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Ghana | Interfaith gathering at the Army Combat Training School (ACTS) in Ghana

Posted on Mai 18 2026

Ghana | Interfaith gathering at the Army Combat Training School (ACTS) in Ghana

ACCRA, GHANA – In a historic interfaith gathering at the Army Combat Training School (ACTS) in Teshie, the General Vice President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Professor Robert Osei-Bonsu, has called on military officers to anchor their leadership and lives in “the Faithful Friend,” Jesus Christ.
On May 10, 2026, Pastor Professor Osei-Bonsu was the guest preacher at the Induction Religious Parade for the Advance Drill & Duties Course 1-2026, held at TRADOC Hall. The event, themed “Anchored in the Faithful Friend Jesus Christ,” marked the beginning of a new tradition at the School: committing every course into the hands of God.

A Foundation of Faith and Friendship
The ceremony featured Scripture readings from both the Holy Bible and the Quran, prayers, and soul-stirring ministrations from the ACTS Band and the Seventh-day Adventist Church choir from Burma Camp. Imam Abdulia delivered a powerful exhortation, affirming the shared principles of faith.
Following an introduction by Pastor Kwakye Adeefe, President of the South West Ghana Union Conference, Professor Osei-Bonsu delivered his sermon, which centered on Jesus as the ultimate anchor, who keeps the soul from drifting when storms of life arrive.

[Photo: General Vice President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Professor Robert Osei-Bonsu]
“We are told to keep a vessel from drifting when the winds are fixed and the waters are troubled,” Professor Osei-Bonsu preached. “Life storms come, emotional battles, family struggles, moments of loneliness. Your uniform may hide your emotions, but it does not remove your humanity. We all need a faithful friend.”
Drawing from John 15:15 (“I have called you friends”), he emphasized that while rank, training, and strategy are essential, they cannot replace the security found in Christ. “Many draw near in good times but step back when adversity comes. Jesus never abandons, never betrays, never fails. He laid down His life for His friends—a sacrifice you, as service members, understand deeply.”

Character Before Credentials
In a direct charge to the officers, Professor Osei-Bonsu warned that skills without character are “scary” and power without integrity is “destructive.”
“Integrity comes from the word ‘integer’—a whole that cannot be divided,” he explained. “It is the resolve to do what is right even when no one is watching. A uniform commands respect, but character commands credibility. The future of Ghana depends not only on your operational strength but on your moral strength.”
He urged the inductees not to seek merely promotion, but to become better human beings, husbands, wives, and servants of God, concluding: “Governments change. Ranks change. Positions change. But Jesus remains faithful. I commit your career, your marriage, your decisions, your future, and your soul into His hands.”

A New Tradition of Divine Commitment
The Commander of ACTS, Colonel Ekow Mensah-Yawson, expressed profound gratitude to the Church and the guest speaker. Correcting a lighthearted admission about missing a former teacher in the audience, he reaffirmed the School’s new spiritual direction.
“We have begun a practice of commencing every course by committing ourselves into the hands of God,” Colonel Mensah-Yawson stated. “Because of the nature of our work, we often accept danger as ordinary. But the one-in-a-million chance can find us.
Who takes care of us when we no longer react? Only God. This is not a one-day event. Commit yourselves to the Almighty every day.”
The Commander acknowledged the seamless coordination of the event by the ACTS Chaplain, Colonel Gustafson Asamoah, and his assistant, Chaplain Michael Aniagyei.

A Gift to Guide the Journey
In a closing act of fellowship, the Seventh-day Adventist Church presented each inductee with two spiritual classics: The Great Controversy and Steps to Christ. Pastor Professor Osei Bonsu, Pastor Kwakye Adeefe, Shepherdess Bonsu, Colonel Mensah-Yawson, with Colonel Gustafson Asamoah and his assistant Chaplain Michael Aniagyei, distributed the books personally, describing them as essential tools to accompany the officers alongside their military manuals.

“The evil one does not rest, does not sleep, so neither should we,” the Commander reminded the gathering. “The Lord has given you two books: the works of Ellen G. White and the guidance of His Spirit. Use them well.”

The Induction Religious Parade concluded with a commitment from the Advance Drill & Duties Course 1-2026 to pursue not only tactical excellence but also spiritual grounding anchored firmly in the Faithful Friend, Jesus Christ.

Reporting from Adventist Media Centre, Samuel A Nyarko