FRANKADUA E.P.

CHURCH 1ST CENTINARY ADDRESS

kafukafu woana Mawu le dzifo, Nutifafa ava amewo dzi le Jerusalem Voloyeye du sia me. Anyigba dzi Mawu w amegbetwodo eye wots efe asinu dwwo wo le anyigbadzi, le yame kple tsi kple two me la de asi na amegbet. Amegbetwoe tsoa du. Azadudu kple bubuawo, ha dona tso na hawo me. Godogodo le azadudu wo dzi la wo gbl nya soe ade tso aza la Duti. Mi doto miase nya siawo da: I was a very small boy brought to Frankadua/Morgadzi/Yoloyeye the name I did not know for Frankadua or Morgadzi until recently. The following would be the size of Frankadua at the time. Starting from Zongo/Kaasum (butchers) to the east were houses of Agbokpanya, Ablekui, Amenorhu, Alorse Dogbe, Adamega Ndorkutsu, Kwawu Kumordzi, Amegbetor, Gozo surrounded by Kata, Dagavia, Drogbor, Kwadzo Pkla then Davor Amevordzie, Egbedzi, Kwadzo Kpe to the north Akladzi Tovorfe, Gasika Dagadu, Besa Togo, Davordzi Torkornu. Alifo, F.K. Fiadzigbes villa, Amekuedi Torku, to the west the E.P. Church/School, Kufoalor. Kwasi Atukpa to the south Samevi, Walker, Ayisa, Amevlovi Gadri and back to Zongo. At the centre of above enclave lived Torgbe Kwame Kpogo Aklorbortu immediately surrounded by his elder and advisers like Nidifor, Adewualor, Abliza, Dzotorgbe, Tulasi Kufoalor, Amegazo all give support to the Fia. Other elders like Torvieke, Senake, Tornyemevor could not be forgotten. Voloyeye/Frankadua/Morgadzi was indeed on a very fertile land. Many staple food crops were grown by the people. Located along the North-South route, migrant traders labour and others travel through it. Dzira Logo was another name given to VFM by Hausa migrants because of the tasty varieties of cassava grown in the area. VFM is surrounded by town and village like Podoe, Aforde, Kpevekor, Nyakude kofe, Tsikpui, Kpomkpo, Avedotoe, Ayiram Jonikofe, Finte, Novekope, Agorvi, Yadorkofe and others

Market days fall on every Friday. Farmers from VFM and surrounding areas would come to do business. Buyer came from as far away as Accra, Akuse, Ada etc to buy food crops and sell their wares. Truck load of maize in maxi bags were loaded into trucks named Accra body by people like Vidogo aka Tsiki Dekpe and Mensavi aka Ntobruo to Accra, Akuse and other places. Some early entrepreneurs who opened shop at VFM were Wilson Adu Kwadjo, Kwadzo Nukpotui whose crippled son named Kwakuvi Tsabayi, also schooled at VFM Traders and hawker from Nigeria including the Goke family opened shops and or ply between VFM with wares To promote sales Adu kwadjo for example would display tins of corned beef, sardine, tinapa, mackerel, crocodile matchet (cutlass); the first person to sharpen the cutlass and cut any of the above noted canned products into two at one go would have both cutlass and item cut into two free of charge. This promoted his sales of crocodile matchets. The market flourished and all looked forward to market day. Tribal Conflicts and Disruption of Peace Land dispute existed between Akwamus and Dorfor/Volo people. The least provocation flared up into clashes that lead to loss of lives. Trivial issues like nonpayment for palmwine consumed by youngmen particularly on a market day would develop into quarrels and breaking palm wine ports. Vendors of palm wine from Akwamu areas would report the incident at home. The Akwamu would beat war drums and start hostilities towards VFM. Before the invaders arrived almost all residents women and children would hurriedly leave the town except a few brave settlers who would stay behind to protect their properties. The invader would ransack the town, live on food they found and take away sheep and goats. As soon as police arrived the invaders would disappear. Calm and peace would be restored and residents would return. This would take many weeks to achieve. Frequency of this type hostility retard growth and development of VFM. To prevent it, and to maintain peaceful co-existence for stable, social and economic development, Torgbe Kwame Kpogo Aklorbortu I once established Boys Scouts Movement.

