On 30th March 2023, the Tema Mayor (Tema Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive), Honourable Yohane Amarh Ashitey, welcomed a delegation from the Accra Ghana Tema Stake leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints to his office headquartered at the TMA offices in Tema.
The Delegation included: Stephen Apeaning Abu Jr., Stake President and his wife, Sonya Abu; Delvyne Sandison, 1st Counselor; Dennis Appiah-Kubi, 2nd Counselor; Dennis MacCarthy Danquah, Stake Communication Director; Emmanuel Quarm, Tema 3rd Ward Bishop; Vivian Apeaning, Stake Relief Society 1st Counselor; Michael Odoom, Stake Executive Secretary; and Elders Butler and Gee, Full-time Missionaries.
This courtesy call on the city mayor comes at a time of great growth in the church within the Tema area, stating the need for collaboration of opinion leaders. President Stephen A. Abu Jr. explained the aim and purpose of the church as he spoke on the importance of strengthening families and individuals, and encouraging church members to be good citizens wherever they find themselves.
The Mayor acknowledged the goodness he has observed in church members, including some of his own distant family who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. He stressed the need to collaborate in the areas of education and relief in order to lift the lives of the people.
President Stephen A. Abu Jr. told the Mayor about BYU-Pathway International, the church’s fast growing post-secondary online education initiative. He added, “With Pathway students can use technology to gain a certificate that puts them on the path to receiving an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree at affordable prices. He also discussed the Tema Stake Gathering Place located at the Old MTC in Community 10 which is open to the general public and supports young people to learn vocational and technical skills in their efforts to become self-reliant.
Honourable Yohane Amarh Ashitey stated, “We are grateful for the time we have spent and look forward to our continued joint efforts to bless the people in the Tema Metropolis.”
One take away from the meeting was a quotation Sonya Abu shared from the Tema Stake website: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something” and together we can do more than we can do alone.
The delegation presented the Christus and the Book of Mormon as gifts from the Church. President Abu compared the Mayor to King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon in his desire to labor and serve his people, and he was invited to read the Book of Mormon to learn more.
The meeting was ended in a mutual commitment for more collaboration between the church and the local government.
~Dennis MacCarthy Danquah, Stake Communication Director
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