Indigenous Ga in the Development of the Basel Mission Church: The Role of Carl Christian Reindorf, Paul Mohenu And Thomas Kwatei

Abstract

From the very beginnings of the Basel Mission Church in Accra, indigenous people played very meaningful roles to ensure the success of the mission. The work of these African Christians is significant, and some historical accounts have sought to credit their roles. This study seeks to examine three (3) of these indigenous Ga in the Basel Mission Church and their contributions to the growth of the Basel Mission Church in the Ga district. These persons are Carl Christian Reindorf, Paul Mohenu and Thomas Kwatei. The study narrows to their contributions to music, mission and scholarship. Data was collected and analysed through interviews with some descendants of the three personalities. Furthermore, archival materials were consulted together with some relevant literature. The research work is based on the concept of African agency in Mission. The history of the early years of most missionary societies in Africa shows that Africans were involved in the founding and the growth of the mission. The research demonstrated that the indigenous people like Reindorf, Mohenu and Kwatei played significant roles in the successful missionary enterprise of the Basel Mission. These three men brought their cultural experiences and sound education to bear on their missionary work and this dynamised the spread of the gospel among the Ga communities.