This year’s observation focuses on arthritis, with an in-depth look at some forms of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. The day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. It is an opportunity to recognize the work physiotherapists do for their patients and community. To appreciate the work of physiotherapists, 51���� (PU) threw its weight behind the Ghana Physiotherapy Association as they celebrated the week. PU partnered with the Ga West Municipal Hospital physiotherapists to conduct the week’s activities.

Monday, 4^th September, was the launch of the week and its activities at the Ga West Municipal Hospital. Tuesday, 5^th September, was an exposition of the work of physiotherapists in the management of arthritis at Ga West Municipal Hospital.

On Wednesday, 6^th September, the team made its stop on the campus of PU to deliver a lecture to faculty and students on “Exercise as Medicine: Tailored strategies for Osteoarthritis Patients” presented by Mr. Seidu Baluri Abdul Rahman. The lecture highlights were when Mr. Rahman gave faculty members and students personalized tactics to prevent the development of arthritis as they go about their duties and responsibilities.

Thursday, 7^th September, was a medical outreach program at the Amasaman market, where market sellers and workers together with buyers were educated on arthritis after which a health screening was conducted. Free consultation with physiotherapy prescriptions where necessary was done for residents in the municipality on Friday, 8^th September.

In all, the week was successful and newer and strengthened collaborations were established between the two institutions. Both institutions further pledged to the advancement of scholarship in their abled capacities towards the good of public health.

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The conference dubbed Capacity Building Workshop & Round Table Discussions for Registrar’s, ICT, Finance & Quality Assurance Personnel is organized by the Global Quality Assurance Association. It is meant to bring together highly practical-oriented university administrators to share knowledge, information, and skills from their respective institutions and countries.

It also provides opportunities for effective and beneficial interaction, networking, and collaboration and brings together University administrators from across the globe to discuss quality assurance, institutional performance review, and assessments.

Prior to the start of the conference, the PU delegation visited Zanzibar University where they held bilateral talks with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Dr. Mamudu Daffay about collaborations between the two universities.
The areas discussed included exchange programmes for faculty members and students, research and grant applications, and joint programmes in areas that are strategic for the development of Africa.

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In his opening address, the Vice-Chancellor of 51����, Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, congratulated the students on successfully completing their ministerial formation and training, which is required for full-time ministry in the Church. He challenged them to make their spiritual training received at PSTM meaningful to the communities they will serve.

Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua also urged the new ministers to rely heavily on the Holy Spirit, who he said “manifests in multiple ways.” He used the analogy of electrical power, stating that just as electricity produces different effects in different devices, the Holy Spirit manifests different gifts and abilities in each individual. “Just as electrical power produces light in some gadgets and sounds in others, heat in iron and coolness in refrigerators, the Holy Spirit is able to manifest gifts and abilities differently in each of us. Therefore, the impact on one’s life depends on the kind of demand we individually place on Him,” said Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua.

During the sermon, Aps. Dr Benjamin Ali, the Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Downtown Ofaakor, urged the ministers to support one another for maximum impact. Drawing references from the Bible, specifically Joshua 1:1 and Psalm 37:5, Dr Ali emphasized that God has confidence in them and His spirit will abide with them throughout their ministry. He urged them to be courageous and obedient to the instructions of their ministry.

In the Commissioning address, Aps. Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and Chancellor of 51����, reminded the ministers that they have become “prisoners of, and for the Lord.” He emphasized that as prisoners, they do not have the liberty to choose or do whatever they want. The Chairman added that they cannot be prisoners of Christ and have any aims or purposes other than that of Christ. He encouraged them not to see their call into full-time ministry as a career but as a further call to become authentic Christians. Aps. Nyamekye then commissioned the new ministers, leading the charge and prayer for them.

The students, led by P/Ovr. Emmanuel Ebenezer Owusu expressed their gratitude to 51���� for the training environment and formation they received. They declared themselves as ministers ready for maximum impact in their nations. Additionally, the Students’ Head generously handed over the keys of three brand-new saloon cars, two motorbikes, and a refurbished 18-seater van to the University’s management. According to Rev. EE. Owusu, the students purchased the vehicles through their contributions to start a licensed driving centre in the PSTM. This initiative is inspired by the University’s A+ agenda of making them problem solvers. Rev. Owusu added that the driving centre aims to help future ministerial students learn or polish their driving skills and acquire licenses, which are essential for effective ministry. “In addition, the centre is envisioned to be a research hub for transport safety and other related areas,” Rev. Owusu added.

