On Friday, October 9, 2026, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, told the Citi Breakfast Show that President John Dramani Mahama was the first member of the church worldwide to become a head of state.
Wengam said the denomination recognised Mahama’s achievement by honouring him during its centenary celebrations in the United States in 2016, where he was a guest of honour.
“President Mahama is our member,” the Rev. stated. “Yes, in our history, he was the first Assemblies of God member to become president of a country.”
He added that Mahama was the only sitting president who belonged to the denomination at the time of the 2014 milestone, before being invited to the centenary two years later.
Wengam 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 the Rev., Chakwera resigned as the church’s General Superintendent in Malawi before entering politics, in line with the denomination’s stance 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.
Observers will watch how the congress highlights the growing political influence of the Assemblies of God and its members across Africa.
