA) have been invited to motivate and empower staff in leadership, busi-
ness excellence and high performance using real-life inspirational lessons and teachings from the Word of God. Apart from their staff, L’AINE has helped transform the lives of several through various Christian Business platforms, where Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan has spoken at, such as ICGC Lady Pastors’ Conference, Joyful Way Incorporated Annual Camp, Youth Empowerment Summit (YES), Achiever’s Summit, Citi FM’s Effective Living Series and Spiritpreneurship Summit, organized by Kharis Media Limited. As an avid writer, Dr. Mrs. Hagan writes for the Christian Sentinel – the magazine of the Methodist Church of Ghana – and has published three books. One of her books is a compilation of her articles, which cover diverse issues that affect the daily lives of Christians, and non-Christians alike, at home, in their communities and in the work place. With Christ at the centre, it is no wonder that L’AINE as a company and her CEO have received multiple awards both locally and internationally for excellence in business including the coveted and prestigious CIMG Marketing Performance Awards, Ghana Club 100 Awards, BID International Quality Awards and the International Christian Business Excellence Awards. She was recently honoured by Kharis Media Limited at their premier Spiritpreneurship Summit as a Marketplace Apostle for exemplifying christlike character and excellence in her chosen field of endeavour.
Unity Group:
Transforming Society
T
he Unity Group of Companies has interests in oil marketing, broadcasting, hospitality and the private security sectors of the economy. The group currently has a workforce of over 1,500. Between 1992 and 1995 Dr. Kyei, the CEO became a transporter for BOST in the haulage of petroleum products. In 1995, he established his first petroleum product retail outlet at Taifa, Accra and he became a dealer for the Ghana Oil Company Ltd. (GOIL) selling at commission. From this humble beginnings, he steadily expanded the business and was granted an Oil Marketing License by the National Petroleum Product Retail Authority leading to the establishment of Unity Oil Company in the year 2002. The company currently owns and operates a network of over fifty (50) petroleum outlets across the country. In addition to providing direct sales to customers from these retail outlets, Unity Oil provides bulk sales to a number of corporate clients in the mining, communications manufacturing sectors of the economy.
As a result of strict adherence to best practices and good corporate relations, the company is a well respected member of the petroleum downstream sector in Ghana. Unity Oil’s commitment to training and development of latest technology in its service stations has ensured that it stands out from its competitors. The company remains a reliable source of first class petroleum products from Ghana. In order to contribute to Ghana’s budding democratic culture and expanding media landscape, Light FM 94.9 MHz was established in Kumasi in the year 2006. The station is focused on providing programming that enhances social cohesion, civic education, religious morality and advocacy for the underprivileged in society. In 2008, the ultra-modern Sports Hotel was opened in Kumasi. The hotel boasts of world class executive suites, a modern conference centre, restaurant, gymnasium, pool, recreational centre and other ancillary facilities. Sports Hotel has carved a niche in the industry for quality service and has gained the reputation as the first stop for legendary Ghanaian hospitality. The latest addition to the Group is the Unicom Security Services Ltd which has the primary aim of providing high quality private security services to augment the services of our security agencies in the maintenance of law and order. The Unity Group since its establishment has made concrete efforts towards the development of society. In order to help in the discovery and development of talented youth in the music industry, Dr. Kyei instituted the Gospel New Star Reality Show under the auspices of the Unity Group. In the year 2010 the price package was a brand new car for the winner and a one year recording contract for all finalists. In 2011, the winning price was a fully furnished three (3) bed-
room flat with one year recording contract for all finalists. The ultimate price winner was a 15 year old girl from the King Jesus Charity Home. The Gospel New Star Reality Show has become a yearly event. Dr. Kyei provided GH¢ 20,000.00 for the payment of hospital bills of patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital who had been virtually stranded and could not be discharged for nonpayment of bills. Dr. Kyei sponsored the construction of Computer Laboratory and Reference Library at the Amankwatia M/A school at the cost of GH¢20,000.00. A total of over GH¢50, 000.00 is spent on support for various charity homes across the country. A donation of GH¢20, 000.00 was made in support of the Armed Forces in the Northern Command towards the construction of a modern gymnasium for the military in Kumasi. Since the year 2008, Dr. Kyei has sponsored the organization of an annual Fasting and Prayer service for peace in Ghana. The events have attracted a yearly average participation of over 40,000. Dr. Kyei currently serve as a patron for the Unity Ministerial Fellowship, a nationwide network of renowned Men of God whose sole aim is the promotion of peace and brotherliness amongst the people of Ghana. In the year 2010, Dr. Kyei received an Honorary Doctor of Services and Development degree from the International Ministerial Council of Europe, an affiliate of the University of Copenhagen. For the Unity Group, Dr. Kyei has high hopes. In his words “I believe we have laid a firm foundation. Our aim is to expand internationally and emerge as the preferred energy partner for West Africa and beyond”. He is married to Mrs. Favour Kyei. They are blessed with six children. Dr. Kyei has always demonstrated a knack for business and entrepreneurship.
