The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, says President John Dramani Mahama was the first member of the church globally to become a Head of State.Ghanaian Opinion Articles
He said the global denomination recognised Mr Mahama’s achievement by honouring him during its centenary celebrations in the United States in 2016.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, October 9, 2026, Rev. Wengam confirmed that President Mahama was a member of the church and had made history by becoming the first of its members to attain the presidency.
“President Mahama is our member,” he said.
Asked whether Mr Mahama was the first Assemblies of God member to become president of a country, Rev. Wengam replied: “Yes, in our history.”
“He was honoured for being the first member globally to become president, and he is a guest of honour,” he added.
Rev. Wengam said President Mahama was the only sitting president who belonged to the denomination at the time of the milestone in 2014, before being invited to the church’s centenary celebration two years later.
He also cited former Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera as another prominent member of the denomination, describing him as the second Assemblies of God member and the first pastor from the church to become president of a country.
According to Rev. Wengam, Mr Chakwera resigned as the church’s General Superintendent in Malawi before entering politics, in keeping with the denomination’s position against holding both leadership roles simultaneously.
The comments come ahead of the 2026 World Assemblies of God Congress, scheduled to take place in Ghana from October 14 to 16 to mark 115 years of the global church movement.
