Church Builds Road and Donates it to the Cocody Community in Cote d’Ivoire

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On 18 June 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated a newly built road to the community of Cocody in Cote d’Ivoire. The road, nearly two kilometers in length, adjoins the Cocody Cote d’Ivoire Stake Center and the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, which is nearing completion. 

Elder Alfred Kyungu, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church, participated in a donation ceremony held at the Cocody Stake Center. He was joined by Elder D. Martin Goury, also a General Authority Seventy and a native Ivorian. The ceremony was attended by many local community leaders and members and was covered by Ivorian media outlets.

“We give because we love the people of Cocody and Cote d’Ivoire,” said Elder Kyungu. “This donation is funded by the contributions of our members here in Cote d’Ivoire and throughout the world. They show their love and devotion to our Savior Jesus Christ by loving and supporting their neighbors.”

Elder Kyungu thanked the community leaders for their assistance in the construction of the new temple. 

“This temple is so beautiful and will be a great blessing to the members of our Church in the Ivory Coast,” he said. “We know that its presence will also bless this community and stand as a beacon of light and goodness for all.”

Saraka Kouakou, the temple facility manager, spoke during the ceremony, sharing details of the road construction and updating attendees on the progress of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple.

Bilé Ndedé, president of the Association of Residents of the Cocody Attoban-West Community, shared his gratitude for the donation of the road. “We are grateful to your Church for its generosity and concern for our community. This road will benefit Cocody for many years to come.”

Representing the Cote d’Ivoire Ministry of Interior and Security was Kowardio Charlote, director for the Protection of Religious Freedom. 

“The Church of Jesus Christ has shown the citizens of Cote d’Ivoire their love,” he said. “We rarely see this type of giving and thank you for your generosity and desire to improve our communities.”

The mayor of Cocody was represented by municipal council member Mathieu Kateha. Many other local community leaders were in attendance as well as neighbors of the Cocody Stake Center and the new temple.

The Church of Jesus Christ, having been established in Cote d’Ivoire in 1997, has grown to 65,000 members, meeting in 265 congregations throughout the country. President Thomas S. Monson announced the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple in 2015, and the local members anxiously await the temple dedication as it nears completion.