Eighty-six-year-old Rev. James Acquaah, who recently graduated from Central University, has revealed why he chose to return to school at such an advanced age.
According to him, it was a divine instruction. He explained that God directed him to pursue further studies so he could become a more informed and compassionate evangelist, building on the ministry work he was already doing.
Speaking on Joy Prime’s “Changes” with Roselyn Felli, Rev. Acquaah recounted how he left for Nigeria to teach French after graduating from the University of Cape Coast in the early 1960s. When he eventually returned to Ghana, he felt called by God to begin evangelising in secondary schools — a mission he embraced wholeheartedly.
While carrying out this work, he said God spoke to him again, this time urging him to seek formal theological education so he could become a “learned evangelist” rather than a “roadside” one. This led him to enrol at Central University in 2020 to study Theology.
He shared details of his journey:
- He attended Mfantsipim School from 1954 to 1958.
- Later earned a French degree at the University of Cape Coast.
- Moved to Nigeria to teach due to economic challenges in Ghana.
- Returned to Ghana in 2018 after feeling spiritually compelled.
Rev. Acquaah noted that although he had considered returning to Ghana many times while in Nigeria, he stayed longer because of economic necessity.
When he informed his children about his decision to return to school, they fully supported him. Despite his age and retirement, he insisted that pursuing the course was a direct instruction from God.
When asked how he managed to study and pass at 86, he simply replied:
“My intelligence is a gift from God.”
However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. At one point, he was prevented from writing his Level 300 exams because his school fees payment was delayed. Despite having answered three out of four exam questions, his paper was seized and torn in front of other students — an incident he described as very painful. The fees were later paid, allowing him to continue and complete his remaining exams.
Rev. Acquaah expressed immense gratitude to God for giving him the wisdom, strength, and perseverance needed to complete the four-year programme.
He was part of Central University’s 24th Congregation Ceremony held on November 19, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and was honoured as the Most Resilient Graduate.
