The Theological Science Society In Ghana

During the years 1945 through 1960, when the open forum and air waves were not available to Doctor, among Doctor’s major accomplishments was the introduction of Theological Science to the Gold Coast of West Africa, then under British rule. I would suggest that the establishment of branch lodges of the Theological Science Society in the Gold Coast played a part in the Britain’s granting the Gold Coast its freedom to become the new nation Ghana. The first two prime ministers of Ghana were Doctor’s students.

In the early 1950s, Emmanuel Kwesi Essel, a native of the Gold Coast of West Africa, had come into possession, through an acquaintance, of one of our lessons. Being favorably impressed with that piece of Theological Science literature, Emmanuel wrote to us requesting Fellowship. We readily granted it. Emmanuel was the head of his tribe and a police officer. Solely because of this young man’s efforts and ability, we began to receive more and more applications for Fellowship. By 1954, we were sending our literature to 350 West Africans of the Gold Coast. Each lesson, in proper sequence, was addressed to every Member, and we packaged them in bundles addressed to Mr. Essel, who distributed them to the Members who by now were meeting regularly in a rented hall.

Under the British dominion, Gold Coast residents were not permitted, by Government fiat, to send any monies to the United States or to any other country besides England. So our Society bore all expenses, except their meeting places.

Emmanuel came to the United States in 1955 to meet and visit with Doctor. At that time, Miami Beach did not allow any black residents. Those who were employed in that city were not permitted on the Island after dark and were required to return to the city of Miami after their day’s work. Miami Beach restaurant doors were not open to them, either. Though Emmanuel was our honoured and welcome houseguest, we were limited to merely driving him around the area to view the various attractions and the beautiful residences and hotels on the ocean shore.

He was eager and grateful for instructions regarding the operation and formal establishment of a Gold Coast Lodge of Theological Science Society Membership. Up to then, we had been furnishing all lessons and letter literature. Now there were going to duplicate their own – that is, all the lessons and other pertinent instructive literature – for their direct distribution.

At the time, we were using Gestetner duplicators and equipment. I taught Emmanuel how to cut stencils and to operate the duplicating equipment. Doctor provided the funds to purchase the same kind of equipment using an originally British – based company that had introduced its products in the United States only a few years earlier.

March 6, 1957, Great Britain granted the Gold Coast of West Africa its Independence, and the new nation adopted the name Ghana. That nation’s first two prime ministers were Theological Science Society Members. The new self-governing nation, however, experienced serious problems those early years of independence. Deceit and intrigue, along with growing pains, led to the downfall of their then able and just leader, Colonel Achebong.

Undaunted, Emmanuel continued to expand the membership, establishing seven different Lodges of the Society in Ghana, and appointing a sovereign for each of the Lodges who reported to him regularly and with whom He met periodically. In less than seven years, the Membership grew to some 5,000, and they were able to cover their expenses of operation without any further assistance from the U.S. headquarters.

As is commonplace in today’s world, many worthwhile movements, such as ours meet with opposing political forces that hamper their efforts. Ghana was no different. That young nation continued to experience growing pains, suffering economic difficulties and restrictions. Consequently, their membership began to dwindle. Nonetheless, they continue to be active, and our enlightening and instructive literature and Course Study continue to benefit many among them.

Mr Essel led and served Ghana TSS admirably; visited the USA with a member Afriyie Addo in the late 1970s, and met with Mrs Ruth R. Carruthers in Libertyville Illinois. He responded to Infinite Summons in February 1993.