The Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Akropong has commissioned its first-ever museum, a landmark addition that chronicles nearly two centuries of missionary work, cultural transformation, and historical milestones.
The facility, launched by the Christ Church Congregation in the Akuapem North Municipality, is part of events commemorating the church’s 190th anniversary. It is the first museum of its kind in the church’s history and features a curated collection of 18th-century relics that trace the journey of Presbyterianism in Ghana.
Among the preserved items on display are communion plates, pianos, clerical robes, antique Bibles, and clocks used by early missionaries. The museum offers a rare, tangible link to the spiritual and social legacy of Christianity in the Akuapem hills and beyond.
“This museum documents the history of the Church in Akropong, the people who started it, the challenges they faced, and their dedication,” said Rev. Alex Owusu Addo, District Minister in charge of the Christ Church Congregation. “It serves as an encouragement for us to continue working for the Lord. This is a significant step in honouring and preserving the heritage of the Presbyterian Church.”
During a guided tour, Rev. Addo revealed a little-known fact: Presbyterian missionaries were among the earliest to introduce cocoa to Ghana, long before Tetteh Quarshie became widely credited for its commercial introduction.
“The missionaries had a cocoa nursery at the training college in Akropong. Tetteh Quarshie, who was trained by these missionaries, encountered cocoa here nearly 30 years before he brought it from Fernando Po,” he disclosed.
The museum is now open to the public and offers a compelling experience for anyone interested in Ghana’s religious and colonial-era history. Visitors can engage with the enduring contributions of early missionaries and explore how the church helped shape not just faith, but also education, agriculture, and community development in Ghana.
