AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE LAY CHAIRMAN

Abridged Church Profile of Bro. Senyo Adzei (PhD)

Father, I Know That All My Life

Is Portioned Out for Me,

And the Changes That Are Sure to Come

I Do Not Fear to See;

But I Asked Thee for A Present Mind,

Intent on Pleasing Thee

Methodist Hymn 602:Verse 1

Birth and Family Life

Senyo Adzei is the 6^th child among the 12 children to Andrews Kofi Adzei of blessed memory and Yohana Adzoa Adzei. He was born in Tsito Awudome in the Volta Region. His parents were Class Leaders and Lay Preachers in good standing for many years. At some point, the family lived in the missions’ house in Tsito since there was no resident minister at the time.  Senyo is married to a God-given woman, Mrs. Hannah Aimee Adzei and they are blessed with 3 children.

Education

By the grace and mercies of the triune God, hardwork, perseverance and fortitude, Senyo obtained the following degrees from the corresponding Universities: Doctor of Philosophy in  Ethnomusicology (Anthropology of Music), University of Cape Coast, Master of Philosophy in Theory and Composition, Bachelor of Music and Diploma in General Music, University of Ghana, Legon, Postgraduate Certificate in Western Music Theory and Compositions, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland,  Before attaining the above degrees, Senyo had his basic and secondary education at Tsito Methodist Primary School, Tsito Old Junior Secondary School and Awudome Secondary School respectively.

Work Life

Senyo begun his working life with a building and construction firm, EPAM Company Ltd. as a Site Secretary and Inventory Taker. Senyo had one-year teaching experience at Mawuko Girls Secondary School, Ho. He moved to Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana as a research assistant to the late Dr. Alexander Akorli Agordoh. After his course work during his master’s degree, he was appointed as Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Ghana’s Department of Music. He was subsequently appointed Assistant Lecturer also in the same department after his master’s degree. Senyo moved to University of Cape Coast, where he currently lectures in the Department of Music and Dance and the Centre for African and International Studies. Senyo also worked as a visiting lecturer in the Department of African American Studies, University of Michigan-USA, Folk Music Department, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki-Finland, Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus-Denmark, and Berlin University of the Arts, Germany, and Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland.

Church Life

Senyo remained a committed Methodist since he was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in the Joshua Methodist Church, Tsito, Awudome Circuit. Currently, he is a member of Christ the King Society, East Legon, Madina Circuit. He is a foundation member of this society. He has been an accredited Lay Preacher since 2002 and served as Ewe class leader. He has been a conference member as a Diocesan representative from 2020 to date. Senyo attended two trial synods of Northern Accra Diocese in 2017 and 2018. Since 2018 annual Synod to date, Senyo has been a member of the Northern Accra Diocese’ Synods. Prior to the birth of the Northern Accra Diocese, Senyo has been a member of Accra Diocese’ Synod.

Senyo served on several Diocesan committees during and after the creation of the Northern Accra Diocese, Some of them are; the steering committee that helped implement the roadmaps of the Accra Diocese’s Implementation Committee for the smooth take-off of the Northern Accra Diocese, Northern Accra Diocesan Transition Team, responsible for the Lay Movement Council,  the Inauguration of the Northern Accra Diocese and Induction Service of the Diocesan Bishop and Lay Chairman Committee, Coordinating office for Finance and Development, Chairman of the Communication and Publications Office Advisory Team under the Executive, and the Diocesan Standing Committee. others include the 1^st Anniversary Planning Committee in Charge of logistics and setting up the venue, the 5^th Anniversary Planning Committee and the NOVEL Club 1000 Fundraising Committee.

Besides the services on committees, Senyo served the NAD in several capacities such as being the Scrutineer at 1st Trial Synod, Madina, Christ The King Society, Precentor at 2nd Annual Synod, New Achimota Circuit, St John Society, Liaison in the construction of the Northern Accra Diocesan Bishops Manse, responsible for completion and furnishing the manse within the required time. Speaking for and promoting the Northern Accra Diocese on T.V. and Radio during the 1st and 5^th Anniversary celebrations and Diocesan Annual lecture series. Assisting the D.D.O. to carry through many of his activities. At the moment, he is the producer of the Bishop’s monthly greeting among others.

Connexional Engagements

Senyo has always made himself available to the Conference office for service and he is currently serving as the Connexional Safeguarding Coordinator, a member of the Christian Arts Education Committee under the Heritage Directorate. He has been a resource person at the 2020 Ordinands’ Retreat at Mt. Olivet Society, Dansoman, Accra Diocese. Speaking on the topic ‘The Perception of the Lay of the Ministers’, Senyo was commissioned to organise and produce the First Ever Connexional Pre-Methofest Musical Concert, which took place Mt. Olivet, Dansoman Circuit in July 2019.

The Lay Movement Council

Senyo has been in almost two decades’ service to the Lay Movement Council at several levels of the Church, Christ the King Society Council Chairman, Madina Circuit Council – Vice Chairman, Madina Circuit and later the Council Chairman. N.A.D. Diocesan Lay Movement Officer – 2018 – 2022.

As an active member of the Lay Movement Council, Senyo attended several Annual General Meetings since his time with the Accra Diocese and made insightful contributions to the growth of the Church. He has also been an active member of the Biennial General meeting of the Church since the 60^th & 5^th Biennial Lay Movement Conference at University of Cape Coast.

Organisational offices held

Senyo’s involvement in the organizations of the church dates back to late 90s where he serves through as the Ho Circuit M.Y.F. Assistant Secretary and, Ho Circuit M.Y.F Secretary, Founding 1^st Vice President of the Christ the King M.Y.F. Madina Circuit MYF Vice Chairman.

He also served the Association of Methodist Church Choirs as the Secretary to the Joshua Methodist Church Choir, Tsito, Choirmaster, Joshua Methodist Church Choir, Founding Choirmaster/Organist, Christ the King Church Choir, East Legon, Madina Circuit Director of Music.