By KINGSLEY LARBI( Rev. Prof.)
Education shapes the mind, but a spiritually rooted education transforms the soul, aligning purpose with a higher calling. For many Ghanaians, the journey to theological study abroad presents both a rare privilege and a calling of profound significance.
Such was the case for Ghanaian students who attended Pan Africa Christian College (PAAC), now Pan Africa Christian University, in Kenya during the 1980s. Rooted in faith and guided by a vision of societal transformation, PAAC opened its doors to African students from diverse backgrounds, setting the stage for experiences that resonate with themes of community, sacrifice, cultural integration, and spiritual growth.
This journey of faith and education is as relevant to Ghana today as it was then, especially as the country navigates complex socio-economic challenges and looks toward future leaders who embody both intellectual and spiritual integrity. This feature professes the wisdom in Chapter 19 of the Author’s book title Born to Win.
The Genesis of PAAC: A Mission to Educate Africa’s Leaders
Founded by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, PAAC was envisioned as a training ground for African leaders destined to serve their communities and ministries across the continent.
Strategically located 10.6 km from Nairobi, PAAC brought together students from denominations as varied as Pentecostal, Anglican, Baptist, Independent Charismatic, and African-initiated churches. Despite being established by Canadian Pentecostals, the institution’s spirit of inclusivity allowed students of diverse backgrounds to engage with its theological and liberal arts curriculum.
By 1985, PAAC had already become a dynamic multinational hub, drawing students primarily from East Africa, but also from West Africa and beyond. This strategic vision was supported with an annual budget significantly underwritten by Canadian congregations, ensuring that tuition was highly subsidized to make the education accessible to those called into ministry.
Harmonising Academic Life: Theological and Liberal Arts in Harmony
Ghanaian students who attended PAAC recall a balanced curriculum that blended theological rigor with liberal arts, reflecting a comprehensive approach to education. Courses covered a spectrum of disciplines, including Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, General Science, Management Studies, Counseling, Psychology, and even biblical languages such as Greek and Hebrew.
Intermediate Greek was mandatory, while Hebrew was optional, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to producing graduates well-versed in scripture and its original languages. This academic program culminated in a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology, an achievement that prepared students to engage intellectually and spiritually with the challenges of ministry.
In Ghana, such an education was rare. Statistics from the 1980s indicate that only 1 in 10,000 Ghanaians pursued higher education abroad due to the economic and political landscape of the time.
For those who could, international theological institutions like PAAC offered not only an academic qualification but also exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, a crucial asset in shaping modern leaders in Ghana’s complex religious landscape.
Economic Realities and the Sacrifice of Pursuing Ministry
Studying abroad, particularly in the 1980s, required immense personal and financial sacrifice. Tuition fees for international students at PAAC, though subsidized, could still range from $1,000 to $1,500 per year, a formidable amount considering Ghana’s minimum wage in the mid-1980s was around GH₵30 ($20). Many students relied on the goodwill of relatives, friends, or even their local congregations for sponsorship.
Upon arrival at PAAC on October 12, 1983, one Ghanaian student recounted the supportive environment that made the transition easier. A fellow Ghanaian, Joe Amponsah, had already established a community presence, introduced newcomers and assisting with initial acclimation.
For Ghanaian students, accustomed to specific cultural norms, the community at PAAC represented a unique blend of tradition and modernity, acceptance and challenge, faith and intellectual rigor.
Community and Cultural Integration: Lessons in Adaptation
Life at PAAC was a multicultural experience, replete with both challenges and amusements. One aspect of this was the cultural idiosyncrasies around food and language. While Ghanaian students typically adhered to strict customs around eating, such as avoiding the use of the left hand, East African customs were less rigid. These differences sometimes led to humorous misunderstandings.
For instance, the East African pronunciation of “campus” as “campas” was a source of gentle amusement for Ghanaian students until they themselves were chided for pronouncing “ask” as “axe,” bringing light-hearted moments that helped bridge cultural divides.
