Mahama urges community service as Assemblies of God World Congress opens in Accra
President John Dramani Mahama urged churches to turn faith into practical community support at the Assemblies of God World Congress in Accra. The three-day gathering brings together more than 10,000 participants and is the congress’s first edition held in Africa.
graphic.com.ghI have no regrets joining Assemblies of God – President Mahama
3news.comFormer Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera arrives in Ghana for World Assemblies of God Congress
A call for practical service
President John Dramani Mahama urged delegates at the opening of the 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship in Accra on October 14, 2026, to return home with practical plans to support their communities. He called for mentoring young people, supporting schools, strengthening health ministries and helping congregations working under difficult conditions.
“The lasting story of this conference, this congress, will be written in the lives that we touch after the closing prayer,” Mahama said. He urged churches to give greater attention to connecting preaching with practical service, including feeding children and supporting struggling families.
First congress in Africa
The three-day congress brings together more than 10,000 delegates from over 100 countries and is scheduled to end on Friday. It is the first World Assemblies of God Congress held in Africa, with discussions covering ministry, missions, leadership and the future of the church. Its theme is “Commissioned: One Mandate, Every Nation.”
Ahead of the gathering, General Superintendent Reverend Stephen Wengam said technical hitches had prompted organisers to move the morning conference from Independence Square to the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre. During a courtesy call by fellowship leaders, Mahama pledged continued government support for a peaceful and successful event.
Safeguarding and leadership
Mahama said churches must provide safe environments for children and vulnerable people, stressing that “spiritual authority entails a duty of care.” He urged churches and families to give young people space to ask questions, receive guidance, develop their abilities and take on meaningful responsibilities.
He also called for recognition of women’s contributions and leadership, and encouraged better-resourced members of the fellowship to support those with fewer resources. People in public office, he said, should serve with humility, honesty and integrity, with particular concern for citizens whose voices rarely reach centres of power.
Fellowship honours leaders
The fellowship presented Mahama with its maiden Global Leadership Excellence and Trailblazer Award. Its citation described him as the first Assemblies of God member worldwide to become a country’s president. First Lady Lordina Mahama was also honoured for supporting vulnerable people through her compassion ministry.
Former Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera received the Global Leadership Excellence Award. His citation described him as the denomination’s second member, and its first minister of the gospel, to become a country’s president. Fellowship Global Chairman Reverend Dominic Yeo subsequently led church leaders in prayer for Mahama.
