Ghana Gazette

Three hours later and we find ourselves at the Lartebiokorshie Ward building for what is known as the official wedding ceremony - this means that the couple have registered their marriage with the government and it is now recognized by the government - happily Ghana is one of the few countries in Africa where the Bishops of the Church are recognized by the government and can marry young couples officially. In many other countries (such as the Congo which we know well) - it costs a fair sum of money to make a wedding official as the local authorities feel it is necessary for them also to have a little party and refreshment etc.... if they are to perform a ceremony. In the picture above Sister Ansah (now Mintah) - first name Theresa is being accompanied to the chapel by her handsome and proud father and followed by her bridesmaid and sister - Rebeccah Mensah.
This is Sister Mintah in her wedding dress - the young lady beside her, Gloria Wellington was primarily in charge of the seating and ushering and generally being sure that all was going as it should. While her dress is not officially a "bridesmaid type" - it was an excellent example of Ghanaian patterns and weaving. Never got an opportunity to get any real good pictures of the couple - here is one informal one with Benjamin behind and Theresa on the floor. Just as they stepped out for pictures it started to rain and a real down pour followed that lasted for over an hour and half - we were supposed to be back at the MTC but couldn't get out to the car - when we eventually did we were pushing water up to the top of our hub cabs on a couple of the traffic circles - so for that reason (rain) we didn't get in on the formal photos. Benjamin has been a teacher (French and English) here at the MTC for about four years. He taught Theresa when she went through on her way to her mission. She has just begun as a teacher here recently. Had time permitted, they could have gone to the temple and been sealed which would have made three weddings for them in one day. Here in Africa because temple sealings are not recognized as weddings (a wedding must be public, where anyone can attend) - the church gives a couple two weeks to get to the temple to be sealed, otherwise, just as it is at home, they must wait one year. Benjamin and Theresa invited all the current class of missionaries to attend their sealing the following Wednesday, and there was a room full to see them sealed. What a great experience for us all!!!