By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Presiding Bishop of Victory Bible Church International (VBCI), Rt. Rev. Nii Apiakai Tackie-Yarboi, has expressed firm optimism about Ghana’s future, assuring citizens that despite the current socio-economic and political challenges, the nation will not descend into chaos.
Addressing thousands of congregants at the Black Star Square during the church’s 40th anniversary thanksgiving service, the renowned cleric declared, “Ghana will not burn; God will help us.”
Bishop Tackie-Yarboi’s statement comes amid growing national anxiety and a surge in doomsday prophecies predicting instability in the country ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Preaching on the theme “Thy Will Be Done on Earth”, he cautioned against fear-mongering by self-styled prophets who, he said, have turned prophecy into a source of panic rather than hope. Drawing from Matthew 6:10, he emphasized that Jesus came to transform the earth to reflect heaven, “where there are no problems.”
According to him, the role of the Church in times of crisis is not to heighten fear but to lead in finding solutions.
“The Church of Jesus Christ exists to solve the problems of the earth. We are the salt of the earth, and we must change it, not hurt it,” Bishop Tackie-Yarboi told the congregation.
He stressed that genuine prophecy must edify, exalt, and guide—not destroy faith or cause despair.
“I am not against the prophetic; I love it. But it should serve as a problem-solving tool. What we hear today is mostly, ‘you will die,’ or ‘Ghana is burning.’ That is not the will of God,” he added.
Using biblical examples, he drew parallels with Nineveh and Sodom and Gomorrah, explaining that nations can avert destruction if their people repent and intercede for divine mercy.
“Even Nineveh was spared when they turned to God. Ghana will not burn because God will help us,” he said, urging unity and collective faith in God’s intervention.
The thanksgiving service also featured several dignitaries, including Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, who was the special guest of honour.
In his remarks, Debrah commended the church for its contribution to national development beyond spiritual guidance.
He lauded the VBCI leadership for nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit among members, aligning with the government’s vision of economic transformation.
“If you belong to a church with a leader who is thinking this way, you must count yourself very blessed,” Debrah said.
“The President’s call for a national reset means we must re-examine how we do things. The government is ready to partner with the church to empower citizens economically and spiritually.”
He encouraged the church to establish a “Business Development Desk” to support entrepreneurs within the congregation, promising state support through the Jubilee House whenever needed.
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, praised Bishop Tackie-Yarboi for four decades of steadfast leadership and service to God and country.
“Under your anointed leadership, Victory Bible Church International has raised the foundations of many generations,” he noted. “You have not only preached the gospel but have built lives, strengthened families, mentored leaders, and empowered communities across Ghana and beyond.”
Founded on June 2, 1985, at Kokomlemle in Accra, the Victory Bible Church International has grown from a small fellowship into a global Christian movement with more than 250 branches, including over 175 in Ghana and others spread across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Its mission, drawn from Isaiah 58:12, is “Raising the Foundations of Many Generations,” emphasizing restoration, discipleship, and community transformation.
Bishop Tackie-Yarboi, a respected theologian and author, founded the church with a vision to “equip believers to express God in human form” and serve as agents of change in society.
Today, VBCI operates under a structured global network of 30 consecrated bishops overseeing 38 provinces worldwide.
