God Gives a Time of Growth

Mission Work in Ghana, April 2025

Keith Waaraniemi and Sakari Yrjänä | The Voice of Zion June/July 2025 - Mission Work Field Notes Article --

In the gold-mining town of Prestea and the riverside community of Aveyime, services are held under mango trees and in rented classrooms, and the gospel is shared across languages and lives. Visiting ministers from abroad join local believers in the work of God’s kingdom and in the details of daily life.

This report captures the life of faith in Ghana: congregations take root, services are organized and led, and joy springs forth when the gospel is preached in one’s own language. 

We are pleased to observe how women also take part in organizing services across the congregations. They serve actively, like Martha in the Bible, yet, like Mary, still have time to sit and listen in services. Many of them participated actively in discussions afterward. It was touching to see how they encouraged the preacher during sermons with their gestures and expressions.

When we think of previous visits to communities such as Aveyime, we note a greater number of listeners at services. God has given a time of growth.  

Yawo Goka’s Story

I am Yawo Goka and I teach French in the Junior High School of Prestea, where there are 1,700 students. There are three parallel classes in each grade, and I teach two of the lower levels. Some classes have up to 70 students. I teach 12 hours a week, but most of my work time is taken by tasks like checking exams, preparing lessons, and other paperwork.

I am married to Esi Atelas. We have six children—three boys and three girls. The oldest is 25 and the youngest is 12.

My friend Joseph Kuse lives in Accra, and I often visit him there. Once when there were services in Accra—perhaps in 2011—he invited me to attend. At the services they spoke about sin. My sins pressed me down and felt heavy. After the services I asked the speaker, “May I believe my sins forgiven?” When I heard the gospel, it brought relief—I was free.

I had previously been part of the Catholic Church. There we confessed our sins in a confessional booth to the priest, but before repentance I didn’t really understand what sin was. There, constant collections were a burden—they would ask for money two or three times. If you had no money, you couldn’t attend. I stopped going to church at 17.

Now I am happy. My whole family believes.  

Francisca Akosua Goka’s Story

I am Francisca Akosua Goka and I live in Prestea. My father first received repentance. When services were held in Prestea, I too believed my sins forgiven.

At 17, while still a student, I wanted to continue my studies at a vocational school in Prestea. Our family could not afford it, so my father asked for help from believers involved in humanitarian work. They funded my training to become a seamstress. Now I sew clothes at home, and my father bought me a sewing machine. I sew for myself, and customers come to our house to place orders. I share my work on Facebook and Instagram so that customers can see the clothes.

I dream of starting a clothing shop where I can make and sell clothes.  

Josephine Badu’s Story

My name is Josephine Badu. My husband and I have four sons. The oldest is 22 and the youngest is 6. They are all still in school. We used to live in Peki but moved to Aveyime in 2014. My husband works as an electrician for a water pump company there. In addition to housework, I make ice for sale.

While living in Peki, I received the grace of repentance at services in 2012. I was very happy when I could believe my sins forgiven.

Since moving, I have organized services in Aveyime. The first services were held in 2014, with Joseph and George speaking. My sister also lives in Aveyime with her family. In the beginning, there were very few of us. Before services, I usually set out chairs under a large mango tree and let neighbors and believers know that services are coming.

This week, two unbelieving neighbors came to services. I had told them about faith and that mission speakers were coming.

Every Sunday, I am the Sunday school teacher in Aveyime. We have a Sunday school book that I use to teach. Usually, about 20 children attend. During Sunday school, I bless the children with the forgiveness of sins.