News Story

Church in Ghana Donates to Local School for the Deaf

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Takoradi donated a quantity of food items and other consumables to the Sekondi School for the Deaf in Inchaban, near Sekondi in the Western Region of Ghana, on Thursday, May 15.

The items donated comprised of two bags of sugar, five gallons of cooking oil, six gallons of liquid soap, one box of canned tomatoes, 10 bags of rice, 240 rolls of toilet paper and some bails of used clothing.

The donation was part of the Takoradi Ghana Stake’s (a stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations, similar to a diocese) commemoration of the restoration of the priesthood, an important event in the history of the Church. Latter-day Saints believe the priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth. Worthy Latter-day Saint males are ordained to the priesthood by the laying on of hands and are thereafter said to “hold” the priesthood.

At a brief ceremony on the school premises, President Peter Tetteh Dzikpe, leader of the Takoradi Ghana Stake, explained at about the history of the restoration, and remarked that “priesthood is for service, hence this donation to the less privileged.”

Also donated was a check for GH¢150 to be used for the purchase of diesel fuel for the school’s electric standby generator that has lain idle for a considerable period of time due to unavailable funds to fuel it.

Mr. Kofi Oti-Frimpong, the Headmaster of the Sekondi School for the Deaf, thanked the Church in behalf of the staff and students, and appealed to other churches, organizations and kind-hearted individuals to emulate the generous gesture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In a letter of appreciation, Mr. Oti-Frimpong wrote, “gratitude is more than saying thanks. The real power of gratitude comes from making meaningful use of those things for which you are thankful.”

He also wrote, in part, “This gesture from you is seen to be in fulfillment of your Christian principles.”

On the evening of the donation, Church members watched video clips on the priesthood, tithing, and missionary work to encourage members of the Church who hold priesthood to magnify their service for God and fellowmen.

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