‘Make Judicious use of Oil Revenue’- FBOs demand

The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Most Rev. Philip Naameh, recently joined leaders of major Faith Based Organisations in the country to advocate for the proper investment and utilization of the oil revenues to ensure quality development in Ghana.

In the face of the volatility of oil prices in the international market, the groups suggested the adoption of strategic investment measures of oil revenues generated, when oil prices on the market were good, and make prudent use of the revenues.

Participants also called for transparency in the administration of oil revenues as well as empowering the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) to prosecute those defaulting in the proper use of the oil funds.

These suggestions were made during a Two-Day Engagement with Faith Based Groups (Christians and Muslims) and Roundtable Discussion on Oil Revenue Governance and Management at Abokobi in Accra.

The over 60 participants were drawn from the Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI), and National Catholic Secretariat (NCS). Other participants at the programme, were representatives of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission (AMM), Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES), Faith in Ghana Platform, Caritas Ghana, as well as representative from the Ministries of Education, Roads and Highways, the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana National Gas Company, the Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana.

Fr.  Ebo Blay interacting with Archbishop Naameh &
Bishop Angkyier 

The President of GCBC and Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, Bishop of Damongo, as well as other representative of the Muslim groups added their voices to the call to ensure that Ghana’s interest was served first in the administration of the oil revenue as well as ensure utilization of the revenues always inures to the benefit of the common good.  

Speakers at the two-day programme organised by PIAC in partnership with GOGIG and Caritas Ghana, included Mr. Samuel Bakoe, Resource Governance Consultant, GOGIG, and Mr. Mark Agyemang, and Mr. Denis Gyeyir both of PIAC Secretariat, as well as Dr. Ismael Ackah, Ministry of Planning.

The participants advised Government against the tendency of spreading the oil resources on many projects, and entreated the powers that be to use oil resources to support the even development of other sectors of the economy.

In support of this argument, Mr. Kwame Jantuah, Vice Chairman of PIAC and Mr. Samuel Bekoe, Consultant, GOGIG, noted the need to equally develop other sectors of the economy that contributes over 60 percent to GDP, in order to avoid contracting the ‘Dutch Disease’ in the country. Since oil resources is exhaustible, it was necessary to invest prudently to support the growth of other sectors, they reasoned.  

In this regard, Mr. Jantuah urged Government not to dissipate oil revenue on many ventures and advocated for cautious investment of the revenues in instruments with higher returns, since the oil resources would be depleted in some years to come.

Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana and Member of PIAC, who moderated the programme, noted that the objective for the two-day meeting was to engage and inform participants on how the Government of Ghana managed its petroleum revenues in 2016 and other issues emanating from the PIAC 2016 report.

He said in recognition of the outreach potential of the Faith Groups in the country, the engagement sought to build their capacity to promote policy education and good governance, as well as provide a platform to debate the management of petroleum revenue in Ghana.

Participants at the two-day meeting

“The exercise also aims at helping Faith Groups to use their outreach potential to demand better governance of oil revenues in the country and further educate their constituents” he noted.      

There were presentations on the Petroleum Resource Management Policy, Practice and Lessons; The Petroleum Exploration and Production Act (Act 919); Highlights of PIAC’s 2016 Annual Report; VRA’s Indebtedness to Ghana National Gas Company and ABFA Utilization and its impacts on Citizens.

The Faith based groups called for the empowerment of PIAC to prosecute people defaulting in the judicious use of oil funds committed to projects in the country.

Operation Walk ends second surgeries

Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa (M) with dignitaries

Scores of patients have benefited from operation and corrective surgeries offered by a team of voluntary medics with the Operation Walk Syracuse, New York, United States of America, and their Ghanaian counterparts at the St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase, Koforidua.

The weeklong programme, the second of its kind by the group and in partnership with the Gentle Giants, importers of Vita Milk and the Child Health Malnutrition Foundation, and the St. Joseph Hospital, was to offer relief to selected patients throughout the country, suffering from knee and hip disorders.

In all, 65 procedures were performed on a total of 60 patient beneficiaries, most of whom are now able to walk with little or no support.

