Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, recently disclosed that he attempted suicide at the age of 19, attributing his survival and subsequent recovery to the intervention and support of the Church.
The Envoy shared this personal testimony while speaking at the Thanksgiving and Awards Ceremony of the inaugural 2025 Ecumenical Convention of the Christian Council of Ghana on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah asserted that the Church plays a major and indispensable role in the nation’s development, particularly through the provision of essential services across key sectors: health, social development, and education.
He highlighted that clinics and hospitals established by the Church deliver critical care in the most remote parts of the country, often filling voids where no public health facilities exist.
Church-led programs, he noted, are vital for feeding the poor, empowering the youth, and offering essential counselling and support to individuals and families in crisis.
Recounting his personal struggle, Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah explained his perspective on the value of regular church attendance.
He stated that when people question the commitment of those who invest time in church, he assures them that attending services, “every Sunday and any other day they go to to church, they are healed of depression and emotional trauma.”
He further elaborated that many individuals arrive at church “disorganized and traumatized” but leave having been “released of these troubles.”
”I am a living testimony. I attempted suicide at the age of 19; today, I am here. It is only the power of God that has seen me through.”
Call for Continued Partnership and Internal Reform
The Presidential Envoy acknowledged that many of the reforms, values, and freedoms currently enjoyed in the country were originally shaped and defended by the Church.
He affirmed that the government remains deeply committed to deepening collaboration with the Church to foster national transformation.
He characterised the Church as “one of the most reliable partners in the pursuit of human development” and encouraged it to continue partnering with the government in championing development, promoting accountable governance and transparency, and offering constructive criticism when necessary.
However, Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah also expressed concern over certain challenges within the Body of Christ, including false prophecies, spiritual manipulation, exploitation, financial indiscipline, and poor leadership. He concluded by urging the Church to maintain discipline and proactively address these internal issues.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
