The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Ghana, a Vaisnava religious organization, marked a significant milestone as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the official opening of their temple in Media and the installation of the Presiding Deities in 1998.
This organization, which boasts thousands of members in Ghana, has been active in the country since 1981 when it made its way to the continent on a mission to promote nonviolence and the philosophy of religion worldwide.
HG Srivas Das Vanacari, the leader of the ISKCON Movement in Ghana and zonal supervisor for the organization in West Africa, emphasized the importance of this celebration. He stressed that it's a special occasion dedicated to inspiring and transforming the lives of their members.
“This occasion is to celebrate 25 years of devotion and dedication to the service of God Almighty and humanity,” he explained.
Vanacari highlighted that the inception of the group in Ghana has contributed to the development of various communities across the country, particularly in the areas of electricity, water facilities, and education.
He expressed high hopes that the dedication and commitment shown by Ghanaians would elevate the movement to a new level of development post-celebration.
The leader acknowledged that there has been some degree of fanaticism and religious bias against their movement, and the 25th-anniversary celebration provides a platform to change Ghanaians' perceptions.
“We hope to change the narratives that we are not to be feared by anyone, for we are the well-wishers of all, and by this celebration, we hope to demystify the activities of the Hare Krishna movement because it has a message for the people in general,” he stated.
As part of the celebration, a series of activities including seminars, lectures, workshops, and counseling sessions will be organized for members.
The event is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2023, and continue through October 15, 2023.
Notably, the movement anticipates the participation of prominent international community members who will be part of the celebration and experience the joy of devotion.