... First African lady Bishop in Europe

BISHOP DIANA ADJARTEY, a Ghanaian residing in the Italian city Brescia, has been honoured as the first African ordained lady Bishop in Europe.

Her award, named ‘Obama Shield’ is in recognition of her contribution to society and what she has been doing to help the work for God. Presentation of the award at Brescia was made by Rev. Bishop Frimpong Manson, the Founder of Reconciliation International – a UK based Evangelical Ministry with an inclusive Charity that seeks to affect communities individuals, families, tolerant and holistic Ministry of compassion.

The ceremony took place at Rete Brescia TV studio before an audience including Ghanaians and was telecast on the stations network. Bishop Diana with her husband, Rev. Dr. Francis Adjartey are co-founders of Kingdom of God Mission International which she has also associated, the Great Partners Network (G.P.N), involve in Ministries world-wide. It hosts and brings together through Conferences, Pastors, Churches, Evangelical Groups and Government Ministers around the world. Her activity has seen active participation from over 11 countries including Italy, Ghana, England, United States, Nigeria, Kenya, France and the Netherlands. She said about the honour bestowed on her by Reconciliation International Ministry: “It was a great surprise when they told me about the award but now I see it’s a great encouragement for all who are working for God in their community.”

Bishop Diana, blessed with two children, Ephraim and Christiana (both Ministers of God) speaks 5 languages – ‘Ga’, ‘Akan’ and ‘Ewe’ (all spoken in Ghana), English and French. Her work and certification which began in 1977 has taken her through as a Bible translator and interpreter, appointed Pastors to various churches, set up development programs on evangelization aimed to expand churches and co-ordination of programs suitable for raising funds for investment. Kingdom of God Mission International and Great Partners Network has achieved prestige among them taking some women off the streets in prostitution to be home makers and men who lost their values through drugs are now gentlemen of great responsibility. GPN has a network with so many Pastors around the world under training and ordination that makes a leader.

In an interview after the presentation of the award she said:” The Business Wing of G.P.N is developing more self employment careers and the Youth Department called JC Festivals has done tremendously well with good jobs for teenagers by keeping their focus on their lives as future leaders who must prepare.” Asked what advice she will give to young Pastors, especially women, she replied: “Young Pastors should remember God rewards a diligent worker and everybody is watching to applaud you after a long time. Women leaders are needed, however, they should not lead in their homes to avoid an eclipse. God has made the man to be the head of the family while the woman assists as help mate but outside the home they should develop their God-given talents of leadership when they discover they have it. ”Her strong leadership qualities and selfless devotion to duties getting involve towards the welfare of people has led to her name being given to a ward at a hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. She spoke about that hospital: “The hospital name is ‘Nana and Ama Hospital’ founded by one Nana Kusi Appiah. The ward I care for and has my name is a ‘diabetic unit’ which at the moment need dialysis machine that will co-ordinate blood and kidney. Failing kidney patients need to go on this machine twice or thrice a week, without it these patients will not survive and support is needed as well as voluntary work.”

Bishop Diana is expected to pay a courtesy call on Ghana’s President, John Atta Mills, in February 2010 and she is looking forward to that visit. “Great Expectation!,” she pointed out, “Encouragement to all Ghanaians abroad to work harder for the father of the land they come from to recognise their efforts. Ghana is a great nation with great people who often pioneer great things around the world,” she added.

Her two best sellers are ‘DEALING WITH THE POWERS OF DARKNESS’ and ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE CRYING STONES’.

Also at the same event, hosted by Dayana Akosua Adu, was Virgilio Baresi (President of Rete Brescia TV) who was honoured in recognition of his immense contributions towards the welfare of immigrants in Italy. Rete Brescia TV network features news, events and programs on the potentialities of immigrants in the society.

Speaking about the pur pose of Reconciliation International Ministry honouring deserving recipients, on the yearly event, Rev. Bishop Frimpong Manson said this year’s ceremony is building upon the success of previous years and includes some people of high profile whose work can be taken for granted and go unrecognised. “The unique aspect of this year’s event is to celebrate the epoch making election of Barack Obama as the First African-American President of the United States and the socio-political consciousness it has awakened in the greater mass of the marginalized who hitherto needed proof that they could succeed against the odds,” he explained. He mentioned, Recon. International adopted ‘THE OBAMA SHIELD’ this year to compliment President Obama for his initiative towards peace. “We are always looking to recognise our new champions of Truth, Human Rights and Social Justice as well as those who contribute to the Health, Welfare and Education of all our citizens and will continue to identify their work as they come to our attention,” he pointed out and added: “From character to fame is the longest but the surest route to success. There is a great sense of contribution to society if we exercise our capabilities for unconditional love to the maximum. The biggest challenge for us all is to constantly generate the sensation of love”.

- Reggie Tagoe in Brescia, Italy.