The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Honors Ghana Pioneers

The Church History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ recently honored two of the early pioneers of the Church in Ghana.  Brother and Sister Ralph Avornyo from Ho, Volta District, received the Ghana Mormon Pioneer of 1978 Bronze Medal.  The Medals were presented by Brother Prince Oti Ankrah, the Church History Advisor for the Accra Coordinating Council.

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The Avornyo’s were recognized for their pioneering role in the development of the Church in the Volta region of Ghana.  The seeds sown by the Avoryo family have led to the continued growth of the Church in the area.  From the humble beginnings of the Church here in 1993, the Church has grown to include 11 branches, three in Ho, and one each in Tsito, Hohoe, Kpando, Dzodze, Fenyi, Aflao, Akatsi, and Mafi Kumasi.  The Volta Region is tucked into the Southeastern corner of Ghana, with the Country of Togo to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the South.

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The Avornyo family began investigating the Church while living in the Cape Coast area of Ghana, which is where the Church had its beginnings in West Africa. They were taught the Gospel with some of the early members of the Church in Ghana, but a work transfer to the Volta Region took them to Ho where they were baptized.

“The early pioneers of the Church in Ghana sacrificed all that they had for the sake of the gospel,” said Sister Avornyo. “Our efforts seem like a drop in the ocean.  We honor all the Ghanaian pioneers.” 

Brother Avornyo expressed his gratitude to the Church for this recognition. “It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized with all those who made such a difference in bringing the Church to West Africa.”

From the first baptisms in 1978, the Church in Ghana has grown to include over 103,000 members in 359 congregations.  The Accra Ghana Temple was dedicated in 2004 and another Temple in Kumasi has been announced.