The Archbishop of Canterbury began her visit to Ghana this morning, preaching at a joyful church service led entirely by female clergy in honour of her visit.

A brass band and local school children welcomed the Archbishop to the three-hour service at St Joseph the Worker Anglican Church, which was led by female priests from the Anglican Church of Ghana.

After the service, the Archbishop broke the soil for the Church of Ghana’s new pilgrim hostel for people of African descent to visit Ghana and learn about their heritage, including the history of slavery.

Today marks the start of the Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s historic first visit to Africa since taking office, which will include time in Ghana and Cameroon.

The Archbishop thanked the congregation for their hospitality and welcome, and, preaching on Romans 8 and the words ‘If God is for us, who is against us?’, her sermon focused on God’s unwavering love and support.

Archbishop Sarah said: “Jesus is on your side, he is cheering you on, he’s running along the sidelines, he is rooting for you. You have been given the most wonderful promise of all – God is for you, and nothing in all creation will ever separate you from his love.”

She added: “When the cares of the world are upon us; when we face hardship, distress, persecution or famine, peril or the sword; when we wonder what life is all about or what we are worth, then we need to hear the words and the promise of God – God is ‘for’ us: Jesus is ‘for’ us.”

At the invitation of the Primate of West Africa, Archbishop Dr Cyril Kobina Ben‑Smith, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to the Church of the Province of West Africa is her first pastoral visit to Africa since being installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March.

Photo credit

Nana Osei / Lambeth Palace

Following the service, Archbishop Sarah broke ground at the site for the new hostel that is part of the Church of Ghana’s Heritage Anglican Culture Village and Resorts initiative. 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.”

Earlier in the morning, the Archbishop had visited five different local Anglican churches in Accra to give words of blessing and encouragement to the congregations. The Archbishop visited Holy Trinity Cathedral, ⁠St. Mary’s Anglican Church, St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church and St. Andrews Anglican Church.