The Pentecost School of Theology and Mission is the faculty of 51���� that focuses on research and training in theological, missionary, and Pentecostal studies. The PSTM is also mandated to train individuals who are called into full-time ministry in The Church of Pentecost. This year’s batch of commissioned ministerial students comprised individuals from nine nations, including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, India, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.

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The president made his donation when he attended the church service at The Church of Pentecost in the Assin Fosu Area. He said his offering for PU was on behalf of his party and himself. His comments in Twi translated were, “Pastors, ministers of God present, as I came here, I saw that you have raised funds to support 51����, and I also have to do something. On my part, I would give 100,000 Ghana cedis. This is on behalf of my party, but on my own behalf, I would give 50,000 Ghana cedis.”

The President also commended The Church of Pentecost for establishing educational institutions and supporting education in Ghana and many developmental projects.

The 51���� Offering Day was instituted about two decades ago. This is a day set aside to raise funds in all the assemblies of The Church of Pentecost to support the University. This year’s edition fell on Sunday, 25th June 2023. It was observed in all assemblies of the Church.”

• Brief Background:

Dr Kofi Busia is a medical herbalist, medical scientist and chartered chemist, passionate about the primary health care approach as the most efficient, fair, and cost-effective way to organize health systems. He has rare expertise in the healing arts, plant medicine/natural product research which he increasingly combines with the teaching and practice of herbal medicine. He also has a wealth of experience and expertise in university education, health research, curriculum and health policy development, management and leadership, and a good knowledge of the health systems of the ECOWAS countries.

Kofi holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Biological Organic (Natural Product) Chemistry from Birkbeck, University of London. He also studied Basic Medical Science at Queen Mary, University of London, and subsequently earned a BSc (Hons) degree in Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from Middlesex University, UK, where he served as a much-valued Senior Lecturer in Phytochemistry, Phytopharmacology, Herbal pharmacy and Transferrable skills for over 10 years. Between 2005 and 2007, he taught at the Chemistry Department of the University of Ghana before joining the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised health institution of ECOWAS, in 2007, initially as the Programme Officer for Traditional Medicine, and subsequently as the Director of the Department of Healthcare Services, and Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Health Information.

In addition to these senior management roles, Kofi served as the institution’s Project Manager for the USAID-funded Leadership Capacity Strengthening (CAPS) project and also coordinated the Royal Netherlands-funded Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Young People project, as well as the Johns Hopkins University-led Countdown to 2030 Project. He is a quiet, pragmatic achiever, with excellent interpersonal skills and a remarkable ability to work under pressure. He is disciplined, fair but firm, a team player, and an attentive listener.

He has extensive overseas links in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, traditional/complementary/and alternative medicine, health research and herbal/pharmaceutical manufacturing. In addition, he has vast experience in dealing with institutions such as USAID, WHO, NEPAD, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Medical Research Council-UK, Kew Gardens-UK and the Science and Engineering Research Council, UK. In 2013, he was decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso with the title: “Chevallier de l’Ordre National du Burkina Faso” (Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso) for his contribution to the development of Traditional Medicine in the ECOWAS region. Kofi has strong communication, presentation and facilitating skills, which he utilizes effectively during meetings, training workshops and local and international conferences. In spite of his numerous responsibilities, he has written widely on topical issues in public health and herbal medicine and contributed several book chapters, notably African Traditional Medicine: The Way Forward, in African Indigenous Knowledge and Human Health, edited by Charles Wambebe. He has also authored four books: Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine (Volumes 1 and 2); Advanced Level and Senior High School Physical and Inorganic Chemistry; and Organic Chemistry for High Schools.

• My Backgrounds integration into my new role:

Having trained as a chemist, medical scientist, herbal medicine practitioner, university educator, and researcher, and with the vast experience I have acquired in health systems’ development and international diplomacy, make me uniquely suited for this role.

