The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called for a renewed commitment to faith-based and accountable leadership, stressing that the true test of authority lies not in the exercise of power but in the ability to restrain it.

Delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Greater Accra East Regional Annual Council Meeting of Assemblies of God Ghana at the Aggar Resort Centre in Shai Hills on Wednesday, April 8, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie underscored the need for leaders in both public and private spheres to uphold discipline, integrity and moral responsibility.

He said leadership must go beyond institutional obligations, insisting that those entrusted with authority must also be guided by higher spiritual and ethical standards in their decision-making.

The Chief Justice noted that leadership is most critically assessed during challenging moments, when competing interests require difficult choices, adding that restraint in the use of power remains a defining mark of strong character.

“Character is tested in the ability to restrain power, even when one has the right to fully exercise it,” he said, pointing to Ghana’s founding values as being deeply anchored in faith and a recognition of divine authority.

He further argued that while legal systems and intellectual capacity play important roles in governance, they cannot substitute for moral conviction and spiritual grounding.

Call for “audacious faith”

Also addressing the gathering, the General Superintendent of the church, Stephen Yenusom Wengam, urged Christians to adopt what he described as “audacious faith” in pursuing their aspirations.

He challenged what he termed a widespread misconception that ambition equates to pride, warning that such thinking often limits personal growth and societal progress.

“We must encourage our young people to dream big and pursue great things, trusting God beyond human limitations,” he said.

Rev. Dr Wengam explained that the Church’s 2026 theme, “The Faith of Our Fathers,” is intended to reconnect believers with the core values of early Christianity, including unwavering faith and adherence to sound biblical doctrine.

He also disclosed that preparations were far advanced for Ghana to host the World Congress of the global Assemblies of God Fellowship in October 2026—the first time the event will be staged on African soil. The gathering, he said, is expected to attract thousands of participants while contributing to economic activity and spiritual renewal.

Accountability at the core

The Greater Accra East Regional Superintendent, Andrews N. Awintia, described the council meeting as a critical platform for accountability, where church leaders report on their stewardship to both the congregation and God.

Presenting his four-year report, Rev. Awintia highlighted key achievements, including the construction of temple projects, the disbursement of more than GH?3 million in support of deprived and border churches, and welfare interventions for retired ministers.

He added that the region had facilitated the provision of motorbikes to pastors working in remote communities to enhance evangelism efforts, as well as the drilling of boreholes to improve access to potable water in underserved areas.

The annual council meeting, one of the most significant events on the church’s calendar, brought together clergy and leaders to deliberate on governance, spiritual direction and the future growth of the church.