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Kharis Media: Inspiring Change
K
haris Media Ltd. is a cutting edge Media oriented company founded on Christian principles with an audacious vision to be the world leader in the advancement of Gods Kingdom on earth through diversified media platforms and other business interests. Located in TemaGhana, kharis Media Limited has distinguished itself as experts in Publishing, Press and Outdoor Advertising, Graphic Design & Communication, Commercial Printing, Corporate Events and Courier Delivery Services. Founded in 2009 & reregistered in 2011 by Randy Osae Bediako a young vision-minded Ghanaian-based entrepreneur. Randy believes that he belongs to a new breed of entrepreneurs whose motivation for going into business is not primarily to satisfy a need and get rewarded for it, but most importantly to use business as a tool to advance the kingdom of God on earth. 40 KHARIS
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He refers to himself as a spiritpreneur, a term which he coined from two main words –spiritual and entrepreneur – meaning one whose business has a direct or indirect positive impact on God’s kingdom.
industry and a profound adherence to sound business practices governed by strong ethical values.
Kharis Media Limited also has a donor platform called Kharis Foundation dedicated to preaching the Good News to the poor, As founder and CEO of Kha- hopeless and underpriviledged ris Media Ltd, Randy oversees a in society. In 2010, Kharis Foungrowing indigenous print me- dation took the Good News dia business empire with eight to an Islamic SHS in Adansi sub business units which would Fomena(Ashanti Region) and eventually evolve into full-fledged paid the fees of thirteen intelligent companies under the Kharis but destitude students. Group. KML has complied with all naKharis Media Ltd. is popularly tional and local laws regarding known for its flagship product, business permits and other legal Ghana’s award winning BEST requirements of any kind. Christian magazine, Kharis Magazine. With a strong team of vibrant young professionals, strong core Spiritpreneurship Summit, the values and a desire to lift up the premier gathering of Christian flag of Jesus in the marketplace, Entrepreneurs and Business Lead- there is no stopping for the Kharis ers, is also an initiative of Kharis brand. Media Ltd. Kharis Media has partnered some of Ghana’s prestigious events such as August Worship, Festival of Ideas, The Experience and Adom Praiz just to name a few. Kharis Books, a publishing unit of Kharis Media Ltd. has within its very short time of existence churned out over 35 books, having published books for leading Christian ministers in Ghana and abroad. KML has become a preferred partner to several organizations and groups in Ghana and overseas. Many companies, individuals and institutions have benefited from their concepts, products and services. With just a few years of industry experience Kharis Media Ltd. has grown both in capacity and clientele having nurtured a spirit of
Leadership, the Databank Way.
income instruments. The fund provides attractive returns, and for the past five years has provided an average annual return of about 45%. Databank Foundation also engages in numerous activities, including adoption of the children’s ward of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the African Leadership Initiative West Africa, among others. Currently, Mr Keli Gadzekpo is the Chief Executive Officer of Databank, with Mr Ken Ofori-Atta as the Chairman of the Databank Group. The bank currently has four branches in Ghana and one each in Liberia and The Gambia.
D
atabank was founded in April 1990 to provide finance advisory to companies in Ghana. Today, Databank manages total assets in excess of GHC 600 million. Among its impressive business lines are Corporate Advisory, Fund Management, Research, Stock Brokerage, and Private Equity. Currently, Databank manages four leading mutual funds, namely EPACK, MFUND, Balanced Fund and Ark Fund. Due to Databank’s regard for ethics and good values, it has a set of principles, namely Leadership, Excellence, Humility and Integrity, shortened as “LEap HI”, which are rooted deep in the investment bank’s corporate culture and practices.
