Elder S. Gifford Nielsen Joins Ga King to Celebrate Church Funded Renovation of School in Ghana

Download Photo

On 26 June 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was honored at a commissioning ceremony for the renovation of the King Tackie Tawiah I cluster of schools in Accra, Ghana. The Church funded the renovation of classroom blocks, and the new construction of a Library-Information and Communications (ICT) building, and sanitation facilities. The ceremony was held on the grounds of the school and was attended by many community, government and traditional leaders in Ghana.

Representing the Church of Jesus Christ was Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, a General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area of the Church. He was joined by Elder Jörg Klebingat, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency. They were joined by President Benjamin Beeson and Sister Julynn Beeson, mission leaders in the Accra Ghana Mission.

Attending the ceremony was the Ga King, His Royal Majesty Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who made the initial request to the Church for the renovation of the school. The school was named after his great-grandfather. Called the Ga Mantse by his people, he is highly revered in the Ga lands, the Greater Accra Region, and other parts of the country, and is one of the prominent rulers in Ghana.

Also attending were Elizabeth Sackey, the mayor of Accra; Samuel Adjei Tawiah, the chief executive of the Korle Kottey Municipal Assembly; Dr. Zaneta Agyemang-Rawlins, the member of parliament in Korle Kottey; Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, the minister of the Greater Accra Region; and Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, the executive assistant for the Ga Mantse.

In addition to the new construction and renovations of the buildings, the Church provided 2,000 books and 40 computers for the library-ITC building, and desks, tables and chairs for the classrooms and library.  Additionally, the Church built a fence around the school and paved the parking areas. As part of the donation, a sports arena was built and funded by friends of the Church. 

Download Photo

The opening remarks were given by Ernestina Owusuaa Boadu, school improvement and support officer of Adjabeng.  She said, “This is a profoundly joyous day. This school will now be a beacon of educational excellence and support the dreams and aspirations of generations to come.”

The MCE Samuel Tawiah said, “This is not just a ceremony; it is a celebration of our joint commitment to improving education and shared mission of providing a brighter future for our youth. We thank the Church of Jesus Christ for allowing this to happen.”

Justice Julia Amoah shared the history of the school and the timeline for the renovation. She pointed out that many prominent politicians, business leaders and community leaders began their education at the school. She mentioned that the vision and dream for this renovation came after a visit to the school by the Ga Mantse in 2021. After noting the dilapidated condition of the school, he went to his friends at the Church of Jesus Christ and asked for help.

“The Church graciously agreed to give reality to the King’s dream by funding the project. Under the distinguished leadership of Elder Nielsen, the Church of Jesus Christ and its associates have brightened the lives of student learners and teachers,” Amoah said.

The Honorable Dr. Rawlins, member of parliament for Korle Kottey, said, “I have no doubt in my mind that this will impact the student learners for years to come. This school will be a living legacy to the generosity and love of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.” 

She quoted Proverbs 22 and said, “There is no greater investment that we can make than in our children.  Train them well and they will become our future leaders.”

The Regional Minister Titus Glover encouraged the teachers, administrators and learners to properly maintain the new and renovated buildings. “The Church has shown a great deal of trust in us, and we must reciprocate that trust by committing to repairing every defect, and by providing yearly funding for maintenance. If we do this, the school will stand the test of time.”

In his remarks, Elder Nielsen talked about the great friendship that has developed between the Nielsen family and the Ga Mantse. “Our relationship is certainly a true friendship, but it goes beyond that. The two groups that we represent — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all members of the Ga State — have united in a special way with a common purpose. Our collaboration with the King is one of giving and of blessing the lives of all Ghanaians.”

“Our joint efforts will bless the lives of many families and will be a reflection of our love for Jesus Christ," he continued. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints engages in humanitarian efforts throughout the world. These efforts are funded by the donations from our members in Ghana and throughout the world.  These wonderful people don’t desire recognition for their selfless giving; they just want to know that good is being done, like what we are witnessing today.” 

The ceremony culminated with the unveiling of a statue of the school’s namesake and ribbon cutting on the new facilities. Elder Nielsen announced that the library and sports arena would be named after HRM Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, in honor of his efforts to bring the renovation to pass.

The Mantse Tackie Tawiah I Primary School is located in the Korle Kottey Municipality in Accra, Ghana. The school was built in 1947 and currently provides education services for over 1,000 students.