• What prompted my coming to PU:

I had heard about 51���� through the Faculty of Theology and Mission and that the former Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Appiah Denkyira, had been involved in establishing the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences. But I had not considered working here until a friend introduced me to the former Rector Prof Peter Kyei, who, on knowing my background mooted the idea of introducing me to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua so that I could be engaged by the university to pioneer an innovative herbal medicine programme here. Subsequently, Prof Emmanuel Osei Akyeampong took it up to talk directly to the Vice Chancellor, and as they say, the rest is history! Having said that I have been acquainted with the Church of Pentecost going back several years, as my late elder sister Rose Nyarkoh and her husband, Rev Dr Attah-Nyarkoh are staunch members of the church and had actually served as Deaconess and Area Head, respectively of the Tetelestai Assembly in Suame-Kumasi.

• What I have observed about the University so far:

The warmth and friendliness of all the people I have encountered so far, from the Vice Chancellor, through the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, the HR, QA and Finance teams, to all the support staff including the cleaners and security guards. There is a real sense of community and a pervasive culture of respect and an ambition to aspire to greatness and excellence here. The dynamism and vision of the Vice Chancellor and his team, are very refreshing and inspiring.

• My intended contributions to the growth of the University and my office

Scholarship; excellence in teaching and learning; international credibility; scientific writing and communication; promoting a culture of research and publications in peer-reviewed journals; seminars and workshops; a team working spirit to achieve goals.

• Publications or relevant articles
• Books and Chapters

1. Adigwe OP, Busia K (2023). A Contextual Exploration of Phytomedicines Development in Africa. Xlibris Publishers, UK
2. Busia K (2019). Advanced Level and Senior High School Organic Chemistry. In press. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
3. Busia K (2018), in Charles Wambebe (2018). African Indigenous Medical Knowledge and Human Health. London: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis. Chapter 9: African Traditional Medicine: The Way Forward.
4. Busia K (2018). Advanced Level and Senior High School Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. In press. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
5. Busia K (2016). Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine: History, Phytopharmacology, Phytotherapeutics, Volume 1. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
6. Busia K (2016). Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine: Major Plant Families, Analytical Methods, Materia Medica, Vol 2. Xlibris Publishers, UK.
7. Busia K (2009). Monographs on Medicinal Plants. Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD), Ministry of Health, Ghana.
8. Busia K (2007), Editor. Ghana Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The Advent Press: Accra, Ghana
9. Busia K and Motohashi N (2006). Chapter Contribution. The use of lutein and zeaxanthins in the treatment of ageing and age-related diseases, Research Signpost, 165-186

��Reviews

1. Busia, K. (2016) Perspectives of a Phytotherapist on Ethnopharmacology. Ethnopharmacology. Michael Heinrich and Anna K Jager, eds. John Wiley and Sons, 2015. 462 pp.
2. Busia, K. (2000) Traditional Chinese Medicines: Molecular structures, natural sources, and applications. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; compiled by X Yan, J Zhou and G Xie; 1024 pages. Ashgate Publishers: USA- the world’s first authoritative guide to the chemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicines.
3. Busia, K. (2004) Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. The Pharmaceutical Journal, 272 (7296): 517. By M. Heinrich, J. Barnes, S. Gibbons and E.M. Williamson; 309 pages. Churchill Livingstone Publishers.

