Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Africa joined community and tribal leaders in Accra, Ghana, for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off a renovation project at the Mantse Tackie School.
The Church, in collaboration with the Ga Mantse Education Committee, will fund the renovation of the primary classroom building and construction of a new information and communication technology block and bathroom facilities, reported the Church’s Africa Newsroom.
More than 1,000 students from the school joined leaders and dignitaries in the kickoff celebration May 10, which included speeches, prayers, dancing, cultural displays and sketches from the students.
Representing the Church were Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and president of the Africa West Area, and his wife, Sister Wendy Nielsen; Elder Jörg Klebingat, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the area presidency; and Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the area presidency.
The Ga king, Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, sat beside Elder Nielsen. Known as the Ga Mantse, he is one of the prominent rulers in the country, and the school — built in 1947 — bears his grandfather’s name.
The Ga Mantse recently returned from a visit to Salt Lake City, where he attended general conference and met President Russell M. Nelson. He also recently was with Elder Nielsen when the Church donated medical and technology equipment to a Ghana hospital.
Elder Nielsen, in describing his friendship with the king, said: “Our collaboration with the Ga Mantse is one of giving and of blessing the lives of all Ghanaians. We, as a Church, are so grateful to be part of the Accra community and to be able to invest in its people.”
He explained why supporting education is so important to the Church of Jesus Christ. “When we get an education, we allow God to work through us, through our developed skills and knowledge, to bless the lives of His children. Education makes us better spouses, mothers and fathers, employees, friends and, most of all, better servants.”
A representative of Ghana’s Ministry of Education expressed gratitude for the Church’s contribution, saying it not only benefits the school but also the country as a whole.
Tema Ghana Stake leadership meets with city mayor
On March 30, a delegation from the Tema Ghana take was welcomed by the mayor of Tema, Yohane Amarh Ashitey, in his office.
The delegation included Tema Ghana Stake President Stephen A. Abu Jr and his wife, Sonya Abu, his two counselors, a member of the stake Relief Society presidency, the Tema 3rd Ward bishop and two full-time missionaries.
The courtesy call on the city mayor came at a time of great growth in the Church within the Tema area, reported Africa Newsroom.
President Abu spoke about the need for collaboration with opinion leaders, and explained the aim and purpose of the Church. He told the mayor about the importance of strengthening families and individuals, and encouraging Church members to be good citizens wherever they find themselves.
The mayor acknowledged the goodness he has observed in Church members, including some of his own extended family who are members. He stressed the need to collaborate in the areas of education and relief in order to lift the lives of the people.
President Abu told the mayor about BYU–Pathway Worldwide, the Church’s post-secondary online education initiative, and shared how the Tema Ghana Stake has a gathering 0lace where young adults can meet and learn skills to become more self-reliant.
Ashitey stated, “We are grateful for the time we have spent and look forward to our continued joint efforts to bless the people in the Tema metropolis.”
