ACCRA, Ghana — As the Accra Ghana Temple open house comes to an end on Dec. 20, the Ghanaian saints are excited to see the number of important opinion makers who have made it a point to take time to tour the temple. In addition to Ghana's President John A. Kufour and Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, a high number of other top governmental officials, tribal chiefs, religious leaders, business executives, educators, ambassadors and many others made time in their busy schedules to see the temple. Many members and others have come to enjoy the spirit of the temple.

Photo by Elder Michael Kirkpatrick

Visitors, including members from outlying districts, tour temple in large numbers. Among them were tribal chiefs, religious leaders, business executives, educators and ambassadors. By Dec. 17, 17,398 had visited the new temple in West Africa.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 17, a total of 17,398 had come to see the new temple. Local leaders hoped to see up to 25,000 by the end of the open house.

Patience Aniteye of the school of nursing at the University of Ghana said: "After the tour, I felt I had visited a holy place. The temple was exceptionally beautiful and really depicts the beauty of Christ. The place was tranquil, serene, very neat and beyond description. It was worth visiting. God bless you all."

Her comments are indicative of what many people said after being inside the temple.

There were remarks made about the beauty of the temple and the quality of the workmanship. And some commented on the spiritual impact. Winifred Armah, who is not a member of the Church, said: "The temple depicts heaven here on earth. There's the presence of some kind of holiness, indescribable within. It's a beautiful feeling."

John Kwabena Aidoo, added: "The temple depicts real Godly union. I felt I was by the side of Christ during the tour."

The last day the new missionaries were at the West African Missionary Training Center, they were able to come as a group to tour the new temple. They felt a strong spirit at the temple and are looking forward to being endowed soon.

Throughout the course of the open house, hundreds of members came to visit the temple from outlying stakes and districts. For example, Bishop Phillip Xaxagbe of the Dansoman Ward, Lartebiokorshie Ghana Stake, brought a group of more than 140 members. The Swedru District brought five bus loads of the faithful members.The Assin Foso District came on buses as a group of more than 600 traveling five hours to tour the new temple. As the faith in the temple grows among their members the priesthood leaders feel the growth of their members' testimonies.

Photo by Elder Michael Kirkpatrick

Members from distant branches traveled up to five hours to visit new Accra Ghana Temple.