A Ghanaian missionary is serving in Madison for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

“Elder Andoh-Kesson is a remarkable young man with a great sense of humor. Ghanaians are known as some of the happiest people in the world,” Emily Hendrickson said. She serves as the Madison Stake’s public affairs representative.

Taking a break from college, Andoh-Kesson is serving a two-year mission in Alabama. One year before his mission, he moved to America to attend LDS Business College in Salt Lake City.

“At school, Elder Andoh-Kesson received an answer to his prayer about (serving) a mission and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Hendrickson said.

Andoh-Kesson and his family grew up in Cape Coast in the Fante tribe.

In 1964 before the Church was established in West Africa, Joseph ‘Billy’ Johnson obtained and strongly believed The Book of Mormon, began to teach others and unofficially organized congregations. Andoh-Kesson’s grandmother, Lily Andoh-Kesson, was among people that Johnson taught.

In 1978, members of the Church came to Ghana and baptized Johnson, Lily Andoh-Kesson and many others (2012 Church Almanac. “Deseret News”).

In Madison, Elder Andoh-Kesson is busy in “blessing and teaching families, doing service and helping people come closer to Jesus Christ. He spends his time just like most LDS missionaries. You often see him on a bike, seeking those who are searching for happiness in this life and in the life to come,” Hendrickson said.

For Andoh-Kesson, his greatest joy is to see people “being blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ,” she said.

Upon returning to Ghana, Andoh-Kesson hopes his mother will learn to cook his favorite American food — brownies.

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints offers services at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays at 1297 Slaughter Road.

Andoh-Kesson and his companions cover the three Madison wards. Bishops Nichols, Stevens and Bagley serve as congregational leaders of their respective wards.

For more information, call Andoh-Kesson at 256-525-9488 or visit mormon.org.