Africa West Area Presents ‘Miracle of Christmas’ Musical Event in Accra Ghana

On 24 November 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented the 7^th annual ‘Miracle of Christmas’ event in Accra Ghana.  The musical presentation included musical groups from throughout the Accra area and was held at the Christianborg Stake Center on the grounds of the Accra Ghana Temple.  The program was presented to help the Accra community celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through music and worship.

The program kicked off the Africa West Area’s celebration of ‘Light the World’, a Church-wide event that helps individuals celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ through simple acts of service.  Over 1500 people attended the event on the Temple grounds and thousands viewed the program throughout West Africa on-line on YouTube and Facebook.

Attending the event were many civic, inter-faith, and traditional leaders from throughout Ghana.  The guest of honor for the event was the Honorable Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, a Member of Parliament, and the Minister of Information for the Republic of Ghana.  Also attending were traditional leaders from the Ga kingdom and friends from the Muslim community.

Representing the Church of Jesus Christ was Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, a General Authority Seventy and the President of the Africa West Area of the Church, and Sister Wendy O. Nielsen.  The Master of Ceremonies for the program was James Owusu-Ansah, the Director of Communications in the Africa West Area.

During the program Elder Nielsen presented Minister Oppong-Nkrumah with the framed painting, ‘Lead Kindly Light’ depicting the Savior holding a lamp. “I will hang this painting proudly in my office,” said the Minister. “This will remind me that whatever we are doing, the light of Christ must guide us.”

The program included musical numbers by local choirs and soloists.  Highlights included the ‘Twinkle Voices’, a choir of 40 children from Accra, and a performance by Elisha Joseph, a local musician who was one of those chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square at the April 2023 General Conference.  The musical program concluded with all the performers gathering together to sing the closing number, O Come, O come, Emmanuel.  See Video Here 

“All across the world, members of our Church are lighting the world with the love of our Savior, Jesus “Christ,” said Elder Nielsen during his remarks. “We wanted to share that love with you tonight.  May each one of us be the Saviors light and light the world with His love.”

After the musical program, Elder Nielsen, along with Minister Oppong-Nkrumah and Ghanaian Ambassador to Belgium, Her Excellency Harriet Sena Siaw-Boateng, and all of other dignitaries, joined to switch on the Christmas lights that illuminated the Temple grounds.