The seminar which was under the auspices of the National Finance Committee, formed part of the “Financial empowerment” component of the Vision 2010 of the Church that is meant to provide an overall guiding framework for efficient and effective mobilization and management of financial resources in the Church.

            

 

In his welcome address, the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Kodwo Baiden Denson, informed the participants that the entire Christian community is watching the Apostolic Church-Ghana in high expectation, as a result of its historical background, to see what the Church has to showcase for its 75th anniversary celebration, adding that, “we cannot drive good governance and project corporate image without attaching prudent stewardship, accountability and hardwork”.

           

 

He said that the headquarters of the Church attach great importance to the work of the Finance Committees at the various levels of the Church. Hence there is the need to educate the Area officers who would be expected to also train all District Finance Officers to ensure that the rules and regulations governing financial management are adhered to. He added that it would do everything possible to support the finance committees fully in the discharge of their duties.

          

 

Apostle Denson, however warned all officers handling Church money to be circumspect about financial negligence which could have direct or indirect effect on the evangelism and other core business of the Church negatively. “You are therefore required to do everything possible in your capacity as stewards to help the Church to become well equipped financially for the advancement of its spiritual activities as well as developmental projects which the Church has embarked upon”. he advised.

         

 

Elder Simon Tawiah, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Church, expressed the gratitude of the committee to the National Council for the recognition of the important role being played by the Finance Committees of the Church and urged the participants not relent in their supportive attitude towards effective financial management controls but to be more committed and aggressive in checking all unhealthy financial practices that would contribute to excessive spending and administrative deficiency.

          

 

The Head of Finance of the Church, Mrs. Perpetual Tawiah who was one of the facilitators of the seminar, mentioned that preparation of annual budget and its careful implementation are very important exercise that goes a long way to improve the control of finances.

          

 

She therefore called on all finance officers of the Church not only to cultivate the habit of preparing annual budget, but also  consider the keeping of accurate and quality accounting records and the timely production of reliable financial information for proper management of the Church at all the various levels.

           

 

The 70 participants who took part in the two days programme represented Areas, Districts and some Local Finance Committees of the Church. Other facilitators included Elder George Adu-Gyamfi, the former Head of the Finance office of the Church and Elder Abraham Tawiah, a professional Accountant.

           

 

The topics that were treated included, “The purpose of financial controls”, “Types of financial controls”, “Internal audit”, “Revenue and disbursement procedures”, “Receipting procedure”, “Financial reporting” and “Budgeting”.