SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The government of Ghana has given permission for the Mormon Church to resume activities in the African nation, ending a 1 1/2-year ban on missionary work and public meetings, the church said Friday.

The decision was announced in an official government broadcast which expressed satisfaction that the 7.3-million member church teaches faithful to honor the flag and promotes racial harmony, said church spokesman Bruce L. Olsen.

The Ghanian government stopped all proselytizing activities and public meetings of the church on June 14, 1989, although the country's roughly 8,900 members were permitted to conduct worship services in their homes.

"We are grateful for the faithful members who conducted themselves honorably and patiently during these months while questions concerning the church and its work in Ghana were discussed and resolved to the satisfaction of government officials and the church," Olsen said.

During the ban, church affairs were administered by Dr. Emmanuel Kissi, a Ghanian physician who served as interim mission president.

Olsen said local church leadership now will be reconstituted and church facilities that were closed during the ban will be inspected, cleaned, and readied for congregations.

The first sacrament meetings are expected to be held Dec. 9, and a full schedule of Sunday meetings — including the faith's Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women, Primary and Sunday School gatherings — will resume Dec. 16, Olsen said.

He said a timetable for the renewal of missionary activities also must be determined.

Word of the decision came as the church's governing First Presidency issued its annual Christmas message to members worldwide on Friday.