Reverend Charles Kwaku-Odoi

Rev Charles Kwaku-Odi is a Christian minister who also works on behalf of the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) and runs a consultancy service offering business advice to charitable organisations. Charles grew up in a suburb of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Christianity was central to family and school life. During a ‘gap’ period between school and university, Charles was ordained as a minister. Charles first came to the UK in 2001 for a holiday. He returned a year later to enrol on a second master’s degree in business. Whilst studying, Charles began volunteering with the Red Cross and went on to work for the organisation in a variety of roles. He also became involved with the Faith Network for Manchester. Charles was re-ordained at Manchester Cathedral in 2008 and moved to Stockport in 2010. He has since focused on developing community, social action, social justice and interfaith initiatives across Greater Manchester. In this interview Charles discusses his upbringing in Ghana and the challenges of supporting a family of his own, here in the UK. He recalls incidents of discrimination and the actions he took as a consequence. He also reflects on a life of ‘ministry outside the church walls’ and the structural changes needed to increase development within the borough.