Founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has described his newly earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business as a turning point that will redefine not only his personal leadership approach but also his contribution to faith, governance and enterprise.

The renowned preacher graduated with excellence from the Transcontinental Institution of Higher Education, with his doctoral journey culminating in a high-profile ceremony at the GTEC Hall in Accra on Saturday, March 28.

The event drew a distinguished audience, including senior government officials, leading clergy, academics and members of the business community, underscoring the national significance of his academic achievement.

In an interview after the ceremony, Archbishop Agyinasare emphasised that earning a research doctorate imposes a higher intellectual and ethical responsibility on him.

“It's a research doctorate, so it's a PhD, and it also means that I will have to now not just issue statements, make assumptions, because every assumption you make as a doctor is seen as a principle. And so, it has to be filled with research and understanding,” he said.

He added that the qualification would sharpen his leadership approach and deepen his commitment to evidence-based thinking.

“It raises the leadership impetus in my life to become more rigorous or search more about things and come up with theories or suggestions or proposals that really mean a lot… to help take the ordinary man to another level.”

Gruelling academic journey

The Archbishop described the doctoral process as intellectually demanding and physically exhausting, involving months of intense academic discipline alongside his global ministry commitments.

“The journey was really at a high cost,” he revealed, detailing the rigorous academic workload. “I had to go through spending long hours writing, revising, rewriting. I had to write no fewer than 500 words each on at least 12 short papers… a minimum of 1,000 words each on reflective journals… 10 model projects of 3,000 words each… and then culminate it with a 371-page dissertation and defend it.”

Balancing ministry with academia proved particularly challenging. He recounted how he often had to switch from preaching at crusades straight into virtual lectures and assignment submissions.

“I would finish preaching and just go into class for lectures… During the crusade, I have to submit assignments,” he said.

The academic transition also required a shift in writing style, moving from preaching to scholarly argumentation.

“One of my professors would say… ‘Charles, stop preaching to me. You’re writing, you are preaching in your writing. Write like a scholar.’”

Researching leadership and miracles

His dissertation explored the intersection of leadership and spirituality, focusing on how leadership styles influence healing and miracle ministries.

“I came up with 20 themes on leadership and the miracle ministry… I had to deal with transformational leadership, charismatic leadership, ethical leadership, and strategic leadership,” he explained.

A key component of his research examined ethics within religious practice, particularly around healing services, testimonies and fundraising.

“I had to bring the healing ministry under scrutiny… How do you take testimonies and not exaggerate it, make it such that it can stand the test of time?” he noted.

He stressed the need for accountability in ministry, especially in managing expectations of congregants seeking healing.

“What happens to somebody who has not been healed?… There has to be an ethical way of dealing with that.”

Call for ethical prophecy

On the growing influence of prophetic ministries, Archbishop Agyinasare advocated stronger ethical standards to prevent abuse and public anxiety.

“I think that prophecy today should be… moderated,” he stated.
“The scripture even says that we should judge all prophecies… there’s also a test of the prophecy… we should test all spirits.”

He warned that without proper ethical frameworks, the credibility of the prophetic ministry could be undermined.

“The prophetic ministry is very important, but it must be managed ethically. Otherwise we lose it.”

Applying business knowledge to global shocks

With a PhD in Business, the Archbishop believes his training comes at a critical time when economies and institutions are grappling with global disruptions—from pandemics to geopolitical conflicts.

“You see, of recent past, we’ve had a lot of shocks… when COVID came… many churches… are not in existence anymore,” he observed.

He highlighted the need for innovation and resilience, drawing parallels between church leadership and entrepreneurship.

“How do you navigate from COVID and keep surviving?… we had to come up with innovative ways to still reach the people.”

Looking ahead, he indicated plans to develop practical systems to help businesses adapt to rising costs and economic instability.

“We have to go back to the drawing board… look at things we must do to help businesses bounce back… For me, it’s an opportune time to make my PhD in business come to play.”

However, he cautioned against premature solutions without adequate research.
“You don’t just have to talk on top of your head. You must have empirical evidence to back what you’re saying.”

Ghana’s moment on the global stage

In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Agyinasare linked his academic achievement to a broader national responsibility, urging Ghana to take a leadership role in global discourse.

“I would say that Ghana is at a time when we are supposed to make some impact in the world,” he said, referencing recent international developments.

“With what just happened at the United Nations… it sets Ghana into a place where we now have to… take the lead in determining how things must happen.”

As the Founder and Prelate of Perez Chapel International, his journey is not merely a story of church growth, but a blueprint for transformational leadership and national development.

Profile of Archbishop Agyinasare

As the Founder and Prelate of Perez Chapel International, his journey is not merely a story of church growth, but a blueprint for transformational leadership and national development.

Archbishop Agyinasare entered full-time ministry in 1983, a pivotal era for the charismatic movement in Ghana. In 1987, he founded the Word Miracle Church International, now known as Perez Chapel International. What began as a local mission has blossomed into a global powerhouse with a presence in 26 countries.

His reach is amplified by Precious Television, which he has led since 2013, and Agyinasare World Evangelism, a vehicle that has taken his message to diverse cultures across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In recognition of his decades of service, he was elevated to the office of Archbishop in 2022.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Archbishop has balanced the pulpit with a relentless pursuit of academic excellence. He holds a PhD in Business from the Transcontinental Institution of Higher Education, Malta, and an MBA in Human Resource Management from Tanzania Open University.

His theological foundations are equally deep, holding a Master’s and Doctorate in Theology from the Christian Life School of Theology Global, USA, and a Diploma from All Nations for Christ University in Nigeria. This rare combination of business acumen and theological depth has allowed him to lead complex institutions with the same precision he uses to deliver a sermon.

The Archbishop’s footprint extends far beyond Sunday services. He is a prolific institution-builder, having founded:

-Perez University College: Where he serves as Honorary Chancellor.

-Agyinasare Leadership Institute: Training leaders across Francophone Africa and the Philippines.

-The Agyinasare Foundation: A family-led initiative that provides 100 university scholarships annually to brilliant but needy students and covers hospital bills for the destitute.

-The Cancer Project: A specialized initiative he has chaired since 2021 to combat the disease in Ghana.

In 2024, his leadership was further recognised when he was appointed President of the Bible Society of Ghana, following a ten-year tenure as the 1st Vice President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC).

With over 80 publications to his name, translated into languages as diverse as French, Japanese, and Urdu, Archbishop Agyinasare is a major contributor to global Pentecostal scholarship. His recent academic work has turned toward the intersection of faith and societal issues.

His published research includes a religious approach to combating Galamsey (illegal mining) and studies on "Servant-Leadership" in divine healing. Notably, his upcoming publications address difficult internal institutional hazards, including "Terrorists of Leadership," an organisational framing of leader sexual misconduct, and studies on burnout among faith-based workers.

The Archbishop’s influence has been consistently validated by external bodies. In 2007, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Volta by the Republic of Ghana. Internationally, he has received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the USA (2023) and was named the 20th most influential person in Ghana in a major 2015 poll.

Married to Rev. Mrs. Vivian Agyinasare, with whom he shares four children and six grandchildren, the Archbishop continues to mentor a new generation of leaders.

Whether through his board service at Central University or his leadership at FirsTrust Savings & Loans, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare remains a definitive voice for ethical, transformational, and spirit-led leadership in the 21st century.