The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye, to express government’s appreciation for the Church’s support to stranded Ghanaians during the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Church’s Headquarters in Accra, was also used to explore avenues for formal collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Church of Pentecost.
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Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and the people of Ghana, Mr. Ablakwa commended the Church for providing shelter, food, clothing and other support to more than 500 Ghanaians who were forced to flee their homes and businesses during the attacks.
He particularly commended Apostle Bernard Boakye Anyimadu, National Head of The Church of Pentecost in South Africa, as well as Apostle James Quaicoe, Area Head of Johannesburg and District Minister of Pretoria, and Pastor Senoo Godsway, District Minister of Kempton Park, for their leadership in coordinating support for affected Ghanaians.
The Minister noted that the Church’s intervention was significant because Ghana operates only one diplomatic mission in South Africa, located in Pretoria, while The Church of Pentecost has a wider network of branches across the country. This enabled the Church to reach affected Ghanaians in locations that could be difficult for diplomatic officials to access promptly.
Mr. Ablakwa also recalled the Church’s intervention during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when its members and leadership assisted Ghanaian students and other nationals fleeing the conflict to cross into neighbouring countries, including Hungary and Romania.
He said the recent intervention in South Africa further demonstrated the importance of institutions and organisations looking beyond their core mandates to support Ghanaians in times of crisis.
In response, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit, describing the gesture as meaningful and encouraging. He said the recognition from government would motivate the Church to continue supporting Ghanaians in distress wherever they may be.
Apostle Nyamekye proposed greater collaboration between the Church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly in assisting Ghanaians abroad during emergencies. He noted that the Church’s presence in about 210 nations and territories gives it considerable capacity to mobilise support and provide timely assistance.
He stressed that the Church’s responsibility to Ghanaians abroad extends beyond spiritual ministry to include their welfare and safety. He cited its interventions in Ukraine and South Africa as examples of this commitment.
He also highlighted the Church’s willingness to support government’s broader development and social interventions, including its initiative to construct prison facilities to complement government’s efforts to address infrastructure needs within the correctional system.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed the Ministry’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Church, saying such cooperation could complement efforts to enhance consular outreach and provide timely assistance to Ghanaians in distress abroad.
He disclosed that the Ministry would engage its Heads of Mission and other relevant stakeholders to explore the possibility of formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Such an arrangement, he said, could define areas of cooperation and strengthen coordination between Ghana’s diplomatic missions and the Church’s international network.
