Accra, Aug. 4, GNA - The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at its scheduled meeting this year would elect a new Moderator for the Church.

The August 6-12 meeting at Takoradi Polytechnic would elect the 16th moderator, who would head the church for a six-year term.

Mr Emmanuel Osei Akyeampong, Public Relations Officer of PCG, told Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on Wednesday that the tenure of office of the current Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong Manso would end in December, this year.

He said eight Ministers out of 115 qualified Ministers of the church with 15 years post-ordination experience had been short-listed to be presented at the meeting for one to be elected.

An elected Moderator must have 50 plus one votes in a first round votes or a simple majority in a second round votes.

The short-listed Ministers include Rev Professor Emmanuel Martey, Ga Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Akwapim Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Prof. Cephas Omanyo, a Minister of the Church and Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana and Rev. Dr. Kwame Amoa-Kuma, Minister, Emmanuel Reformed Presbyterian Church, USA.

The rest are Reverend Nii Teiko Dagadu, Dangbe-Tongu Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Stephen Osei Sarpong, Sekyere Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Emmanuel Tetteh Terpketey, Minister, Trinity Congregation, Dansoman and Rev. Dr Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Ramseyer District Minister in Kumasi.

Mr Akyeampong said the over 1,000 delegates made up of 50 per cent laymen and 50 per cent ordained Ministers from both local and overseas congregations of the church were expected to draw up strategies to improve upon its performance.

These are particularly in the area of church growth, and on how to retain the youth who are shunning away from the strict discipline of the Presbyterian Church into other denominations.

The week-long meeting is under the theme: "Empowered By The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)".