Capital:
Porto-Novo
Population:
8,078,314
Languages:
French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Religion:
Several religions are practiced in Benin. Animism (belief in a soul) is widespread (50%), and its practices vary from one ethnic group to the other. Arab merchants introduced Islam in the north and among the Yoruba. European missionaries brought Christianity to the south and central areas of Benin. Muslims account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%. Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice animistic traditions. It is believed that voodoo originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.
Life Expectancy:
53 years
GDP per-capita:
1,100
Of Interest:
Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent medieval West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The majority of Benin's inhabitants live in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 53 years. About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country. Benin's economy is chiefly based on agriculture. Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts.
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
La Voix de Dieu / Voice of God Recordings - Cotonou, Bénin
Office Manager:
Marcellin Avihoué
Countries or Provinces Served:
Ouémé-Atlantique-Littoral-Mono-Zou-Borgou
Office Staff - 2 Employees: Marcellin Avihoué; Manager Célestin Tognon; Librarian Committee: BAMBELOU Norbert SOSSA ThomasNKAYA EmmanuelBOTOR RobertSpecial Information:
In the Cotonou office you can find a reading room that is also used to listen to the tapes, the manager's office, a reception desk, a conference hall, a kitchen, a shower, a showroom for the books, and a lending library. This office serves more than 2,500 believers.
Short Testimony of Office Manager:
When Brother Avihoué was young, he wanted to be a soccer player, but the Lord took that desire away when he was in a severe accident during an important soccer game. He was in bed for three months. After that accident, he decided to consecrate his life to God. At that time, he was in the denomination of the Cherubims and Seraphims, where he had been since his birth. Then he went in the church called "Universal Evangelistic Association," searching for the truth. He couldn't satisfy his thirst with this. One day, as he was going back home after church, he met a brother named Soulé Kolade who talked to him about the Message of William Marrion Branham. It was at the end of November 1987, and he gave him the French book, "The Rising Of The Sun." After reading the book, he says, "I really became a fool for Christ." He was baptized on December 5, 1987. That's how he came into the Message. He started to work as the manager for VGR on Saturday, December 24, 1988.
Short History of Office:
At the beginning, the office was in Brother Soulé Kolade's own bedroom. All the shipments were stocked in his house, and they were preparing the distribution to the churches from there. On April 7, 2004, VGR rented an office, and today that office serves all areas of Benin.