Looking back, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Co-founder & Executive Chairman, confesses, “It is surprising how very little thought we gave to the likelihood of riches and it is mindboggling to have admitted that there was no business plan. May be entrepreneurship is about a bespoke evolving plan, backed by expertise, very little money and a lot of passion”. Upon entering the premises of Databank’s head office at Adabraka, Accra, there’s a bold inscription of “To God be the Glory” on top of the building, giving credence to God’s mighty hand that has brought the company this far.
adjudged the 2nd Most Respected CEO in Ghana. They have also been involved in reputable transactions in the history of Ghana. Databank has maintained a 45%-60% market share each year since 1994 when they launched the brokerage outfit. The company has promoted debates about the crisis of leadership and spawned the Africa Leadership Initiative and through its efforts entrepreneurship has gained respectability and relevance in Ghana. Databank has also been at the forefront of advocacy for sovereign ratings, credit reference bureau, the national pension fund scheme, the Venture Capital Trust and other legislation aimed at modernizing financial operations. With its current portfolio size juxtaposed recent developments in the investment banking business; one does not need to be a rocket scientist to envision what Databank would be doing in the coming years.
Today, Databank’s success stories are simply numerous and still counting. The company is credited with spearheading the capital markets in Ghana. Ken and his colleagues also lead the wave of Ghanaian professionals in the DiIn the year 2009, Databank intro- aspora (“Returness”), returning to duced the Ark Fund, Ghana’s first Ghana in the 1990s. Databank in and only ethical mutual fund. Due the last 20 years and over emerged to its quest to satisfy religious and as an iconic African company and ethical people and groups, Data- in 2008 won the inaugural award bank started the Ark Fund which by PWC as the most respected invests in both equity and fixed company in Ghana, while Ken was KHARIS
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Unity Group holds
Thanksgiving Service
T
he Unity Group of companies held their Annual Thanksgiving Service early this year. The event was used to give thanks to God for His faithfulness shown towards the Unity Group of Companies and for peace in the country. Held on January 10, 2014 at Atonsu Unity Oil Holy Grounds premises, the gathering attracted over 15,000 participants who sang and danced to the glory of God. The event was graced with Archbishop Benjamin Rabbi (Israel), Archbishop Oheneba Adjei Men-
sah (Germany), Pastor Webster (United States) Dr. Benjamin Annor and Dr. Kwame Kyei, founder of the Unity Group of Companies. Some of Ghana’s finest gospel artistes such as DSP Kofi Sarpong, OJ, Cecilia Marfo, Elder Mireku were present to minister. Uche Agu (Nigeria) also came to grace the occasion with breathtaking and electrifying song ministrations.
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Kharis Magazine Honours Bishop
Charles Agyinasare
K
haris Magazine, published by Kharis Media Ltd, Ghana’s exclusive Christian media house on March 22, 2014 honoured Most Rev. Dr. Charles Agyinasare. He was given a Ministerial Lifetime Achievement Honour which read: “For Exceptional Leadership, Integrity and Commitment to Advancing the Cause of the Gospel Across the Nations”. In his presentation, the Editor-in-Chief who also doubles as the CEO of Kharis Media Limited, Randy Osae Bediako intimated that Bishop Aginasare had played a tremendous role in carrying the gospel to the world as well as setting an example of ministerial excellence. He also used the occasion to wish the Bishop a happy birthday. He was accompanied by the Business Development Manager, Nelson Korkor. Most Rev. Dr. Charles Agyinasare is the Presiding Bishop of over 500 Perez Chapel International and Associate Independent Churches Worldwide. The church began in 1987 in Tamale and relocated its headquarters to Accra. From an initial Sunday morning membership of seventy (70) adults in October 1994, the church has grown phenomenally to tens of thousands of people with 46 branches currently in the city of Accra, Ghana. He currently presides over a national and cosmopolitan congregation of several 46 KHARIS
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thousands of people in weekly attendance in the Perez Dome considered to be the largest auditorium currently in Ghana and referred to by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama (President of the Republic of Ghana) as “One of the Seven Wonders of Ghana” during the church’s 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service in Accra, Ghana in 2012. Bishop Agyinasare holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology from Vision International University, USA. In recognition to his distinguished service to humanity, he has been awarded two honorary doctorate Degrees in Divinity and Humanity from reputable Universities in Europe and India respectively. Bishop Agyinasare is the Head of the Miracle Relief and Social Services (MIRASOS), a Relief Agency that supplies clothes, books and relief items to the needy both in Ghana and on the continent of Africa. He is also the President of the Miracle Preparatory and Junior Secondary Schools in Damongo, Yeji, La and Ashalley Botwe all in Ghana. Bishop Agyinasare has been involved in World Evangelism for three decades and has travelled to about 78 nations including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Ukraine, Israel, Brazil, India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Islamic Kingdom of Bahrain, Japan and many countries in Africa. His gospel campaigns have
