Traditional, Inter-faith, and Community Leaders Join Elder Nielsen at Takoradi Ghana Stake Conference

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On 10 March 2024, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and president of the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presided over the Takoradi Ghana Stake Conference and the Takoradi Stake Center.  During the conference Elder Nielsen reorganized the Takoradi Stake presidency.

Called as the new Stake President was Bishop Samuel Oppong, of the Anaji Ward.  His counselors are Emmanuel Botwe and Stephen Anokye-Donkoh.   President Oppong replaces President Justice Odro-Mensah, who has served faithfully for eight years.

This reorganization was done during the Sunday session of the two-day Takoradi Stake Conference held on 9th and 10th March. President Nielsen was accompanied by Elder Enefiok Ntem, an Area Seventy of the Church.

The conference drew many members, as well as key civil, traditional, and inter-faith leaders. The Stake Center was filled to capacity with classrooms made available for those that could not meet in the Chapel.

Chief Alhaji Ibrahim Bukari Ali led a delegation of Muslim chiefs at the conference.  The Takoradi Stake has made its facilities available to the Muslim community to use during their Eid Mubarek and Eid El celebrations.

A large contingent of traditional leaders also attended the conference, led by Otumfuor Nana Baidoo Bonsoe XVI, Omanhen of Ahanta Traditional Area. He was accompanied by Nana Ananse Adjoa II, Queen Mother of Ahanta Traditional Area. 

The Honorable Joyce K. Bagina Sutherland, Municipal Director of Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly was also in attendance.  She was joined by Osei Akoto Arthur, the Western Regional Police Commander, and his Deputy Commissioner Kwaku Ayepah. The Honorable Abdul-Majeed Dorkugu, a Parliamentary candidate, also attended.

Elder Nielson commended the Regional Police Commander and his officers for maintaining peace and security in the region. He also thanked the civic officers, Muslim clerics, and the traditional leaders for their roles in maintaining communities that allowed families to live together in peace. “We are so happy to have you with us, and I believe that you have been edified and uplifted by this experience,” he said.

“This is an exciting time to be in Takoradi with the creation of a new stake last weekend (the Sofokrom Ghana Stake was created on 3 March, see story here) and getting ready to open the Ghana Takoradi Mission this July,” said Elder Nielsen. “We can see that the Lord is urgently moving His work forward. He is inviting all the members and missionaries to work together to love the people of this community and surrounding areas, share their talents and beliefs and to invite friends and neighbors to be part of the Saviors restored gospel. It is exciting!  Being engaged in this work is where we will find true happiness."

The Takoradi area holds a special place in the history of the Church in West Africa. The first baptisms in Ghana occurred in December 1978 in Takoradi and Cape Coast, and those pioneers started the first branches in the country. Elder Nielsen met with the six former Stake Presidents in the Takoradi Stake and thanked them for their role in the growth of the Church in West Africa. “It was an honor to meet them,” he said. “They and their families have given so much to be where we are today!” Currently there are 105,000 members of the Church in Ghana, meeting in 370 congregations.