Presbyterian Church of Ghana

Fifty years ago, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) made a historic decision that changed the face of ministry in the church. In 1976, at the 47th Synod held in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Presbytery, the church unanimously accepted women into ordained ministry.

This year, as the Presbyterian Church of Ghana celebrates the golden jubilee of that decision, it is an opportunity not only to celebrate how far the church has come, but also to reflect on the struggles, sacrifices, achievements and opportunities that have shaped the journey of women in ministry.

The story was revisited during the Annual Women Ministers’ Workshop held at the Presbyterian Women’s Centre, Abokobi from September 5^th to September 10^th, 2026. On September 8^th, Rev. Dr. Ernestina Afriyie led a symposium that provided a platform to reflect on the significant contributions of women to the church and the continuing journey of women in the ordained ministry.

She stated that, Rev. Dora Ofori Owusu was the first woman commissioned in the PCG in 1976 while Rev. Gladys Maku Nyarko subsequently became the first woman to be ordained in 1979. The women who answered the call to ministry had to navigate deeply rooted cultural and traditional perceptions about women in leadership. Although the church had accepted their ordination, women were initially restricted from serving as District Ministers and were largely assigned to chaplaincy roles in institutions. Some members even struggled to accept women administering the sacraments. Despite these challenges, the female ministers continued to serve faithfully. Through their commitment, the perceptions gradually began to change, creating greater opportunities for the pioneering ministers to move steadily into congregational leadership and other areas of service within the church.

This milestone reflects the steady progress women have made in ordained ministry, from the pioneering ministers of the early years to those now serving in key leadership positions across the Church. Several female Ministers have had the opportunity to serve in significant leadership roles, including Rev. Alice Kyei Anti – the first female Chairperson of West Akyem Presbytery, Rev. Esther Abam Adjetey – Clerk of Ga Presbytery, Rev. Elizabeth Aduama Volta Presbytery Clerk, Rev. Rose Akua Ampofo – first Director of the Presbyterian Women’s Centre, Abokobi and Rev. Esther Ohene Kwafo – first female Director of Church Life and Nurture at the General Assembly Office.

These achievements demonstrate the growing presence and leadership of women in the PCG Church with two hundred and twenty-three (223) women in ordained ministry as of 2025, and additional 16 women to be commissioned in 2026, bringing the total number to two hundred and thirty-nine (239).

As PCG celebrates 50 years of women’s ordination, the journey stands as a story of faith, courage, perseverance and transformation. The church has come a long way since that historic decision in 1976, but the conversation continues: how can the God-given gifts, talents and leadership abilities of women be fully utilized in building the church?

The journey that began with a single historic decision has become a lasting contribution to the life and mission of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana—and the next chapter is still being written.