GHANA STAKES AND DISTRICTS HOLD 2019 YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS SUMMIT

It was a wonderful opportunity for learning and relationship building as about 2000 young single adults between the ages of 18 to 30 years gathered at the University of Ghana, Legon and at the Ashesi University, Berekosu to participate in this year’s Young Single Adult Summit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana.

From the 7^th – 10^th August 2019, more than 960 young adults from Kaneshie, Laterbiokoshie, Abomosu, Ofankor, Tesano, Kasoa, Swedru, Asamankesse Stakes and Winneba District were hosted by the Ofankor Stake at the University of Ghana, Legon with the theme ‘’Priority and Balance’’; while over 920 young single adults from  seven different Stakes, namely, Tema, Adenta, Ashiaman, Koforidua, Madina, Teshie and Christiansborg including two districts from Kpong and Ho and two Mission branches - Aflao and Dzodze held their summit at the Ashesi University, Berekosu from the 25^th – 27^th July, 2019 with the tmeme ‘’Be the Light’’. (A Stake is similar in size to a diocese while a District is of a smaller size.)

The summit was organized to create an opportunity for young single adults to associate, learn gospel principles and to develop life skills that would enable them to excel in their chosen careers and be responsible men and women in their communities. Activities included workshops on various topics such as the importance of marriage, self-reliance, social media technology and usage, family history; talent shows, movie nights, games and devotional messages.  

In one of the devotional messages, Sister Nuria M. Martinez, wife of Elder Hugo E. Martinez, the second counselor in the Africa West Area presidency of the Church referred the participants to a list by President M. Russell Ballard of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church to help them prioritize and balance the varoiusdemands contesting for attention in their lives: “1-Establish priority, 2-Set attainable goals, 3-Pay full tithing, 4-Build relationships, 5-Study your scriptures, 6-Take care of yourself, 7-Live the gospel, 8-Pray often, 9-Stay focused and do your best.” She concluded by encouraging the single adults to put important things first in their lives and other things would fit in.

A young single adult with the name Dean Kofi had this to say about his experience at the summit: “It was fun, we made new friends and we were able to share ideas during the workshops that were held.”

The young single adults from the various stakes and districts helped plan the various workshops and activities with assistance from the leaders of the Church in the area.