Journal Articles

1. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1990) Total synthesis of chiro-inositol 2,3,5-trisphosphate: a myoinositol��1,4,5-trisphosphate analogue from benzene via photo-oxidation, Tetrahedron Letters, 31, 1617.
2. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1990) Total synthesis of Myo-inositol polyphosphates from benzene via conduritol B derivatives, Tetrahedron Letters, 31, 3449.
3. Carless, H.A.J. and Busia, K. (1992) Synthesis of racemic 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-chiro-inositol 2,3,5-trisphosphate, Carbohydrate Research (Special edition), 234, 207-215.
4. Carless, H.A.J., Busia, K., Y. Dove and Malik, S. (1993). Syntheses of Conduritol D derivatives from Aromatic Compounds. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans I, 21; 2505.
5. Shan, Y. and Busia, K. (2001) Medical Provision for the 21^st Century, The J. of Alt and Comp Med., 8, 193-196.
6. Busia, K. and Pyne, H. (2002) Overview of the Orthodox and Phytopharmacological Management of Anxiety, J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issues, 3: 15-25
7. Busia K and Ronaldson M., (2003) Overview of the Therapeutic Potential of the Amazonian potion, Ayahuasca. J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issues, 4: 23-30
8. Busia K. and Murphy R. (2005). A Historical Account of Epilepsy: Perceptions and Treatment. J. of Health, Social and Environ Issues, 6(1): 35-44.
9. Abel, C. and Busia, K. (2004). An Exploratory Ethnobotanical Study into the Practice of Herbal Medicine by the Akan People of Ghana. Alt Med Review, 10(2), 112-122.
10. Pendry, B, Busia, K and Bell, CM (2005). Phytochemical Evaluation of Selected Antioxidant-containing Medicinal Plants for use in the Preparation of a Herbal Formula- a Preliminary Study. Chem and Biodiversity, 2; 917-922.
11. Busia K and Topps, G. (2004) The Concept of Synergy: time for a new paradigm. Aust J. of Med Herb, 17(2); 45-54.
12. Busia, K (2005). Medical Provision in Africa-Past and Present. Phytotherapy Res., 19, 919-923.
13. Busia, K and Heckels, F. (2006). Jimson Weed: History, Perceptions, Traditional Uses and Therapeutic Benefits of the Datura Species. Herbalgram, 69, 4-50.
14. Busia, K. (2005) Monograph of Indigofera arrecta. Aust J Herb Med, 17(4); 125-129
15. Busia, K. (2005) Monograph of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. ex Benth. J. of Health, Soc and Environ Issue, 6(2): 19-23
16. Pendry, B, Busia, K and Bell, CM (2006). Phytochemical Analysis of the Antioxidant Properties of Silybum marianum L. J. Oriental and Experimental Med., 6(3); 167-173.
17. Busia, K. (2006) Lessons to be learnt from the National Health Insurance Schemes adopted by developing nations-a Medical Herbalist’s Perspectives. Aus J Med Herb 18(2): 54-60
18. Busia, K (2006). Monograph of Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Aust J. of Med Herb
19. Busia K and Kasilo, OMJ (2010). An overview of traditional medicine in ECOWAS Member States. The African Health Moniror-Special Issue, 16-24.
20. Busia K., Kasilo, OMJ and Mhame PP (2010). Clinical practices of African Traditional Medicine. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 32-39
21. Busia K and Kasilo OMJ (2010). Collaboration between traditional health practitioners and conventional health practitioners. Some country experiences. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 40-46
22. Kasilo OMJ, Mawuli Kofi-Tsekpo and Busia K (2010). Towards sustainable local production of traditional medicines in the African Region. The African Health Monitor-Special issue, 80-88
23. Aurel, CA, Busia, K, Ekanmian V and Bakiono, F (2011). The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(1): 234-243
24. Bamba S., Kpoda H., Chemla C., Da O., Sawadogo M., Busia K., Guiguemdé T.R., (2012). Contribution à l’analyse ethnobotanique des plantes utilisées dans le traitement du paludisme : À propos de la région des Hauts Bassins et de ses localités riveraines au Burkina Faso. La Phytothérapie Européenne Janvier-Février, 66:19-25
25. Olufunsho A, Coulidiaty AGV, Oluyemi, AG, Sunday A, Omoseyindemi B, Busia K (2018). Toxicological evaluation of Picralima nitida in rodents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 236: 205–219
26. Busia K., Kasilo OMJ (2019). Contribution of traditional medicine to curbing of antimicrobial resistance. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, May 20 (accepted)
27. Namoudou K., Lokossou V., Berthe A, Sombie I., Johnson E., Busia K (2017). The West African experience in establishing steering committees for better collaboration between researchers and decision-makers to increase the use of health research findings. Health Research Policy and Systems 2017, 15(Suppl 1):50 DOI 10.1186/s12961-017-0216-6
28. Safia SJ , Gatica-Domínguez G, Crochemore Mohnsam da Silva I, Maïga A, Walton S, Hazel E, Baille B, Bose S, Bosu WK, Busia K, Ca T, Coulibaly-Zerbo F, Mbacké Faye C, Kumapley R, Mehra V, Somda SMA, Verstraeten R, Amouzou A (2020). Trends and inequalities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000: a cross-sectional series study. BMJ Global Health 2020; 0:e002948. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002948
29. Houéto DS, Kéita M, Sheriff M, Busia K (2019). Behaviour change programs in Africa: reasons for a perpetual recommencement. MOJ Public Health, Volume 8 Issue 2 – 2019
30. Mongbo Y, Sombié I, Dao B, Johnson EAK, Ouédraogo L, Tall F, Asmani C, Busia K, Ogbureke N, Ndour M, Sinkondo IY (2021). Maintaining continuity of essential reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Francophone West Africa DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2021/v25i2.7

