Accra Ghana Temple

Accra Ghana Temple
Accra Ghana Temple
	The Accra Ghana Temple at Christmastime 2007
Number	117
Dedication	11 January 2004, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site	6 acres (2.4 ha)
Floor area	17,500 sq ft (1,630 m2)
Height	90 ft (27 m)
	Official website • News & images
Church chronology
Additional information
Announced	16 February 1998, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Groundbreaking	16 November 2001, by Russell M. Nelson
Open house	3–20 December 2003
Current president	John Kodwo Buah
Designed by	ARUP
Location	Accra, Ghana
Geographic coordinates	5°34′2.964000″N 0°11′37.34159″W / 5.56749000000°N 0.1937059972°W
Exterior finish	Namibia Pearl granite
Temple design	Classic modern, single-spire design
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms	2
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The Accra Ghana Temple is the 117th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

History

The building of the Accra Ghana Temple was announced on February 16, 1998.^[1] Years before the temple was announced, LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley had promised members in the area they would someday have a temple close by. When the temple was announced Hinckley also told those in attendance that the church had been trying to find a place to build a temple in Ghana for five years. The temple in Accra is the second of three temples built in Africa.^[2]

The first Mormon missionaries came to Ghana in 1978.^[3] Many of the people present at the announcement of the temple had been some of the first converts in Ghana.

A site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 16, 2001. Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led the ceremony. The vice president of Ghana, Aliu Mahama, as well as other officials, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony and a radio station and Ghana Television covered the event. The temple sits on 6 acres (24,000 m²) on the main avenue that runs through the center of Accra. The exterior of the temple is made of Namibia Pearl Granite.^[4]

The temple was open to the public from December 3rd through 20th, 2003. During the tour, people were able to see the craftsmanship utilized in the interior of the temple. All of the materials used in the building of the temple were from the area. Moldings in the temple were made of native makore wood, skilled men in the area handcrafted the furniture and the art-glass windows reflect the culture. The vice president of Ghana as well as many other officials took tours through the temple.^[5]

Hinckley dedicated the Accra Ghana Temple on January 11, 2004. It has a total of 17,500 square feet (1,630 m²), two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms. ^[5]

There is a stake center and Missionary Training Center on the grounds.^[6] While all members of the church with a valid temple recommend are able to visit the temple, it primarily serves members in Benin, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo.^[5]