News Release

Public Invited to Tour New Ghana Missionary Training Center

Public tours begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday August 8

The Africa West Area Presidency-presiding leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Africa - has announced an open house of the newly constructed Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Accra, Ghana, from August 7 through August 12, 2017.

 

Public tours of the new buildings are available beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday August 8 and will continue through Saturday, August 12. The final tour begins each day at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are not required to attend the open house.

“Over the coming years, this facility will introduce thousands of young men and women to Ghana,” said Elder Terence M. Vinson, President of the Africa West Area.  

“While here, they will spend several weeks learning and preparing to serve the people of Africa. Some will also learn a new language. They will come from countries around the world, many at their own expense, because they love God and desire to heed the call from a Prophet to serve the people of Africa. At the end of their missions, every one of them will love Africa and its people for the rest of their lives."

The original Ghana Missionary Training Center, located in Tema, was built in 2002. It has served up to 100 new arrivals every three weeks.

Growth of the Church in Africa, as well as recent changes in the age young men and women can begin missionary service, has caused the ranks of missionaries to swell. Once the new MTC is functioning, as many as 400 missionaries, including senior missionaries, will be accommodated every month.

In October 2012, Church President Thomas S. Monson announced that men can serve at age 18 instead of 19, and women can serve at age 19 instead of 21. MTC expansion projects in Provo, Mexico, Ghana and the Philippines will allow the 15 MTCs around the world to continue to accommodate the training of a growing missionary force.

The MTC buildings, along with the enhanced outdoor space, were designed to meet or exceed government requirements.  The buildings feature extensive glass exteriors to maximize use of natural light and create a sense of openness between the MTC and surrounding areas.  Large meeting rooms, rooms for practice lessons, and indoor/outdoor study areas are all designed to enhance the missionary training experience.

 

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.