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Elder Carlos Godoy, a member of the presidency of the Seventy, recently concluded visits to educational and vocational training programs administered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana. Elder Godoy is on a 10-day tour of the Africa West Area.
On May 24, 2023, Elder Godoy, accompanied by his wife Monica, and Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and president of the Africa West Area, and his wife Wendy, visited the Gathering Place at the Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake Center. The Gathering Place is a designated church location for Young Single Adults (YSA) and their friends to gather and participate in priesthood directed and YSA led experiences and activities. The focus of program is to strengthen YSA spiritually, socially, emotionally, educationally, and professionally. There are Gathering Place locations throughout the Africa West Area, generally based in local Stake Centers.
The Gathering Place in Kasoa had placed a particular emphasis on developing certificated vocational training programs to help YSA in their communities prepare themselves for improved employment opportunities. “President Russell M. Nelson has stated that education and training is not just a privilege; it is our religious responsibility,” said President Daniel Allotey of the Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake. “When the leaders of the Church approved the Gathering Place, I knew for certain that this was the Lord’s answer and the perfect solution to the YSA dilemma in our Stake. We needed this program to provide better opportunities and employment for our YSA.”
During Elder Godoy’s visit, he witnessed classes being taught in many disciplines including tailoring, soapmaking, electronics, auto mechanics, computer skills, wig making, culinary arts, and construction trades to name a few. In all, 32 different vocational classes are offered each week and the Stake Center hosts these trainings Monday-Saturday from 8AM to 7PM. There are over 400 participants each week. “Our teachers are volunteers and are certified by the National Vocational Training Institute of Ghana,” said Sister Karen Aryee, who with her husband William are service missionaries over the Gathering Place program in Kasoa. “We have monthly assessments by curriculum directors from NVTI. We provide the training to allow participants to receive vocational certificates,” she added.
“When I finish my 6-month training I will be able to get a job as a mason”, said Frank DeGraft, a program participant in the brick laying class. “That job will pay much more than I am making today,” he added.
Elder Godoy noted that the Gathering Place, “provides an opportunity to bless the community both temporally and spiritually, and also provides the opportunity for us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our neighbors in Kasoa.” According to Sister Aryee, nearly half of the program participants are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Most people bring friends, and our training programs are open to anyone who wants to learn a skill and improve their employment,” she said.
On May 25th, Elder and Sister Godoy were joined by Elder Alfred Kyungu, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area, and his wife Lucie on a visit to the Succeed in School program at the Sun City ward building in Ashaiman, Ghana.
The Succeed in School program was the inspired idea of President Alexander Kwame Boateng of the Ashaiman Ghana Stake. “We wanted to provide the opportunity for our rising generation to be successful in school and to reach their full potential,” said President Boateng. The wards in Sun City opened up their building for school age children from 12-18 to help them with their schoolwork, provide them with a place for study, and to participate in activities like choir. "This program has helped make the Sun City ward building a hub for the community," noted President Boateng.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provide the supervision and training. “Everyone is a volunteer,” said Bishop Prince Mensah of the Sun City 2nd ward, and, pointing to one of the Brothers instructing the students said, “That is my executive secretary.”
The program is available to the students from Tuesday through Friday. The students start arriving at about 5 PM and stay between one and two hours. Attendance at the Succeed in School program is between 100 and 150 students every day. Many of the students are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but actively participate in the seminary class that is offered by the full-time missionaries on Fridays.
At the conclusion of their visit, Elder Godoy and Elder Kyungu and their wives attended a short devotional where they heard from the Succeed in School choir and dance group. Elder Kyungu told the students that “Education is the key to success. It will put you on the path to realize all of your dreams.” Elder Godoy shared with the students the difficulty he had in getting his education in Brazil and noted the great sacrifices of his parents to make sure that he had the opportunities they did not have. He told the students that regardless of their circumstances, “you must continue to dream big, and never give up. God loves you and won’t forget you.”