News Release

Rapid Church Growth a Constant in West Africa
 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized the Koforidua, Ghana Stake on June 25, 2017. A stake is a group of congregations that are called wards or branches (a branch is a small congregation). This new stake is comprised of seven wards and four branches.

Growth of the Church is proceeding at a rapid rate in West Africa. When Elder Terence M. Vinson, President in the Africa West Area Presidency (the senior governing body of the Church in West Africa), came to Ghana four years ago, there were 40 stakes in seven countries in West Africa. 

         

This Koforidua organization accounts for the 80th stake in West Africa since the Church was established in 1978. Today the Church has organized congregations in 10 countries throughout West Africa.

More than 1,000 Latter-day Saints and their leaders gathered to participate in the organization of the new stake. This meeting was presided over by Elder Terence M. Vinson.

Elder Vinson was accompanied by Elder Marcel Guei, a newly appointed Area Seventy (an Area Seventy is a local ecclesiastical leader who supervises multiple stakes).

A special guest at the meeting was Madam Comfort Asante, the Municipal Chief Executive of Koforidua.

During the meeting, Kwami Justice Obeng was named as president of the new Koforidua Ghana Stake. Desmond Anum was named as first counsellor and Francis Ahiable as second counsellor.

          

During the meeting, Elder Terence M. Vinson said, “The Lord chooses the humble and the young to do his work. The power of the priesthood comes by being humble, teachable and submissive.”

“The Lord chooses leaders who have prepared their hearts and their spirits to serve Him. These are good men whom God has chosen,” he continued. “We invite you to follow their counsel, learn from them and strengthen your families.”

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