Former Synod Clerk of Presbyterian Church dies

Rev Dr Albert Lawrence Kwansa, a former Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (1955-1969), is reported dead.

He passed away at the Mampong Orthopedic Hospital on July 8, 2015. He was 101 years.

The burial is scheduled for Aburi, the capital of the Akuapem South District, on September 12, 2015.

This was contained in a press release signed and issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Ezekiel George Larbi.

Rev Kwansa was born at Nkwatia, Kwahu in the Eastern Region on December 1, 1913. He attended the Presbyterian Training College at Akropong Akuapem from 1931 to 1934 and became a teacher and catechist in 1935.

From 1943 to 1945 he was trained at the Trinity College, Kumasi, and was ordained into the Holy Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in 1945.

He was elected the fifth Synod Clerk from 1955 to March 1969, making him the longest-serving clerk of the church.

Rev Dr Kwansa served on management committees and boards of governors of various educational institutions of the church, including the Ramseyer Training College (Abetifi), the Presbyterian Hospital (Agogo) and the Aburi Girls’ Secondary School.

In 1997, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Ghana’s Independence, the government conferred on him the State Honour of the Grand Medal (Civil Division) in recognition of his long, dedicated and meritorious services and exceptional contribution to the church, education and the welfare of the physically challenged.

Rev Dr Kwansa was a founder member of the Bible Society of Ghana which was established in 1965. He became its first Chairman from 1965 to 1972 and from 1981 to 1987. He was also the first African Vice-Chairman of the United Bible Societies – Worldwide from 1974 to 1975.

He was a member of the committee appointed by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) to look into conditions in Ghana’s prisons and police cells in 1992.

He also served as a member of the then Akuapem South District Assembly from 1989 and was its Presiding Member from May 1994 to May 1996.

The late Rev Dr Kwansa was instrumental in acquiring land for the establishment of the Trinity Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian Secondary School (PRESEC), both at Legon in Accra.

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