Travels to Kpong and Ho in Ghana

Dr. Dubatey and his Mother

We just returned from another wonderful, hectic, amazing weekend of travel in Ghana. We left early Saturday morning for Ho, but we had hoped to visit the Kpong Family History Center on the way. We had tried to call and/or e-mail the leaders in Kpong but had no response. We prayed for direction and guidance in our morning prayer and started on our way.

As we approached Kpong, we noticed a sign advertizing the Cedi Bead Industry Annex so we pulled over and stopped. We thought, “Since we haven’t made contact in Kpong, we might take advantage of this opportunity to visit the Bead Factory near Kpong we’ve heard so much about.” The cute little man at the Annex gave us some printed directions to the Bead Factory and encouraged us to go. We stopped at the Kpong chapel on the way and found it all locked up so we headed for the Bead Factory.

When we arrived at the Cedi Bead Industry, we met Kudjo who took us to the shop where they sold their products. When he saw our name tags, he said, “I am a member of your Church.” We told him we had been trying to call his Branch President and Family History Center Director but hadn’t been able to get through. He said, “Would you like me to call my President now?” He had his number in his cell phone and when he got the President on the phone, he was told to bring us to his home so he could meet us. Do you think that was a coincidence? Kudjo got into our car and directed us to President Dubatey’s home. On the way he told us that it is his brother who owns the factory, and his father is manning the Annex. He said there are no missionaries in Kpong, but he is trying to be one. He has been talking to a new employee at the Bead Factory and has invited him to go to Church with him tomorrow.

We had a good visit with Dr. Dubatey in his lovely home near Kpong. He spent twenty years in St. Louis, working in Public Health. His English is excellent. His wife and son are still living in Texas. He is 68 years old and practices medicine some from his home. He called his counselor Francis Kanyi who is a brother to the Family History Center Director Darlington Kanyi (who is in Kumasi for some training), and he met us at the Kpong chapel. His other brother Richard came along – he is a computer specialist. On the way to the chapel, we stopped at the President’s humble complex where he had grown up and met his 96 year old mother.

Lunch at the Volta Hotel was a special treat. This hotel is on a hill overlooking the Akosombo Dam, and we had a great view as we ate lunch and watch the Williams sisters play in the finals at Wimbleton.

Ho is a very strong Branch. We visited them several years ago when they were still meeting in Ralf Avornyo’s home. Now they are bursting at the seams in a rented building; 160 were there today. There are probably 250 on the records. Elder and Sister Sidwell have spent their entire mission there and have made a great contribution. They are presently looking for land on which to build a chapel. We were so impressed with the great spirit in the Fast and Testimony meeting – as members lined up for an opportunity to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. John taught a beginners’ Family History class during Sunday School while I registered and trained Priesthood leaders and consultants on the laptop computer with a wireless internet connection on the porch of the building. The purpose of our trip was to evaluate the building and the members to consider putting a new Family History Center in their Branch. We are impressed with the atmosphere in the town of Ho – up and coming, clean, vigorous, youthful. The Branch President is 27 – a convert of three years – very sharp. His wife served a mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City – beautiful young woman. There are about 50 singles in the Branch because of several higher education schools in the area.

We love the beautiful drive to Ho – the Volta Region is one of our favorites – along the Volta River – with beautiful green foliage – agricultural areas. We recognize how blessed we are to have the freedom we do to plan our travels and have such great experiences on a regular basis.