Expansion and Consolidation of the Educational Activities of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Mission at Asante Bekwai in Ghana from 1932-1955: Achievements and Challenges

Abstract

The article focuses on the activities of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church at Asante Bekwai, a popular traditional township in Ashanti Region of Ghana.  Historical documents such as archival data from Public Records and Archival Administration (PRAAD) Office in Kumasi, files at SDA Educational Unit, Kumasi, log books and board of governors’ meeting minutes of some SDA Schools in Ashanti constituted the major sources of information for the study. Secondary sources including books, scholarly writings and oral interviews with persons of considerable knowledge about the early activities of the Mission were also utilised to augment the discussions. The major findings of the study were that the SDA Church at Asante Bekwai utilized the favourable local conditions there to promote theological studies, teacher and secondary education; contingent on the philosophy of idealism, which largely stressed on moral development and character training.  However, financial difficulties, which impeded the provision of adequate infrastructure and other educational equipment,  were the major obstacles which confronted  the educational efforts of the Mission  during the period. It was therefore anticipated that the Church from 1955 onwards would take measures to surmount the challenges.

Key Words: Asante Bekwai, SDA Mission, Bekwai SDA Training College, Missionaries, Jesse Clifford.