The Archbishop of Canterbury has met with students and staff at St Monica's Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Kumasi, Ghana, and encouraged their vocation (29 July). She also attended the opening of a new clinic to mark the college’s 100th anniversary. It was part of her ten-day tour to Ghana and Cameroon in the Church of the Province of West Africa.

The new clinic is located on the same site as Mampong Babies Home and St Monica’s College, Ghana's only female college of education. All three institutions are run by the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi.  

Following the commissioning ceremony, over a thousand students from the three institutions gathered for a service to celebrate the school's anniversary. In an address to the students, the Archbishop encouraged them in their Christian faith, saying, ‘You have to believe in yourself - that God has loved you and calls you by name.’

Archbishop Sarah said, ‘I can touch and see the kingdom of heaven this morning in this place. And know that each of you has the ability to shine like lights in the world, to be salt, to be yeast, to be that mustard seed that affects everything, by what you do and how you do it. Knowing that as you follow a career in nursing and midwifery, you have the difference, the difference that can change people's lives in the ordinary things that you do, it will transform lives and your community. Never underestimate what you do.’

Following the service, the Archbishop visited Mampong Babies’ Home, which provides care and protection for vulnerable and orphaned children.

In the afternoon, Archbishop Sarah had an audience with the King of the Ashanti Kingdom (the Asantehene) at his official residence, Manhyia Palace, in Kumasi. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury (right), met with His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (left) at Manhyia Palace during her trip to the Diocese of Kumasi in Ghana.
Photo: credit Nana Osei Adu-Boahene/Lambeth Palace

During the audience, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Archbishop Sarah exchanged greetings, gifts and spoke of their shared Anglican faith. They also reflected on the bonds of affection and history between the Ashanti Kingdom and the Anglican Communion.

Following the meeting, the Revd Akua Ofori-Boateng from the Diocese of Accra presided at Evensong at the Palace, with Archbishop Sarah delivering the homily.

More information

See Archbishop Sarah’s full address to the students at St Monica’s.

See Archbishop Sarah’s homily at the evensong at Manhyia Palace. 

See a recent news article about the visit to the Church of the Province of West Africa.