The Accra Ghana Temple holds a landmark place in Church history as the very first temple built in West Africa. Dedicated in January 2004, it remains a meaningful destination for anyone interested in the growth of the Church across the African continent, with a story that begins with a promise made by a prophet.
Where It's Located
The temple is located at 57 Independence Avenue, North Ridge, in Accra, Ghana. It sits on a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) site in the heart of the city.
Getting There
Accra is home to its own major international airport, Kotoka International Airport, which makes this temple one of the more accessible stops on a West African temple-focused trip. American travelers can typically find international connections into Accra through major European or West African hub cities. The temple itself is centrally located in the city, making it easy to reach from most hotels in the area.
A Bit of History
The story of this temple began with a challenge. President Gordon B. Hinckley had urged members to fellowship new converts, promising that those who did so would "be blessed with a temple in your midst." On February 16, 1998, he returned to Accra and announced the temple at an outdoor gathering in Independence Square, telling the crowd that efforts to find land for a temple — unsuccessful five years earlier — had finally come together that very morning.
Ground was broken on November 16, 2001, in a ceremony delayed by 45 minutes while organizers awaited the arrival of Ghana's Vice President, who had just returned from New York and graciously agreed to attend. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided, and the event was covered by local radio and Ghana Television.
Following a public open house from December 3–20, 2003, the temple was dedicated on January 11, 2004, by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The Accra Ghana Temple was the first temple built in West Africa and the second built on the African continent, following the Johannesburg South Africa Temple in 1985.
The temple's dedication also marked the beginning of a tradition: the youth cultural celebration held before a temple dedication, held at President Hinckley's request, started here and continued at temple dedications until 2017.
Design and Architecture
The temple sits on 6 acres (2.4 hectares) with an exterior finished in Namibia Pearl granite. A single attached spire, topped with the angel Moroni statue, rises to a height of 90 feet (27.4 meters). Inside, the building includes two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), two sealing rooms, and one baptistry, spread across roughly 17,500 square feet (1,626 square meters).
Final Thoughts
The Accra Ghana Temple isn't just a beautiful building — it's the site where West Africa's temple story began. Its accessibility, thanks to Accra's international airport, combined with its historical significance, makes it one of the more approachable and rewarding stops for travelers exploring Latter-day Saint temples outside the United States.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
https://broughmade.com
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