9 Jan 2026, 13:36Robert Kyei-GyauLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
London Ghana SDA Hosts Ghana High Commissioner as Church Marks Thanksgiving Service
The Sabbath morning of Saturday, 3 January 2026, was inclement, crisp, and cold. With temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius, it was clearly not a morning to be taken lightly. Yet members of the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church were undeterred, gathering in their numbers to thank God for His grace, mercy, and protection throughout the year.
They were not disappointed. The music was, as always, warming and uplifting, while the message was poignant, simple, and straight to the point.
Ghana High Commissioner Visits London Ghana SDA
The highlight of the day came during the afternoon thanksgiving service with the visit of Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, Her Excellency Mrs Sabah Zita Benson. Earlier in the morning, the congregation had also received her deputy, His Excellency Mr Aquinas Quansah, making the occasion truly memorable.
The London Ghana Youth Brass Band added colour and energy to the event, ushering in the High Commissioner and her diplomatic team with a splendid, well-rehearsed marching display. The band flawlessly rendered both the British and Ghanaian national anthems, setting a dignified tone for the visit.
Mrs Benson is Ghana’s first female High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland since the country gained independence from British rule on 6 March 1957. She has been in office for just three months.
Forum to Fight Knife Crime
In her address to the congregation, Mrs Benson announced plans by the High Commission to organise a stakeholder forum in London in April aimed at tackling the growing problem of knife and gang crime involving some Ghanaian youth.
She said she had long been aware of the menace, noting with concern that some British youth of Ghanaian descent had become involved, often with tragic consequences.
“Some Ghanaian youths are involved and have ended up in jail or in the grave. It is a very unfortunate situation. Most of those involved are young men, and their lives are being cut short, which is very saddening,” she said.
Mrs Benson disclosed that the proposed forum would bring together professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, and youth mentors to engage young people, particularly boys. The programme will also feature sporting activities and cultural education.
“We want them to understand Ghanaian values and what is expected of them, so that they do not become part of the crime statistics—those who end up incarcerated or dead,” she added.
Expressing concern that reports of stabbings often involve young Black males, she called for collective efforts to address the issue. She commended the London Ghana SDA Church for its youth-focused initiatives aimed at keeping young people on the right path and helping them thrive in the UK.
Commendation for Ghanaian Girls
The High Commissioner also praised Ghanaian girls in the UK for their achievements, noting with pride that some now serve as Members of Parliament.
“Our girls are doing well. When I go to Parliament, I see them. We must now help our young brothers to move away from gangs and violence,” she stressed.
She reaffirmed the High Commission’s commitment to improving consular services and strengthening engagement with Ghanaians in the UK and Ireland through enhanced communication and collaboration with community and faith-based organisations.
Looking ahead, Mrs Benson said the mission’s priorities for the year include deepening partnerships, improving service delivery, and building a more connected and supportive Ghanaian diaspora.
Call for Unity
Quoting Psalm 133:1, the High Commissioner prayed for unity within the Ghanaian community and praised the SDA Church for its role in bringing Ghanaians together and supporting community development.
London Ghana SDA’s Focus on Youth and Community
The Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor George Boakye Asiamah, assisted by Associate Pastor Bright Agyeman-Baah, formally welcomed the High Commissioner to the thanksgiving service.
Pastor Asiamah said the London Ghana SDA Church places premium value not only on the spiritual growth of its members but also on youth development and community engagement.
“We operate a food bank that serves needy residents in the community, organise annual community clean-ups, conduct visitations, and hold health expos that address the health needs of Newham residents,” he said.
He described the High Commissioner’s visit as timely and positive, noting that it would help strengthen relations between the UK Ghanaian Adventist community and the High Commission, while also improving access to consular services.
Focus on God’s Kingdom
Earlier in his sermon, based on Matthew 6:33, Pastor Asiamah urged worshippers to focus on seeking God’s kingdom rather than clamouring for earthly possessions, which he described as vanity. He said the church would be prioritising prayer throughout the year and encouraged members to turn away from sinful ways to receive God’s blessings and healing.