• Buzzwords about me and the University

Courtesy pays much but costs nothing; health is wealth; service to God and humanity; knowledge is power; hard work pays; great is thy faithfulness; now praise we great and famous men; Patron!

• ��Interests outside role but helpful to the University community

1. Reviewing scientific publications- Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Herbal Medicine
2. Curricular development
3. Scientific writing and communication
4. Mentoring
5. Leadership and management

I am proud to be part of the PU family. May God’s faithfulness unto all of us endure till the end of time.

Accepting such a challenge, he said, “is a sacrifice but cannot be compared with the value of grace and mercy shown to an individual who has been called by God for the expansion of His kingdom.”

The main aim of the retreat was to create an enabling environment for faculty members to write. This followed the recognition that, faculty members needed to write but their responsibilities and workload resulted in very little research and publications.

The strategy was therefore to isolate and free members from their usual workload and camp them for 3 days to write. Subsequently, twenty-two participants drawn from all faculties, schools etc., approved by Deans were privileged to be part of the retreat. Selected participants were those who needed to work on any of the following: grant proposal writing, research proposal, research concept note, conference paper, article for publication, research report, thesis writing etc. Some of the topics worked on in these areas included:

1. Digital technology adoption and communication in health care delivery; Are patients satisfied?
2. Suicide and attempted suicides in Ghana
3. Forecasting stock exchange market volatility using ANN-GJR and ANN-GARCH.
4. The emergence of the ride-sharing economy and its effect on the traditional taxi system: The Ghanaian perspective
5. Relationship between saving culture and attitude on generational poverty in Ghana as mediated by financial literacy.

The programme of activities at the retreat included at least 8 hours of writing per day, joint morning devotions and end-of-day feedback evaluations. At the end of the retreat, participants were made to complete an evaluation form that will be used to assess the impact of the retreat and inform improvement in subsequent retreats.

Some of the active benefits of the retreat were the establishment of a community of writing practice, the creation of healthy social connections and research groupings among participants. Participants left the retreat energized, and encouraged, with a renewed determination to sustain the pace to write. To facilitate this culture, PGSRD is to devise a follow-up tracking system that will push participants to continue working till the final output and individual objectives are achieved. As part of this, a post-retreat seminar will be organized in the shortest possible time during which each participant will do a summary presentation of the work done at the retreat.

Ahead of the processing of evaluation forms, participants were asked to describe their experience at the retreat with just one word. One theme emerged, “The retreat was overwhelmingly useful!”.

Enjoy some scenes from the retreat.

Thank you.

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Delivering the State of the Church Address at the opening session of the 46^th General Council Meetings (46th GCM) of the Church currently underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoah Fetteh near Kasoa, the Chairman indicated that the University A+ agenda was yielding results looking at the successes and nature of awards received by the University.

The State of the Church Address provides comprehensive information on various activities of the church including evangelism, church growth, and economic and social interventions for the year 2022.

Apostle Nyamekye reiterated the objective behind the University A+ agenda as “51���� seeking to train graduates who are morally sound, intellectually outstanding and able to solve problems”.

The Chairman mentioned some of the prestigious awards received by the University in the year under review (2022) as the Overall Best Private University 2022, the West Africa International Award of Merit, 2022 and the Best University of Religious Values, 2022, by the National Clergy Association of Ghana.

“These awards showed the goodness of God towards 51����, and the dedication of its faculty, staff and students.

51���� is one of the higher academic institutions of The Church of Pentecost equipped to train the young generation to be morally upright intellectuals who will serve God and their nations with distinction.