Class of 2018 profiles: Christopher Manunyo-Nyonyoh prepared to make a difference in Ghana

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  2. Class of 2018 profiles: Pamela Fusting will close no door
  3. Class of 2018 profiles: Christopher Manunyo-Nyonyoh prepared to make a difference in Ghana
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BY JEFF STAPLETON

Though he was at Union Presbyterian Seminary for only one year, Christopher Manunyo-Nyonyoh has gained knowledge and a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree to make a difference in the classrooms in his home country in Ghana.

Manunyo-Nyonyoh was one of two exchange students from Ghana. Back home, he was a district minister teaching Christian education to children when he was called to the main office. He was invited to apply for the Master of Christian Education program at Union, which he excitedly accepted. Already fully ordained, he was only required to take a year’s worth of classes before graduating.

One of the major differences between Union and the schools of higher learning in Ghana is the relationship between the student and the professor. “Back in Ghana, it is very difficult for a student to approach a lecturer,” he said. “Even after a lecturer is done speaking, it is difficult to even ask a question.” Manunyo-Nyonyoh was relieved that at Union he had the freedom to ask a question to get a better grasp of what was going on.

 

Aside from the freedom of student and professor interaction, Manunyo-Nyonyoh was very impressed with the hospitality of the entire seminary community. He was also impressed with prayer time, which is much different than prayer time in Ghana. He said that many times, it’s too noisy to pray back home.

Taking what he has learned in the brief time that he’s been in the U.S., Manunyo-Nyonyoh hopes to bring about a radical change in the classroom in his home country. “In Ghana, one Sunday school classroom in my district has more than 50 students,” he said. “At Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church in Richmond, the maximum I saw in a classroom for Sunday school was 12 or 15.” He is hoping to get smaller class sizes for the children to grasp concepts better and to improve interaction with teachers.

To those considering seminary, his advice is to cherish each moment while attending. “Time is very limited, time is precious, time is limited,” he said. “I just arrived here yesterday.  In one year, it’s already gone. Make good use of time and follow the advice of professors. They are very wise.”

Top photo, Christopher Manunyo-Nyonyoh (center) with students Lucy Wysong and Ghana colleague Alex Ampofo.