PAAC’s boarding structure fostered strong bonds among students. Dormitory life encouraged shared meals, communal prayer, and friendly sports competitions, especially table tennis, which became a favored pastime.
Friendships across cultural lines were the norm, and the enduring relationships forged there proved invaluable, with many alumni remaining connected years after graduation. Today, an estimated 15% of PAAC alumni are in leadership roles across Africa, a testament to the institution’s impact.
The Principal’s Wisdom: Sacrifice, Self-Reliance, and Humility
The College Principal, Paul Khols, was known for his humility and sense of humor. Far from the stereotype of an austere administrator, he was often seen carting food from the local market in his Volvo to supply the college cafeteria. His leadership style underscored the principle of sacrificial service.
During holidays, Khols allowed international students to stay on campus rent-free, understanding their financial limitations. On one occasion, he asked students to help paint the campus during the summer break, a task they performed gladly, hoping for payment.
Instead, Khols humorously presented them with a bill for the accommodation, gently reminding them of the give-and-take nature of life, a lesson in humility and self-reliance that many carried into their own lives and ministries.
Khols’ approach embodies values that resonate in Ghana’s religious and educational sectors today, where private Christian institutions often struggle to balance their missions with economic pressures. The lessons of self-reliance and humility he imparted remain relevant in a country where financial resources for theological education are limited, with just 3% of national education budgets allocated toward religious institutions.
The Spiritual Legacy: Theological Integrity in Practice
The spiritual formation at PAAC extended beyond academic achievement to character development. Revd. Garry Foreman, the Academic Dean, emphasized a theology of sacrifice and “redemptive love,” challenging the more materialistic interpretations of the gospel popularized by some Western evangelists.
Foreman’s resistance to such ideologies sparked theological debates that encouraged students to critically engage with their faith, a legacy that still influences graduates serving in Ghana today.
Ghanaian Hospitality and Diaspora Fellowship
For Ghanaian students, their PAAC journey was enriched by the support of the Ghanaian diaspora in Kenya. Figures like Major Opare Sarfo and his wife Felicia, Dr. Appianda Arthur, and Rev. Theophilus Boakye Dankwa and his wife Virginia welcomed students into their homes for meals and fellowship, reinforcing the cultural and familial bonds that many missed. This spirit of diaspora community echoes in Ghana today, where informal networks provide support to students and professionals studying abroad.
Looking Back: Reflections on Purpose and Service
Upon completing their studies, Ghanaian students faced the choice of returning home or pursuing further education. For one, the decision to stay was driven by a conviction that his educational journey was not yet complete.
Opportunities to study at institutions like Oral Roberts University, Simon Greenleaf School of Law, and the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) were appealing, offering scholarships and advanced theological training. This choice exemplifies the tension many students feel between the desire to serve their home country and the pull toward further academic growth abroad.
Today, Ghanaian alumni of PAAC contribute significantly to religious, social, and academic sectors within Ghana. Institutions such as Regent University College and the Calvary Baptist Church in Accra benefit from their leadership, illustrating the long-term impact of PAAC’s holistic education. This legacy continues to inspire as Ghana faces an urgent need for leaders who can integrate faith, resilience, and intellectual rigor to address social challenges.
Conclusion
The story of Ghanaian students at PAAC speaks to a broader narrative about education, faith, and leadership in Africa. As Ghana grapples with the challenges of economic development, cultural preservation, and social justice, the lessons from PAAC, of humility, self-reliance, and redemptive love remain ever relevant. The contributions of PAAC alumni remind us that education’s purpose extends beyond personal advancement to include the upliftment of communities, and, ultimately, the nation.
In a time when access to quality theological education remains financially prohibitive for many, Ghana’s policymakers and religious leaders might look to PAAC’s model of inclusive, mission-driven education.
In nurturing leaders who are grounded in faith and equipped for service, Ghana can build a future that honors both spiritual and intellectual growth, crafting a society where education becomes a true instrument of transformation.
