Historic first as Archbishop of Canterbury meets Mahama on maiden Africa visit

Archbishop Sarah Mullally met with President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra on Monday, July 27, during her first official visit to Africa. Archbishop Mullally and her husband, Mr Eamonn Mullally, began a 10-day tour of the Church of the Province of West Africa at the invitation of the Primate of West Africa, Archbishop Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith. President Mahama congratulated Archbishop Mullally on her historic appointment as the first woman to lead the Church of England in its nearly 1,400-year history, stating, "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."

Archbishop Mullally was accompanied by a high-profile delegation of Anglican bishops in Ghana and the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg. President Mahama described the milestone as "a powerful affirmation of the contribution women continue to make to spiritual, professional and public leadership." He also reflected on the Anglican Church's longstanding contribution to Ghana, recalling the work of early Anglican missionaries in Cape Coast and the role of Philip Quaque. President Mahama praised the Church's continued role in national development, stating, "We deeply value the Church's enduring commitment to promoting peace, justice, compassion and human dignity. We also recognise and commend the contributions of the Church in education, healthcare, social services and community development."