recorded over 300,000 people in a single meeting. Bishop Agyinasare is a missionary statesman whose impact has transcended national boundaries. In recognition to his tremendous work and achievement, he was the recipient of the Senate of Texas Declaration, an honorary citizenship award of Texas in 1998 and a Congressional award in 2012. In 2007, he was the recipient of Member of the Order of the Volta, one of Ghana’s highest national honours conferred on him by the then President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor for his impact in Global Ministry and Championing African Excellence. In Ghana, Bishop Agyinasare is regarded by many as a statesman whose influence transcends his immediate church boundaries. Bishop Agyinasare’s audiences have ranged from ordinary people to the highly influential including distinguished Statesmen and Presidents both in Ghana and the West African sub-region. Over the years he has championed the course of National and Continental Peace within the West African sub-region by undertaking a number of Sub-Regional Peace Driven Initiatives. In 1996, He had the rare privilege of praying for President Jerry John Rawlings, then President of the Republic of Ghana during the Emancipation Day Celebrations.
Since 2001, he has consistently led the Nation of Ghana to pray and intercede for God’s Hand during elections and the different transitions in Ghana’s political landscape. He was part of a team of eminent church leaders sent to His Excellency Kofi Annan, the then UN Secretary General to get him to initiate Peace between then President John Agyekum Kufuor and former President Jerry John Rawlings the two Statesmen whose relationship had become strained over the years. In December, 2008 at the heat of Ghana’s Presidential runoff, he made a passionate appeal through his television and radio broadcast to the then sitting President His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor to speak to the issues of Peace and urged Ghana’s Electoral Commission to be bold in its official declaration of the election results. On the continent of Africa, Bishop Agyinasare, in addition to his Miracle Healing Crusades designed to bring healing and restoration to many hurting and oppressed people through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has also been instrumental in many diplomatic initiatives. In 2001, he was the Guest Speaker for the National Thanksgiving Service for the President of Cote-D’lvoire, His Excellency Laurent Gbagbo and followed up with a Peace Campaign in 2002 after Cote d’Ivoire National Crises at the Palais de Sports attended by Laurent Gbagbo and other National dignitaries. In the same year, he was instrumental in helping Zambia after Chiluba to reorient themselves for a peaceful election and transition by praying for the then Vice President, Enoch Kavindale.
In 2003, Bishop Agyinasare was much involved in the peace process in Togo after the Togolese elections by organising a meeting with over 3000 leaders in the Palais de Congress and initiating a discourse predicated on Peace and Stability in the aftermath of the elections and this effort, endeared him to President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo and his Prime Minister. In the aftermath of extreme volatile situations in Maiduguri and Kano in Northern Nigeria where several churches were burnt in religious violence in 2010, his meetings drew between 200,000 and 300,000 in a single night offering hope and restoration through the Gospel to many. He is a member of the Board of Regents of the Central University College. He is also the President of the Perez College. He also oversees the Miracle Academies of Damongo and Yeji respectively.
Bishop Agyinasare also serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Precious TV, a christian digital TV Channel. He is married to Rev. Mrs. Vivian Agyinasare and they are blessed with three adult children and an adopted daughter. Dr. Selaise Agyinasare, Mr. Francis Nyamekye Agyinasare, Ms. Charlene Agyinasare and Ms. Clementina Quarshie.
His television programmes reach millions in Ghana, Nigeria, across Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, whilst his radio broadcasts are on major radio stations across Ghana. Bishop Agyinasare is the author of over 25 books, some of which have been translated into French and Japanese. One of his books: Good Manners and Etiquette for Everyday Use published in 2002 has been accepted and recommended by the Ghana Education Service for Basic and Senior Secondary schools, training colleges and district libraries.