Some of the Boys Scouts were Egbedzi, Alikotoku, Torku, Moses Kufoalor, Ludzoe, Kwame Zaprulu, Dugble, Yaka, Aneyo, Awuku Tornyemevor, Noah Senaki etc The E.P. Church/ School Such was the setting when in 1903-1904 Mr. Kpatsa with the support of Torbe Kwame Kpodo Aklorbortu II started work on the establishment of the then Bremen Mission Church/School. This work continued until in 1909 when the establishment of the Bremen Mission Church/School at VFM was accepted and confirmed by the Bremen Mission Church Headquarters at Ho (VR). There were two Christian religious churches in town; the Bremen Mission now called E.P. Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Muslim religion was also practiced in town. Christian churches, Muslims religion, and the many indigenous religions were fishing in this small lake so to speak. Practice of Christian religious evangelism was not only difficult but competitive. It was however devoid of any violence. Evangelism at the tune was practiced strictly by the Christian religious rules and regulations. The Thou shall not dos were many. For example one is forbidden from watching or spectating indigenous/social functions, plays etc. School pupils seen breaking this rule risked being punished by several lashes of cane. Drumming and dancing in churches was prohibited. In spite of all the rules and restrictions, evangelism and recruitment into the church and school continued. Most probably the first trained teacher/ evangelist VFM had was Mr. Ayim. Teacher Ayim was a calm, affable and hardworking person. He visited homes to talk to parents about the value of education and worn people for Christ and school. Torgbe Kwame Kpogo Aklorbortui I and his elders like Abliza and Kufoalor fully support Ayim and took part in his evangelistic work. With a band, two side drums, a triangle and a cymbal school pupil, teacher/evangelist and some church members would reach out to places like Kpevekor, Finte, Ayiram, Agbodokorfe with the message of Christ and to recruit pupil for the school. This method of evangelism was routinely carried out and yielded good result.

Both E.P. Church and Roman Catholic Church Schools were each a one catechist /teacher institutions. The Roman Catholic Church with its colorful paraphernalia banners, bannerettes, and candle light processions appealed to many. These supported with regular visits by white robed fathers like father Duncan from Kpando attracted people. Suddenly Mr. Lokko the lone catechist /teacher of the Catholic mission died. His replacement was late. Moderator B.S. Amegashie of the E.P. Church visited VFM frequently. During one of his working visits he heard of the plight of the Catholic Church. Come to Macedonia, Moderator B.S. Amegashie quickly evangelized and brought most of the lost sheep into the fold of the E.P. Church of VFM. It was on this occasion that V.B Amevovdzie was baptized by Moderator B.S. Amegashie in 1936 at age 10. Moderator B.S. Amegashie was popular. He combined love for evangelism with love for Kids and their education. During his period of service the church and school grew in numbers, spirit and strength. He was very inspiring. Mr. G.N.K Torkornoo of blessed memory drew inspiration from Amegashie and challenged his father Besa Davordzi Torkornoo the chief priest of a Dambai cult named Brekete. Brekete was celebrated by possessed members reducing open fire to charcoal with bare feet unhurt. On one such occasion Torkornoo told his sister that he was going to stop the ritual. He took the Holy Bible sat down and prayed while the brekete ceremony went on. For the period that brekete ceremony lasted none of his sisters were possessed, members possessed and attempted quenching the fire left with blisters feet and went home. This singular inspired action of faith/believe in God ended the practice of the cult brekete. And Christ prevailed in that house ever since. Teacher Ayim left after a tragic horrifying and sad incident which would be narrated later Tedeku was the immediate replacement for teacher Ayim. In size he was bigger and also older in age than Ayim. Tedeku was a disciplinarian who never spared the rod. Be late to class or church, make mistake in classwork or misbehave anywhere, teacher Tedeku will punish you by giving you cane whips. For a farmers child like a V.B.
4

Amevordzie to do better than his daughter in class he locked up his own daughter in school cupboard over midday break. Overtime, absenteeism from school increased. Complains about him also increased and he did last. Mr. Afor an older teacher catechist/evangelist/teacher replaced teacher Tedeku. One could not avoid mentioning a few events that made marred and made work difficult or easier for evangelist at the time. These are:-

1. The first noticeable earthquake One quite evening at about seven, some food vendors were preparing food items like, dough etc for the next day using oil and kerosene lamps for lighting. The lamps placed on kerosene tins on table were suddenly moving and going up and down. The earth moved, people were order out of buildings, Kufoalor living closest to the church ordered church bells to toll. Before church bell tolling stopped the church was fully packed with Christians and non Christians waiting or expecting to be told what was happening. Kufoalor stood tall before the people prayed and gave a short sermon. He assured the people that the coming of Christ or the end of the world was not yet near and that it was an earthquake. He admonished them to seek the salvation of God in receiving Christ. He then advised that if such event happened again they should rush out to open spaces to avoid building elapsing on them. This is to show that only God who is above all others could make the world shake.

