Inflation Reaches Record Highs in Ghana
The impact of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict has rippled across the globe, upsetting the already unstable economic landscape in Ghana. Combined with the impact from COVID19, this resulted in hyperinflation. According to this news article, Ghana’s inflation hit 50.3% in December 2022, the highest it’s been in 21 years. Christian Outreach Fellowship (COF) held a board meeting beginning of December 2022 for a year end review and to propose a budget for 2023. Despite prices of everything skyrocketing, Christian Outreach Fellowship (COF) has been able to “sail through” and is thankful for God’s provision in the midst of so many challenges.
One of those challenges is their vehicle. Earlier this year, Emmanuel Anukun-Dabson (Director at COF) reported that, “The vehicle donated to COF in 2015 which we use for our mission field trips and ministry work is giving us problems.” After consulting with a mechanic, they were advised to purchase a new pickup truck, one that would be durable enough to withstand their frequent visits to outlying villages. The cost of such a truck, brand new, is between $30,000 and $40,000.
As of December 2022, COF had made repairs on their current truck and was able to use it again, but the costs of such repairs are going up. In addition to the ministry’s truck, many missionaries use small motorbikes, which are very useful in navigating the back roads to remote communities. Anukun-Dabson says, “The motorbikes thus make an otherwise difficult work very bearable,” and he hopes to acquire more motorbikes for their missionaries in the future.
Former Fetish Priest Surrenders Life to Christ
But financials are not the focus of Anukun-Dabson’s report. “We also praise and thank God for the lives of all souls won in the year 2022,” he writes. “Especially Bawaana.”
Bawaana, a fifty-year-old man and former fetish priest, is now a member of the new fellowship in Kachiw. This fellowship was started by Zachariah, a missionary of the Jula people group. Through this ministry, Bawaana came to acknowledge the sovereignty of Jesus and decided to lay down his idols and follow Him. “Even though he has surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, we continue to pray to God for the Holy Spirit to fully convict him to renounce his idols and hand them over to be destroyed,” writes Anukun-Dabson.
Congratulations to Hezekiah and Anita!
In other good news, COF celebrated the wedding of young couple, Hezekiah and Anita on December 4th. Hezekiah is the son of a missionary couple of the Fufulde people group, Issa and Fati Gyani. Hezekiah is also the grandson of Mallam Abukari (also known as ‘Issa Al-Masihu). You can read about Mallam Abukari’s faith journey here.
“We are forever grateful to God for how far He has brought us; staff, board members, missionaries and volunteers. We thank God for his grace, love and provision that have sustained us from the beginning of the year 2022 through to the last month of 2022.”
Emmanuel anukun-dabson, director of cof
New Year, Same Goal
COF continues to serve Christ by ministering to many far-removed people groups in Ghana. As we enter a new year, please keep this ministry and all their faithful missionaries in your prayers. May God continue to bless and provide for His people in Ghana.
The Bibles to Ghana ministry continues to bring many people to Christ every day, and is committed to bringing the Word of God to villages that have never before heard the Gospel. Click here to read more about this ministry in Ghana, Africa.