In the Country

• “Prostitution is one form of slavery.” — Zimbabwe
• “Women and girls who are studying have to give their bodies to lecturers in order to pass exams.” — Zimbabwe
  

  In the Church

• “In the church it is not acceptable to elect women as leaders/decision makers, even if it is legal to do so. Even though the majority in the church are women, man is always elected.” — Madagascar
  

  In Society

• “One [extended] family member who is financially well o¬€ would take one or two of his relative’s children with the pretense of giving them good life and sound education. These kids if not all are seen on the street selling, while others work on farms etc. They arise at 5 AM every morning and work as late as 12 midnight. These kids might not have been sold as slave, by their parents, but have become slaves working for their relatives: Aunt, Uncle, Cousin.” — Liberia
• “Women are said to be under their husband, they cannot pass any decision on their own.” — Zimbabwe
• “In a period of one month we’ve had 6 women who have been murdered mostly by their husbands because of their jealousy. It seems that women have to do everything the man says” — Mauritius
• “If the husband asks his wife for money she has to give it him even though there is no money at home. If not, domestic violence will happen.” —Madagascar
  

  In The Community

• “Most of the families do not own the land; They have to rent or share the products that they grow with the owner of the land. [So] they only have half or a quarter of the products which is not enough to feed their families.” — Madagascar
• “Nearly half of Liberia’s girls are married as adolescents. Girls who become child brides have a higher chance of dying during childbirth, typically cease their educational studies, and become victims of domestic violence. ” — Liberia
• “Because of economic hardship in Zimbabwe most women have gone to South Africa to work in farms and as domestic servant. They become victims of rape and also xenophobia.” — Zimbabwe

Dearly Beloved,

Grace, peace and love to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we live and move and have our being. I am truly humbled to be in touch with you through this correspondence on behalf of the Executive Committee of the African Presbyterian/ Reformed Women’s Gathering, also known as ‘Tumekutana’.Our 3rd Conference was held in Abokobi, Accra, Ghana, from September 19 to 25, 2015, with the theme ‘Freedom in Christ:From Slavery to Empowerment’ drawing from Luke 13:12.

 

We are so grateful to God that after having rescheduled the Conference from 2014 to 2015, as a result of the Ebola scourge that hit West Africa, it was very successful, to the glory of God. It was thrilling to see reformed women leaders from 22 countries in Africa, with partners from the USA, Canada and Scotland gathered together in one place. Despite our language differences, we discussed common themes related to present day slavery in its diverse aspects.

We started off Sunday morning worshipping with local Presbyterian churches.In the afternoon, dignitaries from the Government of Ghana and our host churches,the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana,attended a very colorful official opening ceremony. The Keynote Speaker wasa Kenyan, Rev. Dr. Mrs. Nyambura Njoroge, the Project Coordinator,of Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative and Advocacy, for the World Council of Churches based in Geneva. The Guest of Honor was Mrs. Lena Allai representing the Honorable Minister of State responsible for Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana.Fraternal greetings were received from the World Communion of Reformed Churches represented by the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, the immediate past General Secretary, and from the Africa Communion of Reformed Churches represented by its President, Mrs. Lydia Adadjawa.

 

Monday,we embarked by bus on an excursion to the Elmina Slave Castle in the Central Region of Ghana to familiarize ourselves with what happened during the slave trade era. That day ended back at the conference center in time of debriefing with a guided discussion and reflection.

 

Tuesday, participants were led through a biblical exposition of Luke 13:12. On subsequent days, participants keenly listened to presentations and engaged in group discussions on the socio-economic, political and legal dimensions of the theme and made suggestions toward overcoming the various contemporary forms of slavery in our societies. Additionally, participants spent time discussing and giving inputinto the draft constitution presented to the gathering by the Steering Team. (Please refer to the detailed program attached for the leaders of the various sessions.)Some evenings were dedicated to‘Tumekutana Time’ during which participants performed skits, songs and dances from the four regions of Africa, Canada andScotland.During the conference, prayers were said, regional meetings were held, nominations were made, elections were held, a testament was written,and of course, participants socialized and had the opportunity to buy and sell items from various parts of Africa. A visit to a local market in town was also organized.The conference ended with a communion service led by the host churches, gift sharing among participants and a cultural night with local dancers and traditional music.

