HISTORY OF NUPS-G

The National Union of Presbyterian Students of Ghana (NUPS-G) is a Union of Presbyterian students in the secondary and tertiary Institutions. It is therefore in the Secondary Schools, Teacher Training Colleges, Nursing Training colleges and other training centers. It is also found in the Universities, Polytechnics and other Diploma-awarding institutions.

The Union began at the Akuafo hall chapel of the University of Ghana on 22nd November 1959 with 39 students. The inaugural ceremony was held at Legon Hall of the same University at 3:00pm on the 28th of February 1960. The chairman was Rev. W.S Robertson of the University of Ghana. Present were the moderators of the Presbyterian churches; PCG and EPCG. Also in attendance was Rev. A.L Kwansa, the then Synod Clerk of PCG.

The first branch President was Rev. E.S Mate-Kodjo (later Synod Clerk of the PCG 1985-1995). Among the founding fathers of the Legon Union were Messrs Patrick Asare, Puplampu, S. A Peprah, John Amponsah, O.K Caesar, C.R Garba and Kwame Poh. Others included P.V Akoto, D. N. A Nortey, Damalie, K.A Ofosuhene and others with the late Rev. Prof. Emeritus C.G Baete as their Patron.

The idea of NUPS-G spread to other institutions and in 1962, the first National Conference was held at the Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana. The second National Conference was held at Winneba Training College on 16th March 1963. Twenty six(26) delegates from the University of Ghana, Legon, thirty two(32) from the host school, two each from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Techiman Training College( now Abetifi training College Abetifi- Kwahu ) and Krobo Training College , Odumase Krobo. The conference was chaired by the then National President Mr. K.A Ofosuhene. The main issue for discussion was a draft prepared and presented by Mr.D.N.A Nortey; first National President (now retired Professional and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana).

Among the National leaders in its formative years were Mr.D.N.A Nortey now Professor.(1961/62), Mr.K.A Ofosuhene( 1962/63), S.A Ocansey (1963/64), Mr. A.A Beeko now very Reverend and former Moderator of PCG (1964/65).Mr. D.A Nartey now Rev. Dr. and former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, (1967/1968), Mr. E.Y Boakye(1969/71) and Mr. I. A Fokuo now Rev and former inter church and Ecumenical Relations Secretary of the PCG.

Since the 1960s, NUPS-G has been involved in training her members to be active in church services. In this vein, the Union is involved in many activities geared towards the attainment of this goal.

One main area has been the organization of leadership training programs. The first leadership training program was held at Trinity College on 26th January, 1985 for the four co-ordinating branches that existed then. Since then it has been held at various places including Winneba Advanced Teachers training college, Social Services centre, Ho, Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi Kwahu and Presbyterian Training College, Akropong Akuapem. It must be put on record that on some campuses NUPS-G is found, a partnership has been formed with the brethren from Ghana Methodist Students Union. Some schools refer to this partnership as PMSU and others like the University of Ghana refers to it as MPU, standing for Methodist Presbyterian Students Union.

One major activity NUPS-G has organized has been the Students-In-Church-Evangelism; now Presbyterian-Students-In Church-Evangelism (PSICE).This has afforded members of the Union the opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with many people in the country, especially those in the deprived areas. An assessment of the program has shown that it has been held in almost every part of the country. The first of its kind was held in 1986 in the Anum congregation. Other centers in the years past have been Asamankese (1987, 88, 89), Salaga (1989), Nsawam (1989), Bodada (1990), New Tafo (1990, 92), Kwahu Tafo ( 1990), Nzema Mission Field (1994). Many other places have experienced this blessing from NUPS-G in recent years. During such times on PSICE grounds, revivals, witnessing, crusades, healing, deliverance and counseling sessions have been the main features. Recently, such contemporary evangelism technique as “street freeze” and “Jesus shop” has been adopted.

The National Union of Presbyterian Students has also been involved in voluntary work camps where free manual services have been placed at the church’s disposal. Examples of these were at Kwahu Nkwatia 1985- building of a school, Kwahu Tease,1986-construction of a church building, Chiripatre, Kumasi, 1975-Digging foundation for the construction of a water tank(one day program at a National congress) and the last work camp in Abokobi 1999, construction of chalets (Joint Program with German Youth) The Union has also been involved in publication of articles in her mouth piece “THE NUPS-G OBSERVER, formerly “THE PRESBYTER”.