CHAG Launches Golden Jubilee

The Dignitaries at the launch

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has launched its Golden Jubilee Anniversary, amidst calls for all stakeholders to uphold the Church-State partnership and strengthen growth and development of Ghana’s health sector.

Most Rev. Philip Naameh, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference who made the call, enumerated some challenges CHAG facilities were facing, and asked Government and Ghanaians to take a critical look at the financial sustainability of CHAG health services in the interest and viability of Ghana Health System.

In its 50-year existence, Archbishop Naameh, noted that CHAG has facilitated equitable access to health care, by the poor, needy, marginalized, neglected and vulnerable segments of the society.         

Touching on the theme for the jubilee: “50 years of Christian Health Service Delivery; improving and sustaining innovations,” the Archbishop, who doubles as the Archbishop of Tamale, stated that through the modest contributions of CHAG, many lives and livelihoods have been restored.

He said CHAG as the second largest provider of Health Service in Ghana, with about 30-35% share of health service output, pioneered and piloted 40 Community Based Insurance Schemes, in the 1990s that culminated into Ghana’s National Health Scheme in 2004.  

“In crisis situations, we serve as buffers and resilience to the health system; our non-strike tradition under all circumstances has immeasurably supported and strengthened our county’s health system against shocks and perineal challenges” he stated.

Archbishop Naameh paid glowing tributes to the owners of CHAG, the Government for their collaboration over the years and the missionaries for their invaluable role, as well as commended all CHAG frontline staff for their dedication and commitment. He also applauded the efforts of the development partners and the stakeholders for their support.

He however challenged the CHAG staff to reflect on the mission to serve humanity with dedication and fidelity, in order to sustain the delivery of quality health care to all. 

Dame Dr. Mrs. Agatha Akua Bonney, Chairperson of CHAG Board, who chaired the function remarked that the occasion was a historic one which celebrates quality Christian health delivery to Ghanaians and others in neighbouring countries.

Acknowledging the fruits of collaborative support, sacrifices of people, who contributed in CHAG’s milestone, she noted that the association should in the next 50 years be dynamic and poise for action and innovation.

She noted that CHAG must seek to reposition herself to be relevant in the healing ministry and in anchoring the hopes of health seekers and all stakeholders to access improved and sustainable quality, accessible and affordable health care.

Archbishop Philip Naameh being assisted to cut the tape

The Executive Director of CHAG, Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, who recounted that the Association was formed in 1967 as a formal collaborative network of the Christian Missionaries in Health care.

“Today, through a network of 302 Health Facilities and Health Training Institutions, CHAG continues to serve as a reliable partner in Ghana’s health sector.”

Mr. Yeboah commended the Church leaders and founding fathers for forging a Christian Health Service dedicated to promoting ethical healthcare and holistic formation of health workers. He thanked Government and all stakeholders, including the Board members for their diverse contribution to CHAG’s growth and development.

He announced that the Golden Jubilee celebrations, which would be climaxed early November 2017 would take place across, districts and various communities of Ghana.

CHAG Golden Jubilee House

In a solidarity message Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, General Secretary of Christian Council of Ghana, entreated CHAG not to limit the celebration to the office based on or a religious entertainment but must involve the Church and Ghanaians, while extolling the achievement of CHAG.

Faced with dwindling donor funds and other financial constraints, Dr. Opuni-Frimpong charged Ghanaian Christians to be prepared to support the sustenance and development of the Christian Health service in Ghana.

He tasked CHAG facilities to be uphold their unique Christian identity, and strengthen quality assurance in the quality delivery healthcare.

Among dignitaries’ present was Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Bishop of Ho and the Episcopal Chairman for Health who together with others unveiled the Golden Jubilee anniversary cloth.

As part of the Anniversary, the newly refurbished Golden Jubilee building at the Secretariat was commissioned by Archbishop Naameh and the dignitaries at the launch.

Some dignitaries displaying the anniversary cloth

Old Toms’ honour Fr. Batsa

Members of the 2002-year group of the St. Thomas Aquinas Old Students (Old Toms), have recently honoured Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Kofi Batsa, at a thanksgiving Mass at the St. John the Evangelist Church, Adentan in the Accra Archdiocese.

Fr. Batsa at the reception

At the Mass, presided over by Fr. Batsa, a former Headmaster of the St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School at Cantonments, Accra, the Old Toms presented citation, cassock and vestment for their former headmaster.

Mr. Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah, the School Prefect at the time, presented a citation of behalf of the group to their headmaster, and extolled the dedication and commitment of Fr. Batsa who imparted positively in their lives, and prepared them to take up roles in serving mother Ghana and several organisations in other countries.

Mr. Martin Akowah, President of the year group, explaining the rationale behind the programme, noted that it was important to celebrate their headmaster who gave them quality formation between 2000 and 2002 and for instilling in them lasting values.

He stated that the group members decided to say thank you to Fr. Batsa, while he was still alive, and not wait till he passes on to celebrate his deeds, as was the case of their two former assistant headmasters. He also entreated the old students to support the join forces with the Old Toms to give back to the School.

The homeliest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Appiasi, a former student of Fr. Batsa at the Pope John Secondary School at Koforidua, entreated Christians to reflect daily on who Jesus Christ was to them and live his values.

The Old Toms who actively participated at the Mass also presented offertory gifts, and had lunch with Fr. Batsa, the concelebrant as well as some faithful of the Church.

During the lunch, Mr. Akowah presented a portrait painting of the celebrant, as well as a tablet and an undisclosed amount to Fr Batsa.

The Old Toms cheering Fr Batsa

An overwhelmed Fr. Batsa thanked the students for the honour done him, and commended the organisers for their efforts in honoring him. He recounted fond memories of his 18-year stay at the school, urging them to uphold the values they learned and keep up the good works.

At the reception was Rev. Fr. John Benyah Mensah, the Parish Priest of the St. John the Evangelist Church, who is also an alumnus of the St. Thomas Aquinas School, who thanked the organisers in honouring  Fr. Batsa.  

Fr. Batsa had served his due to the Church and mother Ghana through his long dedicated to the formation of many Ghanaians as a teacher at the Pope John Secondary School, Koforidua; Achimota Secondary School, St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary, Cantoments among others.

Some of the old students recounted the discipline he instilled in them and the value of being truthful and honest at all times and in all things, which they agreed has helped them in their various professional endeavours.