The Ghana MTC Lights the World

The Missionary Training Center in Accra Ghana reached out to help Light the World in Ashaiman Ghana.  

As part of its mission to care for the poor and the needy in society, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Africa West Area, identifies communities each year to show Christlike love to the poor and needy through an initiative called Light The World. In 2022,  the Ashaiman municipality was selected to be held on Tuesday, 20th December 2022. The Ghana MTC helped arrange and prepare for the event.  All of the MTC missionaries, teachers and staff participate.  Light The World Initiative aims at making people truly feel the light of Christ.  The needy included widows, widowers, the physically challenged, orphans, etc. within the Ashaiman community who needed someone to put a smile on their faces just like Jesus Christ would have done if He were in our midst here. These individuals were identified by the community opinion leaders such as the Acting Chief of Ashaiman Divisional Council, Municipal Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, Assemblymen and Assemblywomen within the community, leaders of neighbouring Presbyterian Church and The Lord’s Mission Church as well as leaders of other faiths. 

President Paul Craig, President of the Ghana MTC, narrated the story of the birth of Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago,  which Christians all over the world continue to celebrate every year. He emphasized on Mathew 5: 16 which encourages believers to let their light so shine before men, that men may see the good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. He mentioned that the program – Light The World - was the Church’s way of showing kindness to the poor and needy just like Jesus instructed. He noted that Jesus our Saviour, has a light that influenced the changing world. When we loved (and shared) we would be just like Jesus. 

Reverend Ebenezer Akrong, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Ashaiman is literally across the street. He was grateful to have been part of the programme with his ecumenical partners, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He taught that no matter our faith we have no choice but to radiate our lights as commanded in Mat 5:16. Honorable Emmanuel Agboson, the Assembly member of Tettey Nkpa Electoral Area, was grateful to have the programme held in his area. He invited over the Municipal Chief Executive and the chief of Ashaiman into the programme because he saw it as being bigger than him alone.

Honorable Albert Boakye Okyere, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ashaiman, was full of praise for the planners of the Ashaiman Light The World programme, and was grateful for the Church’s decision to put smiles on the faces of the poor and needy. He promised the assembly’s readiness to cooperate and support churches’ efforts in the municipality. He stated that there were over two thousand churches within the municipality, and he invited all of them to emulate the example of The Church. He encouraged the beneficiaries to share with the less fortunate ones who weren't invited.  Ashaiman Stake President Alexander Kwame Boateng said The Church had been in Ashaiman for over twenty years and the purpose of The Church was to help all children of God (young or old, Christians or Muslims) to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. He testified that our God was a God of Love who gave His Son to come and sacrifice for all humankind independent of our faith. He invited all present to find a way to Light the World in our communities, by bringing smiles to the faces of other people in small ways as the Saviour would have done.  Chairman Nii Annang Adzor showed gratitude for the picture frame of Jesus Christ that had been given to him as a gift by President Paul Craig. He encouraged us all to send the message of Light The World to all corners of the world.