On 6 October 2023, a donation ceremony was held at the Simiw Village in the Komenda Edina Egyuafo Abrem municipality of Ghana to celebrate the donation of 20 new homes by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church built the homes for members of the community who had lost their homes in a recent flood.
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On 17 June 2022, after very heavy rainfall, the Kakum and Surowi Rivers overflowed destroying homes in several villages. The Church, working with local traditional leaders and the municipality, moved quickly to begin construction on homes for displaced villagers in Simiw. Earlier in 2023, the first five homes were completed, and keys given to the new owner. The remaining 15 homes were recently completed and donated to village residents.
“We are mindful of where the sacred funds used to build these houses have come,” said Nana Amananu II, the traditional chief of the Simiw Village. “They come from the donations of faithful members of the Church who want to show love for their fellow man.” He told his villagers, “We must treat these donations as sacred also and maintain them well.”
Nana Aman-Anu II is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having once served as a Mission Leader for the Church in Nigeria. He noted that the recent announcement of a Temple to be built in Cape Coast Ghana would be a great blessing to the people of this area. He also bore his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and noted that “the Church donates because they see the divinity and the eternal possibilities of all people.”
DOWNLOADThe Church was represented by Elder Anthony Kaku, an Area Seventy in Cape Coast Ghana. He was joined by President Christopher L. Morgan, and Sister Christine M. Morgan, Mission Leaders in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. Also attending were all three Stake Presidents in the Cape Coast Area, President Tsatsu Kofi Woananu of Cape Coast Ghana Stake, President Samuel Ferguson Laing, of the Abura Ghana Stake, and President Frederick Antwi Sr., of the Yamoransa Ghana Stake.
“The great tragedy that has befallen your village will bring you closer to Christ,” shared Elder Kaku. “I promise you that if you keep Christ first, regardless of your circumstances, He will bless your lives.”
President Morgan said, “These homes were built to provide a safe place for families. The most important work that any of you do will be within these four walls.” He pleaded with the villagers to use these homes to bless their families and to teach them about God. “And please, invite our missionaries into your homes to learn from them.”
A local Church leader, Ekow Egyir, was one of the victims of the flood. He discussed the history of the project and noted that the Church is always mindful of the well-being of God’s children. “God has said that His work and His glory is to bring about the eternal life of man,” he said. “He does that through his servants, who show their love by serving others.”
During the ceremony, the keys to the new homes were presented to the village recipients. Church leaders, traditional leaders, and village residents then toured the newly built homes.