Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, to express gratitude for the Church’s support to stranded Ghanaians during recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana during the meeting on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at the Church’s headquarters in Accra, the Minister commended the institution for providing shelter, food, and clothing to more than 500 Ghanaians forced to flee their homes and businesses.
He praised the leadership of the Church in South Africa, particularly National Head Apostle Bernard Boakye Anyimadu, Johannesburg Area Head Apostle James Quaicoe, and Kempton Park District Minister Pastor Senoo Godsway, for their swift coordination during the crisis.
Mr Ablakwa noted that with Ghana operating only a single diplomatic mission in Pretoria, the Church’s extensive branch network across South Africa proved vital in delivering assistance to areas diplomatic officials could not easily reach.
He also recalled the Church’s previous intervention during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when its international leadership helped Ghanaian students and nationals cross safely into neighbouring countries including Hungary and Romania.
To address future emergencies, the Foreign Ministry plans to engage its Heads of Mission and key stakeholders to explore a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Church. The proposed agreement aims to leverage the Church’s presence in about 210 nations and territories, particularly where Ghana lacks direct diplomatic representation.
Responding to the delegation, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye described the Minister’s visit as encouraging, stating that government recognition would further inspire the Church’s ongoing humanitarian work.
He emphasised that the Church views the welfare and safety of Ghanaians abroad as integral to its core mission alongside spiritual care.
Citing prior social initiatives, including the construction of prison facilities to assist with national correctional infrastructure, Apostle Nyamekye reiterated the Church’s readiness to collaborate with the state to support citizens in times of crisis.
Apostle Nyamekye shared that his six years living in South Africa gave him a deep personal understanding of these dangers, revealing that he was robbed at gunpoint twice, had his luggage stolen, and recently had to return after a national deacon was kidnapped during a service.
“I lived in South Africa for about six years and I suffered a lot from some of these things. I almost died in South Africa. Two times, I was accosted by armed robbers. The last one was too dangerous. When I was leaving South Africa, my luggage was stolen.
“And then recently, I had to rush to South Africa, about a year plus ago, when our national deacon was kidnapped in the midst of an offering and I had to rush to South Africa. I was the right person to go, not because I was a chairman, but because they knew that I have also suffered from some of these things so I needed to go in there and speak.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
