"Ramseyer's Report of the Station Abetifi for the Year 1891"

1891 was a peaceful year in Kwahu, and they were able to carry on their work without political interruptions. In Abetifi 34 adults and 18 children were baptised. 5 adults were excluded for sins of coarseness and the flesh. One woman who had come onto the station 18 months before after leaving her heathen husband, in this year took her five children to live with an excluded Christian in the town again. 2 of the excluded appealed not to be sent from the station, and this was granted. Ramseyer reports less of a spirit of opposition to the missionaries among the community in this year. Many of the community spent a long time away from Abetifi on trading in the north, on the rubber trade, or as hunters on the Afram plains. Ramseyer repeats his unhappiness about this. Bepong was occupied first by Catechist Boateng until his return to Asante Akim, then by the Assistant Catechist D. Kwabi until his dismissal following the discovery of his 'fall' in Akwapim before he was posted to Kwahu. Following this teacher Asiedu was posted to Bepong from Asakraka, where though he had a school he had no catechumens. Ramseyer repeats the judgement on him offered in the previous year. The Bepong station has if anything gone backwards, however, the Christians do not break away and show clearly that they are Christians, and the few baptism candidates have refused to move onto the station. In Mpraeso much the same story - the catechumens will not move onto the station, and indeed there are only two Christian families on the station, the rest of the Christians live in Mpraeso town. Ramseyer does not include the Atibie catechumens in this general condemnation - the station is rather a long way from their village, and they can live in Atibie under the influence of elder Nathaniel Odame. In Bepong and Mpraeso otherwise, there is no elderly influential Christian. Nkwatia - 5 adults and three children baptised. Obo - 5 adults baptised. Ramseyer reports the point about the problems caused by the prolonged absences of the Obos at their farms at the foot of the scarp. Pepease - 12 adults and 14 children baptised. Ramseyer clearly feels that Catechist Martinson is one of the causes of this success. He describes him as working with great understanding. Asante Akim - Catechist Boateng is also very well received, and travels widely. He has two catechumens - one a fine man from Wankyi whom the people wanted to hold back, but he is living with Boateng in Bompata. Over schools - Ramseyer disapproves of the withdrawal of the grant of chop money - it was too early to do this in the community like Abetifi and Begoro. The people - even the Christians - do not value schooling enough, despite the urgings of chiefs and missionaries.

04.02.1892

04.02.1892

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