The Sabbath morning of Saturday, 3 January 2026, was inclement, crisp, and cold. With temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius, it was clearly not a morning to be taken lightly. Yet members of the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church were undeterred, gathering in their numbers to thank God for His grace, mercy, and protection throughout the year.
They were not disappointed. The music was, as always, warming and uplifting, while the message was poignant, simple, and straight to the point.
Ghana High Commissioner Visits London Ghana SDA
The highlight of the day came during the afternoon thanksgiving service with the visit of Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, Her Excellency Mrs Sabah Zita Benson. Earlier in the morning, the congregation had also received her deputy, His Excellency Mr Aquinas Quansah, making the occasion truly memorable.
The London Ghana Youth Brass Band added colour and energy to the event, ushering in the High Commissioner and her diplomatic team with a splendid, well-rehearsed marching display. The band flawlessly rendered both the British and Ghanaian national anthems, setting a dignified tone for the visit.
Mrs Benson is Ghana’s first female High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland since the country gained independence from British rule on 6 March 1957. She has been in office for just three months.
Forum to Fight Knife Crime
In her address to the congregation, Mrs Benson announced plans by the High Commission to organise a stakeholder forum in London in April aimed at tackling the growing problem of knife and gang crime involving some Ghanaian youth.
She said she had long been aware of the menace, noting with concern that some British youth of Ghanaian descent had become involved, often with tragic consequences.
“Some Ghanaian youths are involved and have ended up in jail or in the grave. It is a very unfortunate situation. Most of those involved are young men, and their lives are being cut short, which is very saddening,” she said.
Mrs Benson disclosed that the proposed forum would bring together professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, and youth mentors to engage young people, particularly boys. The programme will also feature sporting activities and cultural education.
“We want them to understand Ghanaian values and what is expected of them, so that they do not become part of the crime statistics—those who end up incarcerated or dead,” she added.
Expressing concern that reports of stabbings often involve young Black males, she called for collective efforts to address the issue. She commended the London Ghana SDA Church for its youth-focused initiatives aimed at keeping young people on the right path and helping them thrive in the UK.
Commendation for Ghanaian Girls
The High Commissioner also praised Ghanaian girls in the UK for their achievements, noting with pride that some now serve as Members of Parliament.
“Our girls are doing well. When I go to Parliament, I see them. We must now help our young brothers to move away from gangs and violence,” she stressed.
She reaffirmed the High Commission’s commitment to improving consular services and strengthening engagement with Ghanaians in the UK and Ireland through enhanced communication and collaboration with community and faith-based organisations.
Looking ahead, Mrs Benson said the mission’s priorities for the year include deepening partnerships, improving service delivery, and building a more connected and supportive Ghanaian diaspora.
Call for Unity
Quoting Psalm 133:1, the High Commissioner prayed for unity within the Ghanaian community and praised the SDA Church for its role in bringing Ghanaians together and supporting community development.
London Ghana SDA’s Focus on Youth and Community
The Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor George Boakye Asiamah, assisted by Associate Pastor Bright Agyeman-Baah, formally welcomed the High Commissioner to the thanksgiving service.
Pastor Asiamah said the London Ghana SDA Church places premium value not only on the spiritual growth of its members but also on youth development and community engagement.
“We operate a food bank that serves needy residents in the community, organise annual community clean-ups, conduct visitations, and hold health expos that address the health needs of Newham residents,” he said.
He described the High Commissioner’s visit as timely and positive, noting that it would help strengthen relations between the UK Ghanaian Adventist community and the High Commission, while also improving access to consular services.
Focus on God’s Kingdom
Earlier in his sermon, based on Matthew 6:33, Pastor Asiamah urged worshippers to focus on seeking God’s kingdom rather than clamouring for earthly possessions, which he described as vanity. He said the church would be prioritising prayer throughout the year and encouraged members to turn away from sinful ways to receive God’s blessings and healing.
