Accra, Ghana - The Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Mrs. Helen M. Osei, was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree (a Doctorate of Missions) on February 18 by the Pan-African Christian Theological University of Abuja, Nigeria, an affiliate of the American Urban University in San Diego, California, USA.
The university made this decision after having followed with keen interest the diligence, zeal, and commitment with which Mrs. Osei has been executing her function as Secretary General of UPF-Ghana.
On January 11 she received a letter from the Shepherd’s Hill Theological College in Ghana, an affiliate of the Pan-African Christian Theological University, notifying her of the award. To receive such an unexpected honor was startling news.
A similar award was also given to the Paramount Chief of the Tema Traditional Area, Asongaa Nii Adjei Kraku II, whom she visited in December 22 during a week-long tour in Ghana with the Sub-Regional Director, Rev. Paterne Lin Zinsou.
During that December visit, Rev. Zinsou asked the Paramount Chief to organize a three-day durbar* in his Traditional Area bringing together the youth, government officials, religious leaders, etc., for a UPF seminar. The Paramount Chief would also be appointed an Ambassador for Peace at that event. Since the Pan-African Christian Theological University had planned to confer an honorary Doctorate Degree on the Paramount Chief in recognition of his humanitarian work, the three events were therefore scheduled for the same day, February 18, at a Presbyterian Church close to the Chief’s Palace in Tema, a suburb of Accra.
One impressive aspect is that the Paramount Chief is a Muslim but most of his sub-chiefs are members of the Presbyterian Church. Thus the event took place at the Presbyterian Church. This was an indication that the Chief has been able to transcend religious and cultural differences and establish cordial relationships among his people. He is a man of great accomplishments and is loved by everyone.
The event was widely attended and was covered by four media organizations, including the National TV/Radio and newspapers.
Before the honorary degrees were conferred, Mrs. Osei presented to the Paramount Chief an Ambassador for Peace certificate. According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Pan-African Christian Theological University, Rev. Prof. Edwin N. Korley, who conferred the awards, the awardees merited it based on their excellence in commitment, integrity, and accountability. Rev. Prof. Korley is an Ambassador for Peace as well as Ghana’s Member of the UPF Global Peace Council.
"This unimagined event and blessing of my life became possible due to the love I have received from Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon as True Parents," said Dr. Osei. "I owe all of my life to the service of humanity."
*A durbar is a rally or gathering involving both opinion leaders and the whole community. People come together to share joy and good will, with entertainment by both the opinion leaders and people from the community. Everybody contributes to making the occasion lively and joyous.