Our History
From Camp '93 at Kpando to a national movement - the remarkable story of EPSU Ghana.
A Union Born of Vision and Faith
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana was established in 1847 but did not tackle youth work earnestly until the late 1950s. Most EP Church youth joined other denominational unions - the Young People's Guilds (YPG), PENSA, and GAMSU - for their campus fellowship.
In 1957/1958, the Synod appointed Rev. Ian Strachan to start an organized youth movement - the Christian Youth Builders (CYB). But by the early 1990s, several pressures called for something new: the FCUBE policy expanded school enrolment, the government takeover of mission schools had weakened the church's presence, and students in schools were drifting to other denominational unions.
By 1989-1990, informal student movements began taking shape in Lorenz Wolf (Tema), Mamprobi, Bubuashi, Accra-Newtown, Ho-Dela Cathedral, and Hohoe congregations. A groundswell of EP student faithfulness was growing.
The EPSU Timeline
The Proposal
At the 1992 Synod in Hohoe, General Youth Secretary Rev. Carl Kakotse presented the formal proposal for the formation of EPSU and the Brigade movement in first, second, and third cycle institutions. A policy-drafting committee was appointed, chaired by Rev. R.E.K. Agboka.
Camp '93 - EPSU is Born
Before the official Synod approval, the youth movement organized the first-ever national EP student camp - Camp '93 at Kpando Secondary School, 26-31 December 1993. Over 300 participants attended, with 19 pastors and the Synod Moderator Very Rev. J.Y. Ledo. Camp theme: "Bring Them In" (John 10:16). This maiden camp became the torch that lit the EPSU spirit.
Official Synod Approval & Zoning
At the 53rd Synod in August 1994 at Hohoe E.P. Secondary School, the church formally approved the new youth policy: "There shall be a general youth movement comprising the Brigade, Students' movement, and the junior and senior Christian Youth Builders (CYB), for ages 12-35." EPSU was established. Rev. Kakotse immediately organized EPSU groups into zones based on proximity. Camp '94 was held at Tema E.P. Church. In March 1994, the first national executives were elected in Ho.
First National Leadership
The founding national council was elected: Mark T. Tutu (President), Joyce Amegatse (1st VP), Dickson D. Tsey (2nd VP), Prince Agbelengor (Gen. Secretary), and others. Mark Tutu also wrote the EPSU Anthem/Pledge, which was composed into music by Mr. Ben Yao Tsey. The logo was designed by Dickson D. Tsey. The motto "At Peace With All" (Romans 12:18) was adopted at Camp '93.
NUPSG Dissolution
The National Union of Presbyterian Church, Ghana (NUPSG) - a joint body of EP Church and Presbyterian Church of Ghana students - was dissolved in 1996 at Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Legon. EPSU continued independently, establishing its own identity and expanding across campuses.
10th Anniversary
EPSU celebrated its 10-year anniversary at Chemu Senior High School, Tema. Camp theme: "Closing the Gaps - The Role of EPSU and Youth in General" (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
TerNet Established
At the 12th Annual Delegates Congress at Akwamuman Secondary School, TerNet (Tertiary Network) was officially formed - uniting all EPSU members in tertiary institutions. This was the culmination of efforts that began in 1998. Camp meetings also became biennial from this year, allowing zones to host their own zonal camps.
25th Anniversary
EPSU celebrated 25 years of ministry at the Accra College of Education (ACoE), marking a quarter-century of faithfully serving EP students across Ghana.
National Camp Meetings (1993-2014)
National camp meetings are held Dec 26-30 each year (biennial from 2005), bringing EP students together for spiritual growth during the Christmas season.
| Year | Venue | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Kpando Secondary School, Kpando | Bring Them In (John 10:16) |
| 1994 | E.P. Church, Tema - Community 1 | As We Believe, So We Do (James 2:14) |
| 1995 | Mawuli Secondary School, Ho | Let God's Light Be Seen In You (Matthew 5:16) |
| 1996 | Hohoe E.P. Secondary School, Hohoe | In Readiness For God's Use (2 Timothy 2:20-24) |
| 1997 | Aburi Girls Secondary School, Aburi | In Readiness For God's Use - Discipline and Evangelism (2 Timothy 2:20-24) |
| 1998 | Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School, Kumasi | I Am Coming Soon. How Prepared Are You? (Revelation 22:20) |
| 1999 | Sogakofe Secondary School, Sogakofe | Arise For Night Is Coming (John 9:4) |
| 2001 | Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua | Redeeming The Times, For The Days Are Evil (Ephesians 5:16) |
| 2002 | - | No camp held (National presidential election run-off) |
| 2003 | Chemu Secondary School, Tema | Closing The Gaps - The Role of EPSU and Youth in General (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) |
| 2005 | Krobo Girls Secondary School | Capacity Building; A Prerequisite For Breaking New Grounds |
| 2007 | Keta Secondary School, Keta | Save A Soul, Win A Crown Through Evangelism (Romans 10:14-17) |
| 2009 | Kadjebi-Asato Secondary School, Kadjebi | Built To Last (Luke 6:48) |
| 2010 | Sunyani Secondary School, Sunyani | Return To Your First Love (Matthew 3:7) |
| 2012 | Benkum Senior High School, Larteh Akuapim | Keeping The Faith (2 Timothy 4:7) |
| 2014 | University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast | God of Life, Thy Word Is Spirit and Truth (John 6:63; 17:17; Ephesians 1:13-14) |
| 2016 | - | No camp held (Band on group rallies / venue issues) |
Founding Pioneers
We honour those whose faith and courage gave birth to EPSU: Rev. C.F.K. Kakotse (General Youth Secretary), Mr. Mark Tutu, Ms. Joyce Amegatse, Mr. Bright Anipa, Mr. Dickson D. Tsey, Mr. Prince Agbelengor, Mr. Oscar Amenuku, and many others who built this union from the ground up.