Church of Jesus Christ Hosts Interfaith Youth Summit in Abomosu, Ghana

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On 27 June 2024, an interfaith youth summit was held at the Abomosu Ghana Stake Center in Abomosu, Eastern Region, Ghana. One hundred and sixty youth from eight local schools participated in the event sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Local community and religious leaders instructed the students on subjects related to the theme of "Strengthening the Rising Generation." The summit targeted youth between 12 and 18 years old. The purpose of the summit was to help build up the rising generation by helping them to develop the determination to stand up for what is right and moral and shun things that will stop them from achieving their goals.   

The summit was held in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the Atiwa West District Assembly. The chairman of the event was Dr. Richard Benedict III, district director of health.

Attending the summit were students and teachers from the AME Zion Aim Higher Basic School, the Ompad STEM Senior High School, the Abomosu Great Vision International School, the Osunafo Islamic Primary, the Presbyterian Junior High School, the Abomosu Roman Catholic Junior High School, the Adventist Reformed Institute and the New Believers International School.

Participating and speaking at the summit were the Chief Imam of Abomosu, Iddrisu Yusif; the Reverend Stephen Okine from the Assemblies of God; and the District Education Director, John Kwasi Osafo. Ghana Police Chief Inspector George Anining and Church Communication Director Dr. Osei Bonsu also spoke at the summit.

Other dignitaries attending the event included the Honorable Seth Oppong, assemblyman for Asunafo, and the Honorable Seth Oppong, mayor of Abomosu.

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Representing the Church of Jesus Christ at the youth summit was President Frank Ofosu of the Abomosu Ghana Stake.  He was joined by Bishop Frank Ancquah and members of the stake communication committee, who organized the event.

In his opening remarks, President Ofosu noted the importance of interfaith relationships. “Regardless of religion, we are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. He loves all of us equally. We must do our best to show Him that we are all one in our love and devotion to Him.”

Chief Imam Iddrisu told the youth that having faith meant always knowing the right thing to do. He encouraged them to dress and groom themselves appropriately. “How you dress is a form of identification, and your character is represented by your dress and appearance,” he said.

The Chief Inspector shared that having the right types of friends is critical. “Good morals will guide you. Choose friends that have the same morals and values. Don’t make your life more difficult by having friends who don’t encourage you to do the things that are right.”

Reverend Okine spoke on honesty and integrity and noted that, “Where there is honesty, society will prosper, and God will rejoice. By showing integrity, you will gain the trust of others and increase your ability to accomplish your goals and have an impact on the world.”

Education Director Osafo had the students identify the problems they saw in Ghana. He then pleaded with them to focus on educating themselves to become leaders with integrity and to create the solutions to the problems they saw.

“You will be the next generation of leaders where previous generations have failed. Ghana cannot afford for you to fail. Please use your education and ideals to bless your country," he said.

The Interfaith Youth Summit is a yearly event held in various communities throughout Ghana. It is organized by the Communication Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and focuses on teaching interfaith harmony and cooperation at an early age.