Church of Jesus Christ Launches ‘Light the World’ in Tamale, Ghana

On 30 November 2023, the Africa West Area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, launched the 2023 ‘Light the World’ initiative in Tamale, Ghana.  At the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale, the Church provided two weeks’ worth of food for over 800 families from the Northern Region of Ghana. The food was provided through donations from around the world to the ‘Light the World’ Initiative.

“We are here today to show our love for the Savior, Jesus Christ by showing our love for the people of Tamale,” said Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area of the Church at the launch ceremony. “We encourage you to think about your neighbors as well and by doing so you will strengthen your community.”

Joining Elder Nielsen in Tamale was Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area.  Elder Kofi G. Sosu, an Area Seventy from Ghana, and President Isaac Martey, of the Tamale Ghana District, were also in attendance.

Missionaries from the Ghana Kumasi Mission assisted in putting the food packages together earlier in the week and worked with local members and Church leaders to distribute the food during the event.  At the donation ceremony the missionaries were joined by President Thomas L. Kunz and Sister LaDawn Kunz, mission leaders in Kumasi.

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Local civic, inter-faith, and traditional leaders also attended the event.  The Chairman of the event was the Gukpe Naa, one of the traditional leaders in Tamale.  Representing the Muslim community at the event was the Imam Dawud Abubaka.

The Mayor of Tamale, the Honorable Sule Alifu, was represented by Elijah Kombian Fant, Deputy Director of the Tamale Metropolitan District.  The mayor’s representative officially launched the event.

“Rooted in the very heart of Jesus’s teaching were messages of peace and brotherly unity. For peace to prevail in this world, we must choose to help each other,” said the Deputy Director in his remarks. “I have nothing but admiration for your Church and their willingness to help the people of Tamale and hope to continue to work together to make a better Ghana for everyone.”

Elder Kyungu encouraged the audience to access the Church’s ‘Light the World’ website, https://www.lighttheworld.org/, to help them discover ways to reach out to their neighbours in love. “May God bless your efforts to uplift your fellow man,” he shared.

The families that received the food packages were chosen by local leaders including the mayor’s office and the office of the Imam.  Other inter-faith organizations and traditional leaders were involved in finding those most in need.  At the end of the donation ceremony the packages were distributed to the families.

“We are grateful to all of the inter-faith groups, traditional leaders, and community leaders who have worked with the Church to determine who would benefit most from these food donations,” said Elder Nielsen in his remarks, and added, “The Church of Jesus Christ has consistently supported the people of Ghana by funding key projects that we recognize will benefit the people of Ghana and contribute to the social, economic, and spiritual health of each of the Regions, and the Country as a whole. We pray that through these donations today, that the residents of these communities will be strengthened and uplifted and will feel the love of Jesus Christ.”

LightTheWorld is an invitation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to transform Christmas into a season of service. It’s a worldwide movement to touch hearts and change lives by doing the things Jesus did: feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, visiting the sick and afflicted, and showing kindness to everyone. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). #LightTheWorld is the perfect way to let our light—and His light—shine brightly.