Church of Jesus Christ Renovates Buildings at Orphanage in Tamale, Ghana

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On 29 November 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Tamale Childrens Home in Tamale, Ghana.  The Church will be providing much needed renovation to the boys’ dormitories and the kitchen at the Home.  During the ceremony the Church also presented the Children’s Home with a substantial food donation.

Representing the Church was Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area of the Church, and Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the area presidency.  Elder Nielsen and Elder Kyungu were in Tamale in preparation for the launch of the Light the World campaign in the Africa West Area.  On 30 November, the Church will provide food bundles for 800 families in Tamale at the Light the World launch event.

The Tamale Childrens Home provides loving care for abandoned children in northern Ghana.  Currently they serve children from the age of three weeks to teenagers.  The home is overseen by the Department of Social Welfare, under the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. The Children’s Home is faced with numerous challenges including lack of funding to feed the children and  provide proper staffing, having transportation for the children, poor accommodations and facilities, clean water supplies, and the lack of a wall to protect the children from traffic.

“We recognize and are very sensitive to the plight of these vulnerable and underprivileged children,” said Anglaare Annaciata, Regional Director for the Department of Social Welfare.  “Unfortunately, Tamale is an area with severe poverty and funding is very difficult.” She noted that the home is dependent on benevolent organizations and individuals.

Elder Nielsen shared the teachings of Jesus Christ who taught us to suffer the little children to come unto Him.  “This isn’t easy work, in fact it is very difficult, but when like minded people work together you can accomplish miracles,” he said.  He noted the joint commitment of the Church and their Muslim neighbors to bring peace to the land and take care of our children.

He also spoke of the sacrifice of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose selfless giving made this donation possible. “They give not expecting recognition or thanks, but with the hope that good is being done with their donations, and I believe that good has been done here today.”

Elder Kyung expressed his joy in seeing the smiles on the children’s faces. “We want to help make the lives of these children better.  We know that when we love and help our neighbours that we are showing our love for our Heavenly Father.”

Representing the Mayor of Tamale was Abdulai Mohammed Kennedy, the coordinating Director of the Tamale Metropolitan District.  “Your leaders came to the mayor some months ago to share your plans for Light the World in Tamale.  He asked that whatever you do, please include the Children’s Home, and you have come through for the mayor and the people of this community,” said the Director.

The Supervisor of the Childrens home, Madam Sarah Sulemana, shared her thanks for the donations and promised that they would be maintained properly. “Your good work speaks for itself,” she said. “You have given to those that are most in need.  Others have promised, but you have delivered.”

The Honorable Yakubu Hamza, Assembly member representing the Nyohini South area, said ,”it is impossible for us to measure the value of your donation today, only God can do that.  The people of Ghana are grateful for your good works, and God is happy.”

Following the donation ceremony, the Church leaders, dignitaries, and the children from the home participated in a groundbreaking celebration and a tour of the facility.

Tamale is the Capital city in the Northern Region of Ghana.  It is the third largest city in Ghana with 970,000 residents.  Although the population of Tamale is over 90% Muslim, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow with the Tamale District now having five branches and a soon to be completed District building.