The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has paid a courtesy call on Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, to express appreciation on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Government, and the people of Ghana for the Church’s support to stranded nationals during the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The meeting, held at the Church’s Headquarters in Accra, acknowledged the shelter, food, clothing, and other assistance provided to more than 500 Ghanaians who fled their homes and businesses amid the violence. Hon. Ablakwa particularly commended Apostle Bernard Boakye Anyimadu, National Head of the Church in South Africa, and his leadership team for coordinating relief efforts across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Kempton Park.
The Minister noted that the intervention was crucial, given Ghana’s limited diplomatic presence in South Africa, with only one mission in Pretoria. He explained that the Church’s extensive network enabled swift assistance to affected nationals in areas difficult for consular officials to reach. He also recalled the Church’s role during the Russia‑Ukraine conflict, when its members assisted Ghanaian students and nationals to cross into neighbouring countries.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that the Church’s actions demonstrated the importance of institutions extending their mandate to support citizens in times of crisis. He proposed formal collaboration between the Ministry and the Church, leveraging its presence in over 210 nations and territories to provide timely assistance to Ghanaians abroad.
In response, Apostle Dr. Nyamekye welcomed the recognition, describing the Minister’s visit as meaningful and encouraging. He pledged the Church’s continued commitment to supporting Ghanaians in distress, stressing that its responsibility extends beyond spiritual ministry to welfare and safety. He cited the Church’s interventions in Ukraine and South Africa as examples of its broader social mission and highlighted ongoing initiatives such as prison construction to complement government efforts.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry would engage Heads of Mission and stakeholders to explore formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), defining areas of cooperation and strengthening coordination between Ghana’s diplomatic missions and the Church’s global network.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration in the interest of Ghanaians abroad.
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