Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 2011, a small group of students in Accra gathered around a single computer as BYU–Pathway began taking root in Ghana and was the first Pathway cohort outside of the United States. Today, a new Global Education Center (GEC) in Accra is under construction and will house more than 100 computers — a stark contrast that illustrates a dramatic expansion of Church education across West Africa.
During a visit in late August 2026 to Ghana and Sierra Leone, countries in the Church’s Africa West Area, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the upcoming GEC while also visiting with members, leaders, students and educators.
“These students are capable. They can do amazing things. They just need the opportunity,” Elder Gilbert said. “President Brian K. Ashton at BYU–Pathway often says talent around the world is equally distributed, but opportunities are not. And BYU–Pathway is infusing opportunities into the lives of these students.”
GECs provide students with technology, study space and career-development resources that support Church educational programs.
The growth in Church education in West Africa has been significant. What began with a small group of students in Ghana has spread throughout the region. In 2025, BYU–Pathway served more than 27,000 students in the Africa West Area, with enrollment increasing 22% between August 2025 and August 2026. Nigeria enrolled just over 20,000 students — surpassing the United States as the country with the most students — and Ghana having nearly 5,000 and Sierra Leone more than 1,300.
In 2011, a small group of students in Accra gathered around a single computer as BYU–Pathway began taking root in Ghana and was the first Pathway cohort outside of the United States. Today, a new Global Education Center (GEC) in Accra is under construction and will house more than 100 computers — a stark contrast that illustrates a dramatic expansion of Church education across West Africa.
During a visit in late August 2026 to Ghana and Sierra Leone, countries in the Church’s Africa West Area, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the upcoming GEC while also visiting with members, leaders, students and educators.
“These students are capable. They can do amazing things. They just need the opportunity,” Elder Gilbert said. “President Brian K. Ashton at BYU–Pathway often says talent around the world is equally distributed, but opportunities are not. And BYU–Pathway is infusing opportunities into the lives of these students.”
GECs provide students with technology, study space and career-development resources that support Church educational programs.
The growth in Church education in West Africa has been significant. What began with a small group of students in Ghana has spread throughout the region. In 2025, BYU–Pathway served more than 27,000 students in the Africa West Area, with enrollment increasing 22% between August 2025 and August 2026. Nigeria enrolled just over 20,000 students — surpassing the United States as the country with the most students — and Ghana having nearly 5,000 and Sierra Leone more than 1,300.
