Ghana Hosts Historic World Assemblies of God Congress as More Than 10,000 Delegates Gather in Accra

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi for GhanaianNewsCanada
14 OCTOBER 2026

Ghana has welcomed church leaders, ministers and delegates from around the world for the 10th Triennial World Assemblies of God Fellowship Congress, marking the first time in the organisation’s 115-year history that the global gathering is being held on African soil.

The three-day congress officially opened in Accra on Wednesday, October 14, bringing together more than 10,000 delegates from over 100 countries for worship, leadership discussions, fellowship and strategic conversations about the future of the global Pentecostal movement.

Held under the theme, “Commissioned: One Mandate, Every Nation,” the congress is scheduled to run until Friday, October 16, with daytime sessions at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre and evening revival rallies at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The event is being hosted by the Assemblies of God, Ghana, under the leadership of its General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, with the participation of the global fellowship’s chairman, Rev. Dominic Yeo of Singapore.

For Ghana, the gathering represents a significant moment in the country’s religious and international engagement, bringing together leaders from a global Christian movement that reports approximately 88 million adherents across more than 451,000 churches in over 180 countries.

President Mahama calls for religious tolerance and responsible leadership

President John Dramani Mahama attended the opening ceremony alongside First Lady Lordina Mahama, both of whom are members of the Assemblies of God Church.

Addressing participants, the President emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence, respect for religious differences and responsible leadership in a country characterised by diverse religious beliefs.

He said that although his Christian faith remained an important source of personal strength, his responsibility as President was to serve every Ghanaian, regardless of religious affiliation.

The President also highlighted the contribution religious institutions can make to promoting honesty, compassion, peace and responsible citizenship.

He urged churches to maintain their moral independence and continue speaking against injustice and human suffering, while investing in the development of young people and protecting vulnerable members of society.

His message placed the congress within Ghana’s wider tradition of religious coexistence, where Christians, Muslims, traditional religious communities and people who profess no religious faith live and work together.

The President’s participation also reflected the government’s support for an event expected to attract international visitors and generate activity across several sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

Why Ghana’s selection is historically significant

The decision to bring the World Assemblies of God Fellowship Congress to Ghana was made during the ninth triennial congress in Madrid, Spain, in 2023.

Rev. Barnabas Mtokambali, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Tanzania, proposed Ghana as host.

The selection marked a major milestone for the African Pentecostal community, giving the continent an opportunity to host a global gathering that had previously taken place outside Africa.

Church leaders have described the decision as recognition of the growth and influence of African churches within the international Christian movement.

Ghana’s selection also offers an opportunity to showcase the country’s ability to organise international conferences and welcome visitors from different cultural, national and religious backgrounds.

The Assemblies of God movement has a substantial presence in Ghana, with churches operating across the country and participating in evangelism, education, community outreach and other social activities.

Hosting the congress brings these local activities into direct contact with a wider international network of church leaders and mission organisations.

Global church leaders focus on missions and church growth

Beyond the opening ceremony, the congress programme includes plenary sessions, workshops, leadership discussions and mission-focused activities.

Rev. Dominic Yeo, Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is among the principal leaders guiding the gathering.

The programme is designed to strengthen co-operation among national Assemblies of God fellowships and encourage the sharing of experiences in church development, leadership, mission work and the training of younger generations.

Sessions on church planting, church health, missions and next-generation ministry form part of the congress agenda.

These discussions are particularly relevant to a movement whose churches operate across countries with different social conditions, languages, cultures and religious environments.

The gathering provides an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas about how churches can respond to changing communities, develop new leaders and sustain their mission work.

For African delegates, the congress also creates an international platform to discuss the continent’s growing role in global Christianity and the opportunities for collaboration between African and overseas churches.

Evening revival rallies open to the public

While the daytime sessions are designed primarily for registered delegates, the evening revival rallies at the Accra Sports Stadium are open to the public.

The rallies are scheduled to feature worship, prayer, preaching and gospel music, with performers and speakers including Ghanaian gospel musician Joe Mettle, Nigerian gospel artistes Sinach and Dunsin Oyekan, and American minister Angela Donadio.

The programme also includes prominent Christian leaders such as Bishop Dag Heward-Mills and Rev. Doug Clay.

Organisers expect the public rallies to attract worshippers from different Christian denominations, extending the congress beyond registered international delegates.

The evening gatherings are therefore an important part of the event’s local reach, allowing Ghanaian church members who are not attending the daytime leadership sessions to participate in the celebrations.

The official programme lists the evening rallies at the Accra Sports Stadium throughout the three-day event.

Venue change did not stop preparations

The daytime programme was originally planned for Independence Square, but organisers subsequently moved it to the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.

According to the Ghana News Agency, Rev. Wengam explained that the change followed technical challenges and that the Grand Arena offered a more suitable environment for the sessions.

The evening rallies remain scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium.

The adjustment required organisers and participating institutions to coordinate arrangements for delegates, event staff and visitors.

Despite the change, the congress proceeded with its planned opening on Wednesday, with international church leaders gathering in Accra for the three-day programme.

Economic opportunities for Ghanaian businesses

The congress is also expected to generate economic activity for businesses serving visitors and conference participants.

Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour guides, retailers and other service providers are among the sectors that could benefit from the arrival of international delegates.

Rev. Wengam has previously said the event could strengthen Ghana’s international profile and create opportunities for tourism and investment.

Delegates visiting from overseas may also use their time in Ghana to explore historical and cultural attractions, including Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

Such visits can create additional spending opportunities for tour operators, transport companies, hospitality businesses and local vendors.

However, the overall economic impact will depend on visitor spending, the length of delegates’ stays and how much of the resulting revenue remains within local businesses.

For Ghana, the congress presents an opportunity to connect religious tourism with the wider visitor economy while showcasing the country’s cultural heritage and hospitality.

What the congress means for Ghanaian-Canadians

For Ghanaians living in Canada, the gathering provides an opportunity to follow an important international event taking place in their home country.

Assemblies of God congregations operate across Canada, including in communities where Ghanaian immigrants have established churches and maintained strong links with family members and religious institutions in Ghana.

The congress may therefore be of particular interest to Ghanaian-Canadian families whose relatives, pastors or church leaders are participating in the gathering.

It also provides an opportunity for the diaspora to learn more about Ghana’s role in international religious networks and the country’s capacity to host major global events.

Members of the Ghanaian-Canadian community who wish to follow the programme can consult the official World Assemblies of God Congress website for the schedule and available event updates.

The congress website is available at https://2026agworldcongress.org/.

A global gathering with a message beyond the church

The World Assemblies of God Fellowship Congress brings together participants from different countries around a shared religious mission, but its significance extends into international engagement, tourism and community development.

The gathering offers Ghana an opportunity to strengthen its connections with global religious institutions while creating a platform for discussions on leadership, social responsibility and mission work.

President Mahama’s opening address also underscored a message relevant beyond the Christian community: religious institutions have a role to play in encouraging peace, respecting differences and supporting vulnerable people.

As the congress continues through Friday, October 16, attention will remain on the discussions among international church leaders, the public revival rallies and the broader experience of hosting a global gathering in Accra.

For Ghana and its diaspora, the event is both a milestone in the history of the Assemblies of God movement and an opportunity to highlight the country’s place in a growing international network of faith, service and fellowship.