The Government of Ghana has been
advised to listen to the voice of God in the way it handles the various sectors
of the economy to bring the much needed relief to Ghanaians.
Archbishop Justice Yaw Anokye, Metropolitan of Kumasi Archdiocese. |
Most Rev. Justice Yaw Anokye, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, made these remarks when he chaired the National Launch of the 24th World Day of Sick at the St. Patrick Hospital at Maase-Offinso in the Kumasi Archdiocese.
Drawing linkages between sickness and the health of Ghana’s economy, the Archbishop stated that Ghana was not feeling too well and said we need Jesus Christ to save us.
He therefore charged government to
listen to God and do what God tell her in order to save the situation.
Archbishop Anokye said as partners in healthcare delivery with the Catholic Church contributing about 38 per cent to healthcare in the country, both the Church and the government must listen to each other to save lives.
He commended health workers for their efforts, and entreated them to listen to Jesus Christ and their superiors, urging them to be sincere in the discharge of their duties.
The Archbishop earlier in a homily at a Mass preceding the launch, urged health workers to invite Jesus into their lives, since He will help them overcome all their challenges.
He charged health workers to eschew lackadaisical attitude in their work but work with love and compassion, as well as respect the tenets of the Church in the discharge of their duties.
Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum |
Quoting from the Pope’s message, he
said “illness, above all grave illness, always places human existence in crisis
and brings with it questions that dig deep. Our first response may at times be
one of rebellion: Why has this happened to me?”
“We can feel desperate, thinking
that all is lost, that things no longer have meaning…” he added.
“In these situations, faith in God
is on the one hand tested, yet at the same time can reveal all of its positive
resources. Not because faith makes illness, pain, or the questions which they
raise, disappears, but because it offers a key by which we can discover the
deepest meaning of what we are experiencing” he noted.
Therefore the mystery of the wedding feast of Cana for the World Day of the Sick, paints an image of the Church: with Jesus at the centre, who in his mercy performs a sign; with his disciples around him. Beside Jesus and his disciples is Mary, the provident and prayerful mother.
Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum reiterated
the Pope’s call that if we can learn to obey the words of Mary, who says: “Do
whatever He tells you”, Jesus will always change the water into wine” and
intervene in our sicknesses.
In an address, Mr George Adjei, Director of the National Catholic Health Service (NCHS), renewed the pledge of the Catholic Health Service to work hard in healthcare delivery in spite of the daunting challenges including maternal and neonatal mortalities.
Mr George Adjei, Esq. |
The Director stated that with 36 Hospitals, 70 Clinics, 10 Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges and 2 (two) specialised Institution in the country, the NCHS was poised to sustain the provision of quality healthcare delivery to Ghanaians.
He thanked the Archbishop of Kumasi,
the Archdiocesan Executive Secretary for Health and the Management and Staff of
St. Patrick Hospital for hosting the 2016 National launch of the 24th
World Day of the Sick.
Mr Christian Abban Sappor |
In a welcome address, Mr. Christian
Abban Sappor, Executive Secretary for Health in the Kumasi Archdiocese noted
that sickness is an inevitable scenarios that mankind cannot avoid, thus the
existence of caregivers.
He said the theme for the celebration
was an appropriate one which calls for all care providers and care seekers to
entrust themselves to the merciful Jesus like Mary and do whatever He tells
us.
During the launch, the Hospital
commissioned a refurbished Emergency Unit and a Special Clinic to help ease the
congestion at the Outpatient Department and help in quality healthcare
provision to patients.
The Dignitaries inspecting the refurbished clinic |
Some dignitaries at the function interacting after the launch |
Present at the Launch were Most Rev. Thomas Kweku Mensah, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Chief of Maase-Offinso and his entourage, Mr. Peter Yeboah, Executive Secretary, Christian Health Association (CHAG), as well as Chaplains and Priests, and many well-wishers.
As part of ceremony Madam Elizabeth Mensah, Superintendent Enrolled Nurse; Madam Emma Pinamang, Principal Nursing Officer; and Mr. Philbert Yeltuo, Principal Pharmacy Technician were awarded for their long service at the Hospital. They were presented with double-decker fridges.
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