The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Host Inter-faith Youth Summit in Koforidua Ghana

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On June 1, 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted an Interfaith Youth Leadership Summit at the Koforidua Stake Center in Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana.

The Summit was themed ‘Strengthening the rising Generation’ and targeted youth between 12 and 18 years old. The purpose was to build up the rising generation, who are our current youth leaders, by helping them to develop the determination to stand up for what is right and moral and shun those things that will stop them from achieving their goals.  The future of Ghana requires young leaders who have been trained and shaped to provide leadership and assist in the nation-building of this great country.  

In attendance at the summit were students and teachers from the St. Anne’s Anglican Basic School, Hairdressing students from Nkurakan G.N.T.D.A. and Stylish Kingdom, Koforidua Presbyterian Basic ‘A’ and JHS, Apimpoa Islamic Basic ‘A’, MahD-Deen Islamic JHS, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and youth from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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The Summit was held in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, The New Juaben North and South Municipal Assemblies. The Chairman of the summit was the Nkabumhene of the New Juaben Traditional Council, Dr. Mark Agyekum Addo (CEO of Mikado Group of Companies). He was accompanied by Okyeame Amo Boakye of the New Juaben Traditional Council. In attendance were Pastor Dr. B. B. Arloo, President of East Ghana Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Kwaku Okyere Baffour,  Executive Secretary East Ghana Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Alhaji Sulemana Ahmed, Representative of the Chief Iman of Koforidua, Rev. Alex Koranteng, Representative of the Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Mustapha H. Appiah,  New Juaben South Municipal Director of Education, Apostle Dr. Puzazor of the Local Council of Churches, Dr. Osei Agyeman Bonsu,  National Communication Director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mr. Samuel Sackey Snr., Deputy National Communication Director, Mr. Charles Akorligleh, Employment Specialist (Africa West Area), and the  Honorable Kate Bedjabeng, Assemblywoman New Juaben South.

 The Summit was divided into two sessions – The remarks by stakeholders’ session and the Speakers and Discussion Session. The conference was opened with remarks form the Summit Chairman Dr.Mark Agyekum Addo.  He admonished the youth to “study hard” and told them that “they were the future leaders and that their actions today will build tomorrow”. Dr. Osei Agyeman Bonsu then spoke about the need to use technological inventions wisely. He admonished that they watch their use of social media as there are lots of disturbing contents online however there are a lot of advantages of this technology if used correctly and for good. He said, “God has endowed you to overcome what the older generations could not survive…you can survive it if you apply the good things you have learned.”

In his remarks Alhaji Sulemana Ahmed expressed gratitude for the initiative the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints took in organizing this event and added that the Muslim community as Christians and Muslims need to collaborate more on these events. He said, “We are all one, God created you in his image, He loves you. Let’s come together as one”. He mentioned that the theme of the summit is very necessary because youth cover about 40% of the Ghanaian population and are the future leaders.  He noted that we should all look for opportunities to help our youth develop the skills, training, and morals to become successful leaders and representatives of Ghana.