In a spirit of unity and compassionate service, members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with community leaders to distribute food to thousands of Ghanaian families in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana. These events were part of the Church’s annual "Light the World" initiative. The initiatives, held in partnership with prominent civic and religious leaders, not only distributed essential food supplies, they also reinforced shared commitments to peace, collaboration, and community welfare.
A missionary helps a woman with her bag of food at the Light the World food donation on 3 December, 2025.
A missionary helps a woman with her bag of food at the Light the World food donation on 3 December, 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the campaign launched at Jubilee Park in Kumasi. Preceding the event, Church leaders met with local officials to strengthen community ties. Elder Kofi G. Sosu, an Area Seventy, accompanied by the Area Communications Team, met with Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang, Mayor of Kumasi, and later, separately, with Sheikh Abdul Rahman Zakaria Al Shoukry, the Ashanti Region Chief Imam.
These pre-event meetings are part of The Church’s humanitarian approach and are designed to emphasize respect for local governance and religious leadership. Engaging with both the municipal authority and a key religious figure ensured the effort was community-integrated and reached across societal sectors. The Chief Imam’s role is particularly significant in the Ashanti Region, where a large Muslim population lives harmoniously with Christian communities.
The discussions with both leaders emphasized a mutual dedication to fostering unity and lasting peace. Sheikh Al Shoukry expressed particular appreciation for the Church’s inclusive approach, noting the importance of positive interaction between Muslim and Christian communities and the deliberate inclusion of Muslim families in the charitable outreach. Before leaving, the Church delegation gifted the Imam with a framed picture featuring the pamphlet "Muslims and Latter-day Saints."
- Queen-Mothers-look-on-as-food-is-distributed-to-their-people-on-3-December,-2025.
- Dignitaries-prepare-to-deliver-messages-of-peace,-hope,-and-goodwill-on-3-December,-2025.
- Thousands-gather-to-receive-their-bag-of-food-on-3-December,-2025.
- Missionaries-offload-bags-of-food-from-the-truck-and-bring-them-out-for-distribution-on-3-December,-2025.
- A-missionary-helps-a-woman-with-her-bag-of-food-at-the-Light-the-World-food-donation-on-3-December,-2025.
- Church-representatives-meet-with-the-Mayor-of-Kumasi-on-2-December,-2025.
- Church-representatives-meet-with-the-Ashanti-Region-Chief-Imam-on-2-December,-2025.
- Elder-Annan-Simons-delivers-his-remarks-during-the-ceremony-before-food-was-handed-out-on-3-December,-2025.
- The-Chief-Imam-is-presented-with-a-gift-of-a-framed-pamphlet,-Muslims-and-Latter-day-Saints-on-2-December,-2025.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
The following week, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the campaign continued at the palace grounds of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse of Accra. Prior to the distribution there, the King received at his home the local Church leaders, including President and Sister Beeson of the Accra East Mission, President Campbell of the Accra West Mission, and Elder Franklin Sosu, a local stake president.
Their conversation highlighted the strong existing relationship between the Church and the traditional leadership, focusing on collaborative efforts that have blessed many within the community.
In Ghana, traditional leaders like the Ga Mantse hold deep cultural and moral authority. Partnering with him provides a powerful symbol of respect and endorsement, ensuring the activity was culturally attuned and trusted by the local recipients.
Several days before each event, missionaries—both young and senior—volunteered to pack thousands of food bags containing rice, oil, beans, gari, sugar, salt, and other staples. The bags were packed in assembly-line style at Church facilities and transported to the venues for distribution to recipients who were identified in advance through collaboration with local leaders to ensure aid reached the most vulnerable.
During the distribution ceremonies, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from other religious communities, and from traditional and civic institutions addressed gathered recipients. In Kumasi, Elder Samuel Annan-Simons, an Area Seventy, joined others in emphasizing the mission of The Church and in following the Savior’s example. In Accra, President Benoit Duquette of the Ghana Accra Missionary Training Center shared a message centered on the light of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Onlookers-watch-as-dignitaries-file-past-for-the-celebration-on-10-December,-2025.
- Guests-begin-to-arrive-for-the-Light-the-World-ceremony-and-food-donation-on-10-December,-2025.
- Traditional-leaders-gather-to-participate-in-the-Light-the-World-ceremony-on-10-December,-2025.
- Missionaries-arrive-to-help-distribute-and-carry-bags-of-food-for-recipients-on-10-December,-2025.
- Bags-of-food-are-offloaded-from-a-truck-and-brought-out-for-distribution-on-10-December,-2025.
- Sister-missionaries-take-a-brief-break-before-resuming-the-handing-out-of-food-on-10-December,-2025.
- Traditional-drums-greet-the-Ga-Mantse-as-he-arrives-for-the-Light-the-World-celebration-on-10-December,-2025.
- Church-delegation-meets-with-the-Ga-King-on-9-December,-2025.
- People-come-forward-in-small-groups-to-receive-their-bags-of-food-on-10-December,-2025.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Following the addresses, missionaries distributed the food packages to the pre-identified families, assisting them with carrying the goods—a simple act that brought visible joy to both givers and receivers.
Beyond the immediate benefit of satisfying hunger, the events served as a visible model of interfaith and community cooperation. For Church members, participation was a practical expression of the Savior’s mandate to "bear one another’s burdens" (Mosiah 18:8). For the broader community, it reinforced the Church’s identity not just as a religious institution, but as a stable partner in social welfare and peacebuilding.
The "Light the World" campaign is a global effort by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints each December, encouraging individuals to follow the example of Jesus Christ through acts of service. The food distributions in Kumasi and Accra are two of hundreds of such projects undertaken by Church members across Africa and the world, demonstrating faith in action and a commitment to share the Light of the Savior.
