By Gloria Anderson
The Ghana Evangelical Missions Association (GEMA) has underscored the urgent need for strategic partnerships, decentralisation and innovation in advancing missionary work across Ghana and beyond at its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra.
The meeting, which brought together church leaders, mission agencies and stakeholders in the Christian community, focused on strengthening collaboration to enhance national transformation through evangelism and social impact initiatives.
In an interview with GBC, the President of GEMA, Rev. Dr Godwin Kofi Ahlijah, emphasised that partnerships remain critical to the sustainability and effectiveness of mission work.
“Even the most resourceful organisation cannot complete the mission alone. We must come together, share resources and avoid duplication of efforts. True partnership means everyone brings something to the table,” he said.
He noted that GEMA, in its current and upcoming tenure, is prioritising collaboration with churches, mission organisations and stakeholders across sectors, including the corporate space. According to him, such partnerships will ensure the efficient use of resources and the long-term sustainability of mission activities.
Rev. Dr Ahlijah also highlighted decentralisation as a key strategy for expanding the reach of the gospel, stressing the need to move beyond major urban centres such as Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi to underserved and remote communities.
“We must shift focus to areas that have not been reached. The gospel spread historically because people moved beyond their comfort zones. We must do the same within our own country,” he said.
The AGM further explored GEMA’s five-year strategic plan, which aims to provide a clear roadmap for mission activities. Key components include the establishment of a national missions hub, increased research and data documentation, and capacity-building initiatives to train and equip missionaries.
Speaking on the broader national agenda, the President of AfriGO, Rev. Ray Mensah, described the Vision 2040 initiative as a transformative framework to drive evangelisation across Ghana and contribute to global mission efforts.
“The gospel has been in Ghana for over 200 years, yet there are still communities unreached. Vision 2040 seeks to mobilise the church to complete this task and extend the impact globally,” he explained.
Rev. Mensah added that the initiative positions Ghana as a key player in global missions, particularly at a time when Africa has become a leading centre of Christianity.
He also highlighted the role of technology in modern evangelism, noting that digital platforms, social media and emerging tools such as artificial intelligence are being leveraged to mobilise, educate and engage audiences.
The Founding Father of GEMA, Rev. Dr Seth Anyomi, reflected on the association’s journey since its establishment in 1990. He noted that GEMA has significantly contributed to raising awareness among churches about the need to reach unreached populations both within and outside Ghana.
“In the early days, mission efforts were scattered and uncoordinated. GEMA brought structure and unity, enabling churches to recognise the unfinished task of evangelism,” he recounted.
Meanwhile, the Principal Officer of GEMA, Tony Lopez, highlighted the practical impact of the association on member organisations, citing collaboration, knowledge-sharing and mutual support as key benefits.
He noted that GEMA’s member organisations are engaged in diverse interventions, including healthcare delivery, water provision through boreholes, literacy programmes and language translation projects.
Participants at the AGM were encouraged to embrace collective responsibility in advancing mission work, with a strong call for churches, mission agencies and the private sector to align efforts towards national development.
GEMA reiterated its commitment to fostering unity, innovation and strategic action in fulfilling its mandate, expressing confidence that strengthened partnerships and a shared vision will drive sustainable impact across Ghana and beyond.
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