“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. After they were come to Mysia they assayed to go into Bithynia but the spirit suffered them not”. Acts 16:6-7

The arrival of Rev. Andreas Riis in the Gold Coast 170 years ago had profoundly changed evangelism of the Gold Coast area s for the advantage of the mulattos and gave evangelism a new focus. Although driven into the hinterland, Akuapem Mountains, where the deadly mosquitoes and malaria were less prevalent, a sober reflection on the success story, points to the direction of God. The Akropong experiment made the hinterland the focus of evangelism and made Akropong the center of Basel Mission enterprise. From there other districts were reached. The Presbyterian Church became rural. Other missionary bodies saw the light and began to move inland. A new evangelism strategy was born.

The Akropong traditional authority accepted the Gospel. Nana Addo Dankwa I made very useful suggestion for the firm rooting of the Gospel in Akropong church and traditional authority co-operation has existed till today to the mutual benefit of all.

The work of Rev. Andreas Riis in Akropong and Akuapem in general as base camp has given Akuapem a unique place in the history of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. The humility and courteous behavior of the Akuapems, which is proverbial, are relics of Calvinistic ethics that had tricked to us from the era of Riis.

Subsequent missionary efforts developed the linguistics potential of the language. The history of the work of Riss, the new beginning of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Christ Church, Akropong are inseparable.

All men of goodwill join you to celebrate this epoch event. I venture to suggest the celebration should touch the housing of agents in the most rural settings to renovate and refurbish them as tribute to Rev. Andreas Riis who saw housing of agents as part of his mission strategy.

Blessed be the name and work of Andreas Riis. Blessed be the work of all engaged in propagating the Gospel and glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Congratulation and God bless you.

REV. E. S. MATE – KODJO Former Synod Clerk.