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W
e have heard and read a lot about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. What this simply means is that we are to make our presence felt as Christians. Let’s look at how we can achieve these practically as Christian women. Is it about quoting scriptures to all we see or proclaiming our Christianity in long arguments? Not all the time! As women, it’s the little things we do in our homes, our offices, marriages, relationships and schools. On campus, in our rooms, dorms or hostels, being salt and light doesn’t mean going to church all the time or playing loud Christian music all the time, it may mean offering a helping hand to that lady you see around who is returning to her room with a hand load of stuff. It can mean you have heard your class mate is sick so you take time to pass by and share a prayer or sometimes sharing some fruits with him or her. It means though your roommate brings all sorts of guys to the room which sometimes stifles your spirituality, one day you will share some drinks and biscuits for them when they come to visit your roommate.
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You see on campus or in our society in general, sometimes in our bid to show our Christianity we tend to do so forgetting the practical aspect of our “show”. You become salt when the people you meet leave your presence with hope, peace and upliftment of burdens. Everyone who came in contact with our Lord, our role model left with joy, peace and hope. You become light not when you criticize those who are struggling with their walk of faith, but you become light when you live to set examples for such people. In marriage, Salt means you preserve the beautiful marriage God has given you. That is to mean no matter the challenges you face as the woman, take a stand for the Lord and refuse to kowtow to the decay that is trying to ruin things. When the bad times come as salt, you refuse to engage in fights and disgrace of your spouse but you look to the Lord for strength to hold the forth till the storm passes. You take steps to do all that it takes to make the marriage work. You may need to do a total makeover of your personality but hey, salt is what is needed in that marriage to stand.
Woman
The Christian Woman as Salt and Light
Mrs. Lois Osae Bediako
That is one way, but practically you show forth light when you show by your character love, kindness, gentleness and humility to him and to all those around you. That is what will attract him to the lord you serve. At work, it is not about showing your superiority, but showing kindness to your subordinates, by correcting firmly but respectfully and by showing appreciation and encouraging the good in them. By being respectful and obedient to your superiors and supporting them in the work assigned to you. By being humble to all even the security men and janitors and not oppressing your office mates because you out rank them. There are so many other practical ways of being salt and light, the underlining idea is, as a Christian woman, wherever you find yourself, you must have a conscious attitude of leaving a trail of sweetness behind. God bless you. Get your perspective right.
You become light not when you insist on going for every church programme to pray for your unbelieving spouse.
Mrs. Lois Osae Bediako (Esq) Kappa Edition 2014
We have seen a New Africa.
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Inspiration
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MATTERS of FAITH IN THE MARKETPLACE
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know that a banker can work efficiently in a bank. Have you ever seen a professional teacher who doesn’t teach? Even if he doesn’t teach, he still deploys his teaching skills and knowledge acquired in whatever vocation he finds himself. Thus, a saying goes that once a teacher, always a teacher. A professional teacher is supposed to teach. An administrator is supposed to administer or manage. Imagine a vehicle full of professional drivers but is being driven by a disappointed truck pusher. What will happen to the vehicle and the passengers? Your guess is as good as mine. A believer in Christ must practice his/her faith in the marketplace. Any believer who fails to market or showcase his/her faith in the marketplace is creating opportunities for evil practices to thrive. Our lives as believers must challenge others to live righteously in the marketplace. Our world of business has been taken over by wrong people. Our institutions and businesses are being led and driven by greedy, disappointed, selfish,
Mr. George Kojo Addison food and provides flavor. Light makes a big difference in darkness. Wherever there is light, there is hope, there is comfort, there is assurance, and there is direction. Darkness runs away whenever light appears and evil does not triumph in a place where light is. Light exposes lies and corruption. It also exposes selfishness and greed. If all The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 10:7: heavenly minded believers will, I have seen servants upon horses, for once, fear God and begin to and princes walking as servants live or practise their profession upon the earth. According to as Christians, evil practices in the Bible, this is an error. True the marketplace will begin to believers of Christ must wake up wane and wither. and begin to let the light in them glow and shine wherever they are. If believers really want this error to be corrected then, we need to walk the talk. We must begin to let the WORD in us walk. and ungodly people – people without fear of God. We have the wrong people at the right places and that is the cause of our woes and disappointments. If we have the right people at the wrong places, they will help make these places better. Our businesses, institutions, and organizations need to have men and women who have the mind of Christ.
