The Archbishop of Canterbury has met Mothers’ Union members, healthcare workers and young Anglicans on her third day in Ghana.
Most Rev Sarah Mullally praised the power of Mothers’ Union ministry to transform lives, having heard about their activities to support women and families in the Diocese of Accra and across the country.
The worldwide Christian charity aims to support family life and communities, standing against poverty, social injustice and violence.
Archbishop Sarah encouraged members: “build on him, know that you are loved and saved by Jesus Christ. That enables our tree to grow strong and you to continue your work.”
Meeting with the Anglican Young People Association, the archbishop encouraged young people to “step out in faith” and take on leadership roles in the church, as she was asked about evangelism, mentoring and campus outreach.
“So often we hear young people are the church of the future. That is not true. You are the church of today”, she said, urging them to “Tell people your story and the difference Jesus makes in your life every day.”
Archbishop Sarah also met with staff and volunteers of the St John Ambulance Ghana, as well as taking part in an interfaith lunch at the British High Commission to promote peacebuilding and the contribution of faith communities in national life.
The archbishop’s first pastoral visit to Africa since installation began on Sunday with an all-female clergy service, meeting Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Monday.
She also broke ground at the site for a new hostel as part of a new faith-based tourism project, which will welcome pilgrims from the African diaspora visiting historic slave sites. Praying for the project, Archbishop Sarah said: “Almighty God, we ask that you may bless this soil, that as the foundations go deep, our foundations may go deeper into you. And that you may prosper this land, that your word may go forward and that your justice and mercy may be seen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
Her ten-day visit to Ghana and Cameroon came at the invitation of the Primate of West Africa, Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith.