Ghana Pioneers Strengthening Families Conference in West Africa

Stakeholders from West African countries have reached a consensus that necessary interventions should be taken to protect the family as the fundamental unit of the society in order to build stronger nations. This recommendation was made at the maiden edition of the Strengthening Families Conference organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana, and other partners, held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra on Thursday, June 27, 2019.

His Majesty, Dr. NII, Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Osu Mantse, chairman of  the event, set the stage by inviting participants to join him in making the conference a success “whatever purpose the Lord has for you, it has to affect the other members of your family positively. …It is fear that makes us to isolate ourselves. But the good book says, 'love conquers all.' I believe …we will come together to find better ways, innovative ways of bringing our nuclear and extended families together.”

The conference with the theme “My Family, My Strength”, had seven speakers from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone with over 400 participants from government institutions, schools, religious organizations, non-governmental organizations and the general public.

The West Africa Area Presidency, the ecclesiastical leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Africa, represented by the Area President Elder Marcus B. Nash and the First Counsellor Elder Edward Dube, emphasized in their welcome addresses, how central and important the Family is to the doctrines and teachings of the church, by reading from the publication: "The Family, A Proclamation to the World," and the Book of Mormon, respectively.

Elder Nash explained during his address “I think the concept that 'what God has joined together, let no man put asunder,' is a concept that runs through every faith, religion and belief." He further explained, “…oxygen is essential to sustain life. The family is essential to sustain the spiritual, moral and even the economic stability of nations and of the world at large. So, I invite each of us to look for those ways individually, in our religious congregations, in our communities in which we live, within our nations to undertake every possible way, in righteousness, to strengthen marriage and family.”

The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Freda Prempeh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana who represented the honorable minister and the special guest of honour H. E. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana. “I am particularly excited for the chosen theme “my family, my strength” and believe earnestly that it is timely and appropriate especially now that cases of abuse are on the increase,” she said.

"Building strong family ties requires a collaborative effort among institutions such as religious bodies, traditional/opinion leaders, CSOs, NGOs and the government. It is for this reason that the ministry wishes to commend the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for organizing this conference. The ministry opens its doors to you for future collaborations that promote worthy causes and ensures the sustainability of the family ties and enhances developmental process of the country," Honorable Prempeh concluded.

On the sides of the conference, participants were introduced to the Family History, The Self Reliance Resource and the ‘My Standards’ exhibition booths, where efforts by the Church to uphold family values and standards based on the gospel of Jesus Christ were showcased. Individuals and organisations who have been active in the promotion and protection Family Values in Ghana were also recognized with award plaques.

The conference concluded with a beautiful rendition of the hymn 'I am A Child of God' in English, French and Twi by the Bountiful Choir, Accra.

Africa West Area

The Africa West Area includes 17 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Western Sahara.

The Church has established units in the countries of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea, Togo and Mali, which are organized into stakes, wards, districts, branches and missions. Members in the remaining countries are served through the Africa West Area Mission and the area president serves as the mission president.