PRACTISE THE PROFESSION Christ told his disciples in the famous Sermon on the Mount that they are the SALT of the earth and the LIGHT of the world. Believers should live as salt and light in the marketplace. Salt preserves KHARIS
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The StarLife Family Protection Plan is a unique renewable term life assurance policy designed to provide peace of mind and cash benefits to the families of breadwinners and their spouses against death, total and permanent disability, dreaded disease and redundancy.
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nurses to usher him in. I felt sick the moment he entered my office. “This can’t be my patient!” I thought. He was a complete physical mess: he was emaciated, disheveled and haggard. His eye balls threatened to fall out of their sockets any moment. He looked older; his body had sagged and the wrinkles on his face prefaced his sad story. I summoned courage and asked him, “What happened to you?” He began to tell me his story. He has been out of job after the accident. With the loss of an arm and a leg, he could do nothing to earn a living. The toll of looking after a wife and three kids and the financial demands of city life had driven him to the village. Perhaps, Providence would be sympathetic to his plight, he hoped. “Doc-tor,” his voice shivered, “I am like this because I cannot even eat… though I am hungry. My whole life has come to a halt...” The pain in his voice sent my mind wandering for a way out of this messy end to life’s uncertainties. As I pondered on his tragedy, a window of hope opened up like a ray of light in pitch darkness – if Mr. Koomson had subscribed to the StarLife Family Protection Plan by simply contributing only GHC30.00 a month, he would have enjoyed a comprehensive benefit cover of GHC7, 500.00 when he was involved
in the accident. This money could have helped him cater for all his bills as well as his family. Why should this happen to Mr. Koomson when he could have avoided this misfortune by simply subscribing to the StarLife Family Protection Policy. Dear Reader, never let this happen to you. Call StarLife today and subscribe to this policy.
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Spirit of Life
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here are all kinds of life and every life has laws governing it. Animal life has it’s laws and so has human life it’s own laws. Law here doesn’t mean ‘Thus shalt not’. It means a principle. There is a principle at work in every kind of life. For instance, the sheep cannot fly no matter how much it tries. It is not in the kind of life he has to fly. Dogs know that they are supposed to guard. Nobody teaches them to bark when there is a stranger. It is a principle at work in the kind of life they have. You do not have to teach a fish to swim. But no matter the swimming lessons you give to a cat, it can never swim. Human life also has some laws. For instance of all God’s creatures on earth, only mankind has the principle of speech. No matter the training you give to a dog, it can never speak. On the other hand, you don’t need to give a child any lessons on how to speak. Once the child is growing normally, he will be able to speak. This is because there is a principle of speech in the life he has. Before man sinned, he had a perfect human life. He didn’t have the uncreated eternal life of God called ZOE. After the fall of man, a principle of sin and death set in. It first of all killed his spirit instantly. It then went on to corrupt the soul(mind, emotions, will), until it eventually killed his body.
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This principle ran through all those who came after Adam. Now anybody who comes into this world has this principle running through him. Natural man doesn’t have to be taught to sin. Children don’t need to be taught to lie or be selfish. It comes somewhat naturally. The reason is that there is a principle that is at work in human nature. It is this principle of sin and death that made us enemies of God.(Colossians 1:21) It was this same principle of sin and death which made us walk according to the course of this world(Ephesians 2:1-3).
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law[PRINCIPLE] of sin and death.(NKJV)
Equipping The Saints
The Law of the Joe Mintah
Now, when you become born again, another law or principle is set into motion. This law abolishes the law of sin and death from your spirit. This law is the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The old law that produced all kind of evil in us is abolished from the spirit. However our minds have to be trained to respond to the law of the Spirit of Life and our bodies too have to be trained to respond to that law. So after the law of sin and death has been abolished and the law of life is put in charge, we need to present our bodies as living sacrifice and renew our minds. In our next edition, we shall examine some of the principles which govern the life we have received from God himself.
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“It is difficult but not impossible to conduct an entirely honest business deal”
– Mahathma Ghandi –
Even in our times this can be done. With the help of the Holy Spirit it is possible. Roads can be cut through mountains, rock deposits, the sea bed, even in space to the moon, if one has the knowhow and appropriate technology. It may be difficult but not impossible. KHARIS
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