President John Dramani Mahama has hosted the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Reverend Sarah Mullally, at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, July 27, 2026, in a historic visit marking her first trip to Africa since becoming the first woman to hold the office in the Church’s nearly 1,400-year history. The courtesy call opened her 10-day tour of the Church of the Province of West Africa.
Most Reverend Mullally, accompanied by her husband Mr Eamonn Mullally, travelled to Ghana at the invitation of the Primate of West Africa, Archbishop Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith. The visit represents a significant moment for the Anglican Communion, given the historic nature of her appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.
She was accompanied to the Presidency by a high-profile delegation of Anglican Bishops in Ghana, alongside British High Commissioner to Ghana Dr Christian Rogg, reflecting the diplomatic weight attached to the visit.
Mahama Congratulates Mullally on Historic Appointment
During the meeting, President Mahama offered his congratulations to Archbishop Mullally, describing her appointment as a landmark moment within the Church’s history.
“Your appointment is historic as you are the first woman to occupy the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury in its approximately 1,400 years,” the President said, describing the milestone as a powerful affirmation of the contribution women continue to make to spiritual, professional and public leadership.
President Mahama reflected on the Anglican Church’s longstanding presence in Ghana, tracing its influence back to the early missionaries who established themselves in Cape Coast. He specifically referenced Philip Quaque, who was sent to England in the mid-1700s to study before returning to help establish schools in Ghana.
Building on this historical connection, the President spoke to the broader contributions the Church continues to make within Ghanaian society.
“We deeply value the Church’s enduring commitment to promoting peace, justice, compassion and human dignity. We also recognize and commend the contributions of the Church in education, healthcare, social services and community development”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Shared Values Between Government and Faith-Based Institutions
President Mahama highlighted the alignment between government priorities and the values upheld by the Anglican Church and other faith-based organisations, pointing to service to humanity, protection of the vulnerable, peaceful coexistence, good governance, integrity and accountability as common ground between the two institutions.
He connected this shared value system to the government’s own development agenda, outlining specific areas of ongoing investment. “Our government remains committed to restoring economic stability while ensuring that development and prosperity reach every single Ghanaian. We’re investing in healthcare, education, youth employment and social protection,” he said.
President Mahama noted that Archbishop Mullally’s visit further deepens Ghana’s longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom, drawing a connection to his own recent diplomatic engagement with British royalty. “And I had the honor only recently to be received by King Charles, and it was an honor to meet with him,” he said.
Pilgrim Hostel Groundbreaking Among Visit Highlights
Speaking during the courtesy call, Archbishop Mullally identified the groundbreaking ceremony for a new pilgrim hostel as one of the central highlights of her time in Ghana.
The project, to be known as the Church of Ghana’s Heritage Anglican Culture Village and Resorts initiative, is designed to tell the story of the transatlantic slave trade while supporting spiritual healing and cultural rediscovery for members of the African diaspora.
This project reflects a growing effort within the Anglican Church to engage directly with historical narratives connected to the slave trade, positioning Ghana’s Cape Coast region, long recognised for its historical significance in that trade, as a site for reflection, healing and cultural reconnection.
Archbishop Mullally also shared details about the scale of the Anglican Communion, noting that it ranks among the largest church communions in the world, with 42 provinces spread across 164 countries globally.
This global reach underscores the significance of her visit to Ghana as part of a broader engagement with the Church of the Province of West Africa during her 10-day tour.
A Visit With Historical and Diplomatic Weight
The courtesy call between President Mahama and Archbishop Mullally carries both historical and diplomatic significance, bridging centuries of Anglican missionary history in Ghana with contemporary discussions on shared values, development priorities and international relations.
As Mullally continues her tour across the Church of the Province of West Africa, her engagement with Ghana’s political leadership adds a notable chapter to the country’s long-standing relationship with the Anglican Church, an institution whose roots in Ghana trace back nearly three centuries to the early missionary work carried out in Cape Coast.
With the pilgrim hostel groundbreaking ceremony still ahead during her visit, attention will likely turn to how this new heritage initiative unfolds, particularly given its stated aim of fostering spiritual healing and cultural rediscovery tied to one of the most painful chapters in the history connecting Ghana, the United Kingdom and the wider African diaspora.
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