2. Spilling of innocent blood Out of a dispute between man and wife Amenyefia the husband murdered his own father and mother in- law together in cold blood in bed. This was how Abliza the popular loving, hardworking, soft spoken evangelist leader of the church died. The whole town was thrown into grief and mourning. This act took place in a fenced house with two gates/entrances. This murderer chased teacher Ayim to the school compound; when he failed to get him, he left cutlass marks on jalousie windows of the school/
5

church building. He kept ranting and daring anybody to enter the premises. He was so wild that nobody dared enter. Rather elders decided not to display any arm. They had clubs and surrounded the house. A few elders lead by Amenorhu decided to try an antidote. This antidote was what wild animals like lion used in sealing off the area in which they wanted to hunt for their preys. This was used to spiritually seal both gates of the house. When dared, Amenyefia the all powerful murdered could not get out the residence. While the elders were contemplating on the next action to take, soldiers on recruitment assignment during 1939-45 war arrived. On hearing willful appeal of the crowd the soldiers stopped, got out of their abongo truck and went to scene. The few with guns went to each gate immediately. When ordered they all corked their guns and aimed at him. One soldier entered, ordered him to put down his matchet. He did, and was arrested. He was tied and the elders removed the amulets and charms he wore. The soldiers reported the case to police at Senchi who came and took him away. Some mourners asked why God did not save the Abliza family? It was very very sad to see a mate Kmla Abliza and her sister turn their backs to VFM and walked towards Tornu never to be seen again. As a result of this event, teacher Ayim carved the name Mia woe Tenukpor for himself and he was popularly called Miawoetenukpor until he left VFM. This was in 1939.

3. Total Eclipse of the sun Date and time of this event was announced but some people did believe that it could happen. One sunny afternoon at about 2.00pm the weather changed; sunshine to sundown to total darkness and within a few minutes to dawn, morning to bright daylight, during that short period, goats and sheep cried and run into their pens, birds sang and cock crew. This was caused when the moon moved across the face of the sun. Once more people believed that only Gods power that influenced things like this to happen. (1940/41)

Growth of the Church From the early beginning of the church membership was about Now, it is The

trend of people leaving home to seek jobs elsewhere is with us. Young members and school leavers are all over Ghana in pursuit of all kinds of vocations. This new church building commissioned not long ago needs expansion, because it sometimes over spills with members seating outside. The singular task of teaching the congregation how to sing hymns and songs properly which was first done by dedicated people like the late Moses Kufoalor continued. We have a good distinct pastor and are on the verge of getting a resident pastor. How ripe could the time be for us to celebrate our first centenary of the church! May the Good Lord continue to protect and shower blessings and all the goodness of Christ on the church, the chief and people of VFM where ever they may be a May peace, love and understanding prevail in our land. Progress of the School As a result of aforementioned problems progress stagnated. It remained at the primary level i.e. classes one to three for sometime. On attainment of class three, one had to change school. Among those hit by this situation were: VB Amevordzie Podoe/Abegusu/Annloga Seth Walker Podoe Kwame Aklorbortu Stephen Dalivor Ho and back. Kmla Abliza Tornu Goke Salami Kpong Kwadzo Afenoe Kasa-Volo Kwaku Avuwoada Gold Coast Army
7

Adam Ablekui Atsu Agbokpanya Etse Damgbey Kwabla Alorse/Dogbe - Kpedze Kwadzo Alifo George Akorli Attainment of a few Past Pupils All journey start with the first steps. We commend all who commenced schooling at the E.P. Church School at VFM. Those of you we could remember include:1 2 3 Etse Damgbey - Lab Technician at the Science Laboratory of the University of Ghana. First Ghanaian to observe the Russian sputnik that carried Uriel Garari round the world. V.B. Amevordzie Fellow of the Royal institution of Chartered surveyors England. Founder member and Past President of Ghana Institution of Surveyors. Hon. Fellow of the Commonwealth Association Surveyors and Land Economists Author Construction of Building for use in school Established Amevordzie Associates Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Dodowa

Construction Cost Consultants - a famous company now out of practice.

They all made name for VFM E.P. Church School.

To all Pupils and School Goers Future anniversary celebrations will involuntarily evolve on you. Be warned that nothing comes easy. Listen to your parent, heed the advice of parents and elders. Choose good mentors. Wisdom is not hidden under anybodys bed, it is rather in the streets. Open your mind and eye to see and grab it. Remember that some of the above named past pupils and their parents were once displaced people of this town. With cutlasses they reduced Podoe forest to savanna through farming; they weeded palm plantation of their mentor Teacher F.K.Fiadzigbe willingly. This was part of the class lessons one had to learn to succeed. IDLE MIND IS A CHEAT THAT PRODUCES DEVIL WHILE IDLE HANDS STEAL. These are like drugs, dangerous and destructive. Avoid them all to better your life now. With hard work and dedication you can do better. We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to be with and take part in the celebration of your first anniversary. Have a happy and resounding first centenary celebration. May the good lord bless and keep us all. Thank You.