A twelve-member delegation from the Council of Ghanaian Pastors and Churches (COGPAC-USA), paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., to welcome Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Emmanuel Victor Smith, offer spiritual support and explore areas of collaboration in information dissemination and community engagement among Ghanaians in the United States.
Ambassador Smith expressed deep appreciation for what he described as a thoughtful and uplifting visit.
He said serving the nation in a foreign land comes with numerous challenges and knowing that men and women of God remember the Embassy staff in prayer was a great source of encouragement and strength.
“Your presence here, and especially your prayers for us, means a lot. Serving our country in a foreign land comes with its challenges, so knowing that men and women of God remember us in prayer truly strengthens and encourages us,” the Ambassador said.
He commended the Church’s continued role in promoting moral values and building community cohesion among Ghanaians abroad as well as urged the clergy to continually remind their congregation that faith must go hand in hand with hard work, discipline, and a commitment to self-improvement.
“Our churches continue to play an important role in shaping values and building community among Ghanaians abroad. I urge you to keep reminding our brothers and sisters that faith must go hand in hand with hard work. Let us encourage them to lift themselves up to strive, to learn, and to build better lives for themselves and their families,” he noted.
Touching on responsible ministry, Ambassador Smith appealed to the pastors to guard against religious practices that exploit the vulnerable or uninformed stressing that the Gospel must always uplift and empower believers rather than take advantage of them.
“I humbly appeal that our churches guard against practices that take advantage of the vulnerable or the uninformed. The Gospel must always uplift, not exploit. True faith empowers people, it inspires them to act, to work, and to serve others,” he added.
The Ambassador reaffirmed his belief in the power of faith and collective effort to advance Ghana’s progress. He thanked the delegation for their prayers and goodwill, describing their visit as a blessing to the mission and a reminder of unity among Ghanaians in the diaspora.
“Many of us here are firm believers ourselves. We love God, and we work hard for Ghana, trusting that through faith and effort, our nation will rise. Thank you once again for your prayers and for the good work you continue to do for our people. May God bless your ministries and bless our beloved Ghana,” he said.
The delegation, led by Bishop Dr. Evans Glover, held a joint prayer session for the Embassy staff, the government, the people of Ghana, and for the success of Ghanaians living in the United States.