As a result of a thorough electoral process conducted by the Nominations Committee, an Executive Committee was formally constituted and duly inducted into office by the Meridian Synod Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. The team includes:

President: Rev. Dr. Mrs. Bridget Ben-Naimah- Ghana
Vice President: Rev. Hon. Dr. Mrs. Bukelwa Hans – South Africa
Secretary: Mrs. Jessie Fubara-Manuel – Nigeria
Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Rebecca Bikoi Nyemb – Cameroun
Treasurer: Mrs. Veronica Muchiri – Kenya
Regional Coordinator- West Africa: Rev. Dr. Mrs. Mercy Akpama – Nigeria
Regional Coordinator- East Africa: Rev. Mrs. Rose Marie Ibyishaka – Rwanda
Regional Coordinator- Southern Africa:Mrs Doris Nomalinge Mdani – South Africa………………………………………………
Regional Coordinator- Central Africa:……………………………………………-Mrs. Priscilla Angvesoma Congo– Equatorial Guinea

This team will work with a host of advisors and consultants including Ms. Caryl Weinberg, Director of Missions of First PresbyterianChurch, Evanston, USA, Dr. Mrs. Amy McAuley of First Pres. Evanston, USA,working in Zambia, Rev. Janet Guyer and Rev. Christi Boyd, both PCUSA Mission Co-workers responsible for working as Facilitators for Women’s and Children’s Interests in sub-Saharan Africawith women and children in Southern and Central Africa respectively, and Madam Monique Misenga of Congo,former President of the Steering Team. 

 

I would like to thank the PCUSA, First Presbyterian Church, Evanston, members of the Steering Team, PCUSA Mission Co-workers, the Presbyterian Church of Canada, the Church of Scotland, individual donors, host churches (PCG and EPCG), resource persons, leaders of various sessions of the conference and committees, participants, our special guests, staff of the Abokobi Presbyterian Women’s Centre, our Protocol Officer, Ghanaian Immigration Officers, secretarial officers,drivers, nurse, our praying team and everyone who played a part in making Tumekutana 2015 a great success. Special gratitude goes to Madam Monique Misenga for her wisdom, patience and rich experience that were brought to bear on her leadership as she served as President of the Steering team.

Moving forward, we expect Regional Coordinators to be involved in networking and sharing stories and experiences with members in their regions as well as communicating with the executive committee the concerns and needs of members. We would like to use our new website to share news and reflections on issues of importance to women leaders in order to empowerone another to address situations of injustice such as slavery. Our next gathering will hopefully take place in South Africa in 2018. We want to start sharing information and experiences andto look into the possibility of holding regional discussions and activities. We willcontinue the process of Tumekutana’s organizational development, including a revision of the draft constitution by taking into account the feedback received prior to, during and following the gathering and start realizing our common mission and objectives. Meanwhile, we will be preparing for our next meetingput the constitution into practice as we prepare for our next meeting. To develop a strong financial base we would like to start the process of receiving financial contributions from membership dues. We appeal toTumekutana member churches to give full support to ensure that this invaluable project initiativethat your daughters, sisters and mothers have committed themselves to would take root and bear fruit that would last for generations to come.

In conclusion, we would like to request the continued support of all partners who have accompanied us to this point as we begin a new phase of Tumekutana.We hope that you will continue to travel with us on this journey for the growth of God’s kingdom and for God’s glory. May God richly bless you.

Thank you.
Yours in Christ,Rev. Dr. Mrs. Bridget Ben-Naimah
President of Tumekutana

Conference Testament | Conference Final Report