Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby beats African drums during a Eucharist Service at Christ Church Legon in Accra to mark the Feb. 12 official opening of the ACC-18 meeting in Ghana. Photo: Neil Turner/Anglican Communion

[Anglican Communion News Service] Those attending the opening Eucharist of the 18th Anglican Consultative Council underway in Accra, Ghana, were treated to the sound of West African drums as they entered the church. The music during the rest of the service included many traditional hymns sung accompanied by organ and other instruments and the choir shared an exciting variety of hymns sung in an African style during the offertory.

The celebrant of the liturgy was Archbishop Paul Kwong, the chair of the ACC. The preacher was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The celebration took place at Christ Church, Legon within the University of Ghana in Accra. The congregation included the ACC-18 delegates, members of authorized Anglican networks and official Commissions, staff and ecumenical guest from around the Anglican Communion, as well as laity clergy, and bishops of the province of West Africa. The Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady were also in attendance, with the president bringing greetings on behalf of the people of Ghana.

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