The 170th anniversary of the arrival of the late Rev. Andreas Riis in Akropong Akuapem (which later resulted in the establishment of the Christ Church and subsequently all other Presbyterian Churches in Ghana) was launched with pump and pageantry on the 27th of March, 2005.

Rev. Michael Ansger Addo lunching the Anneversisary

The launching ceremony was performed by the Rev. Michael Ansger Addo, a retired seasoned Minister of the Presbyterian Church. In his short message before the launching, the eminent retired minister thanked the Almighty God for making it possible for him to be part of yet another important celebration of the Christ Presbyterian Church in Akropong. When the Church celebrated her 150th anniversary in 1985 he happened to be the Akropong District Pastor as well as the Akuapem-Volta Presbytery Chairman (as it then was).

The Rev. M.A. Addo encouraged the church members to emulate the selfless devotion of the missionaries. In the name of the Truine God and the the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, he declared the 170th anniversary of the Christ Presbyterian Church duely launched.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete - Nyampong delivering the Sermon.

The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong, the Director of Ecumeenical and Social Relations at the Presbyterian Church Head Office. In his touching sermon, the Rev. Dr. Ayete-Nyampong traced the history of the Church from 1828 when the first batch of three missionaries arrived in the then Gold Coast. He meticulously drew wonderful lessons from the arrival of Riis in Akropong in 1835 and the subsequent recruitment of some black Christians from the West Indies to Akropong.

According to the widely read scholar, the only thing that might have caused these missionaries to leave their places of abode (which had better conditions than the then Gold Coast) to work here was probably, the ressurected Christ, who also offered Himself for humanity. They believed in the power of the resurrection and it compelled them to serve their fellow human beings. He therefore asked all Presbyterians especially, people of Akropong to use this occasion to evaluate our lives and also allow the resurrection power to touch us so to serve others.

The Hon. W.O. Boafo, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North Constituency and the Deputy Minister for Defence in his goodwill message suggested creation of an Educational Fund in the name of the late Andreas Riis to help brilliant but needy students to further their education. This, according to the Deputy Minister would be a monumental memorial for the late Andreas Riis.

The Guest of Honour for the occassion was the Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also congratulated the Church for the anniversary and numerous developmental projects she has undertaken over the years in the area of Education, Health, Agriculture and so on and so forth. He said, the Government is pleased with that and will continue to co-operate with churches as developmental partners.

The Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Okuapehene in his address paid glowing tributes to his predecessors who had the vision to welcome ans settle the late Andreas Riis in Akropong. Since then, there has been a cordial relationship between the Church and the State. He recounted how through education many illustrious sons and daughters of this nation, especially Akuapems in general but more especially, people of Akropong have been trained to fit in every field in this nation.

The launching programme brought together citizens of Akropong in Tema, Accra and Kumasi. Also in attendance were retired ministers and chiefs. An appeal for fund yielded 26 million Cedis.

As part of the celebrations of the week a special commemorative week in memory of the brethren from the West Indies and all other missionaries who served the church in Akropong shall be held from 4th - 7th August, 2005. In October, during the Odwira Festival there will be lectures in memory of local citizens who served the church in diverse capacities. The Grand Anniversary is from 12th-19th December 2005.