As part of his ministering tour of West Africa, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was received by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. The visit with the President at Accra’s Jubilee House (the Presidential Palace) on 17 February 2026 was a cordial expression of gratitude and continued commitment to the people of Ghana.
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Among the General Authorities who accompanied Elder Cook were Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Alfred Kyungu, Africa West Area President; and Elder Isaac Morrison, Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency. Representatives from the Government of Ghana, including the Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, and other officials, welcomed the Church delegation.
Elder Cook opened the discussion by sharing our Christian beliefs and noting three things he wished to communicate to His Excellency and his staff: that it was an honor to visit with them and that the Church is thankful for the positive treatment it has received under his leadership; that the Church’s humanitarian efforts throughout his country demonstrate its commitment to bless the lives of the people of Ghana; and that the Church is interested in supporting the government with initiatives that align with shared values and goals.
Addressing the status of the Church in Ghana, Elder Kyungu noted that it has been officially established in Ghana since 1978 and that Church membership in the country now exceeds 124,000. He expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support of religious liberty.
President Mahama affirmed that Ghana is a democratic and peaceful country that supports religious liberty and encourages healthy interfaith relationships. He spoke positively about the co-existence of different faiths, explaining that churches and mosques can be found alongside one another and that people are free to practice their religion as they choose. Reflecting on his Christian faith, he affirmed that “we worship Jesus Christ” and recalled aspects of the ministry of the Savior that focused not only on the spiritual welfare of people, but also on their temporal needs as He went about healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and more. He then declared, “I feel that your Church is following the path of Jesus Christ.”
President-Mahama-listens-as-Elder-Cook-discusses-faith-and-religious-liberty-on-17-February-2026.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, listens as Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discusses faith and religious liberty during a visit to Accra, Ghana, on 17 February 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sister Marian Esiape, manager of the Welfare and Self-Reliance (WSR) initiatives for the Africa West Area of the Church, reviewed several of the humanitarian projects in Ghana that the Church has undertaken in support of health, hygiene, food safety, schools, education, and more. President Mahama acknowledged the benefit those projects have had on the citizens of his country.
Focusing on educational initiatives, Elder Ringwood discussed the Church’s global online program that provides individuals with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge to improve their lives and strengthen their communities. He briefly explained the workings of BYU–Pathway Worldwide, the affordable online higher education program available to individuals regardless of religious affiliation. Approximately 5,000 Ghanaians are currently enrolled in the program, with about 38% of participants not members of the Church.
Elder-Cook,-with-a-delegation-from-the-Church,-meet-with-President-Mahama-and-members-of-his-ministries-on-17-February-2026.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with other Church leaders, meets with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and members of his ministries in Accra, Ghana, on 17 February 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Cook expressed support for President Mahama’s educational priorities, particularly his efforts to prepare young people with practical and technical skills. President Mahama gratefully acknowledged that support, saying that because of changes in business, he felt it is necessary for youth today to develop more technical skills in trades like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work.
Then, referencing his other initiatives to help the poor and needy, he stated that his administration is on the verge of rolling out free primary health care for Ghanaians, allowing patients to visit health clinics for basic health issues at no cost. He expressed concern over the rise of non-communicable diseases in Ghana and explained that his programs will help mitigate the cost of diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, which drew an expression of gratitude and admiration from Elder Cook, who had previously worked in healthcare administration.
Elder Cook commended President Mahama’s vision and well-articulated objectives for the country and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to serve the people of Ghana.
As the meeting drew to a close, Elder Cook presented President Mahama with a stained-glass wall hanging of the tree of life and a small replica of the Christus statue.
The meeting concluded in a spirit of goodwill and mutual respect. President Mahama expressed gratitude for the visit and welcomed continued collaboration with the Church in efforts that bless the lives of the Ghanaian people.