BY GLORIA ANDERSON
The Ghana Evangelical Missions Association (GEMA) has launched a visionary 5-Year Strategic Plan aimed at empowering the Ghanaian Church to lead global missions from 2025 to 2030. The comprehensive roadmap includes key initiatives such as the GEMAFEST Perspectives Course Vision 2040, training and capacity building, financial sustainability, and infrastructure development, among others. These efforts are poised to shape the future of missionary work in Ghana and beyond.
The plan was unveiled at GEMA’s 34th Annual General Meeting held in Accra, which brought together distinguished leaders from Ghana and abroad to share progress and strategize future projects.
President of GEMA, Rev. Dr. Godwin Kofi Ahilijah, emphasised that the strategic plan prioritises socio-economic development and the nurturing of missionary leaders. He said it aligns with GEMA’s mission to promote cooperation, integrity, and accountability among mission-related organisations in the country.
“Once a year, we set time aside to render our accounts and stewardship to our members and to take bold steps in planning for the future of missionary work,” he stated.
Rev. Dr. Ahilijah also highlighted GEMA’s commitment to fostering partnerships and collaborations among member bodies to improve physical infrastructure in Ghana. He noted that the strategic plan is anchored on unity, cooperation, and integrity, aiming to enhance mission work, increase visibility, and strengthen the organisation’s capacity.
Under the theme *“Building Missionary Bridges,”* the 34th AGM underscored the importance of collaboration among churches, member bodies, and mission agencies. According to Rev. Ahilijah, this synergy seeks to drive industrial transformation and harness the potential of AI technology to improve missionary outreach.
He further mentioned GEMA’s efforts in providing essential services to rural communities, including Bible translation into local languages, the provision of clean water through boreholes, and the establishment of schools. These contributions, he said, have significantly advanced educational development across Ghana.
“At the heart of GEMA’s strategic plan is the vision to position the Ghanaian Church as a catalyst for global missions,” he concluded.
Adding to the discourse, Rev. Enoch Nii Thompson reiterated that the theme *“Building Missionary Bridges”* is aimed at identifying and addressing gaps within and outside missionary organisations. These gaps, he noted, include financial, educational, and healthcare disparities.
“Missionaries possess expertise in education, medicine, and leadership, which can be harnessed to build strong foundations for missionary institutions,” Rev. Thompson said.
He also stressed the importance of cultural sensitivity, pointing out the need for missionary bodies to adopt tailored and innovative approaches when engaging with diverse communities across the country.
“We must reach out with strategic approaches. I believe the Gospel brings people together, and missionary leaders contribute immensely to the socio-economic, mental, and spiritual growth of the nation,” he added.
Participants at the AGM shared positive impressions of the event, with one participant stating, “The programme has been very insightful. Collaboration among Christians is imperative to ensure the Gospel reaches everyone.”
As GEMA continues to implement its strategic objectives, its influence is expected to be felt across various sectors of society, fostering greater collaboration, increasing its visibility, and strengthening its capacity to drive meaningful change in Ghanaian communities.