Dr. Kimberley Murray, leader of the 43-member team of Operation Walk, commended the hospital staff, the Koforidua Catholic Health Service and the Child Malnutrition Foundation as well as the all stakeholders for their various roles that ensured the success of the operation.

She expressed the hope of continuity and strengthening of partnership to offer more support many more patients in future.

Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa, Chairman of the Board of the Child Health Malnutrition Foundation, said to ensure fair regional representation of beneficiaries, the team in conjunction with local partners screened, accessed and selected the cases prior to their arrival.

In the process, hundreds of Ghanaians from all the 10 regions, suffering from hip and knee disorders were screened, with those in need of the surgeries selected.

The former Director General of the Ghana Health Service noted that the cost of hip and knee surgeries was over GH₵ 25,000, but free under the programme, noted that patients were charged an agreed fee of GH₵ 2,000 to help offset of the minor cost that the St. Joseph Facilities, might incur since the facility could not could not conduct elective surgeries due to the programme.

Sharing the testimonies of some beneficiaries, Prof Agyemang-Badu, said it was encouraging hearing the impact the programme was making in the lives of those who practically had no hope of walking again, being able to walk now with the corrective surgeries at highly subsidized cost.

Prof Agyemang-Badu commenting on allegation leveled against the Hospital for extorting monies from the patients in the first edition of programme, last year debunked the accusation and noted that the findings of an independent Committee set up by the Ministry of Health to look into the allegation had exonerated the Hospital from any wrong doing.

Mr. Victus K. Kpesese, Executive Secretary of Koforidua Catholic Health Service, thanked the team of volunteer medics for their efforts to give relief to patients in Ghana, and expressed the hope that the programme would be sustained into the future.

He expressed optimism that the programme could be extended to at least twice a year to enable the team ample time to perform more surgeries and help ease the pain and suffering of many patients.

Similarly, Mr. Valentine Bruku, Administrator of the St. Joseph Hospital, voiced his gratitude to the team for sparing their time to embark on the project at the hospital for the second time and also commended the Gentle Giants and Child Health Nutrition Foundation for conceiving the laudable idea to help relieve the pains of patients in the country.

The team which had since left, also organised a training symposium for some staff of the Hospital to update and sharpen their skills.

Earlier, the team called on Rev. Msgr. Francis Tswum-Baarimah, Vicar General of the Koforidua Diocese. 

Integral Dev’t key to Church’s mission

The Participants at the Workshop

The Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, has underscored the critical role of integral development of the human person in the Church’s mission.

“As a Church we do not only hold the Bible and preach, but we also look at the integral development of the human person for their salvation” he noted, stressing the need for all stakeholders to work together to make the integral development of the human person a sustainable venture.

He made these remarks recently during a two-day brainstorming workshop at the Samaritan Villa in Kumasi, which brought together stakeholders including the Diocesan Development Officers (DDOs), representing the various Dioceses in Ghana, as well as representative of Caritas Ghana, the Justice and Peace Commissions and the Social Economic Department at the NCS.

The Christian Mothers Association, and representatives of Superior Mothers and the Federation of Muslim Women Association, Ghana (FOMWAG) participated in the deliberation to formulate the new Medium Term Programme Critical Pathways.  

The thematic sectors highlighted in the process of formulating the Medium Term Programme Critical Pathways (MTPCP II), successor to the MTPCP I: 2012-2016, includes education, socio-economic, health, environmental preservation, and sustainable livelihoods.

MTPCP II among other things aims at consolidating the gains made in the previous plans of Caritas Ghana, as well as ensure a collective sense of ownership of projects, which could enhance the implementation of the new programme.

Fr. Anondee commended the participants for making time to attend the workshop, adding that the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference was interested in working together with stakeholders to promote the attainment of inclusive development for everyone.

The Secretary General pledged working on the concerns raised on the need to ensure adequate funding and ownership of MTPCP II, as well as report to the Bishops’ Conference for appropriate action to be taken.

In assuring participants of the Conference’s support, Fr. Anondee also observed that the “planning exercise is the beginning of greater things to happen.” 

According to Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of Department of Human Development/ Caritas Ghana, the workshop which reviewed the strides of the previous medium term plans, sought new direction in effecting the Church’s charity work in coming years.

The Secretary General addressing the particiants

He said the workshop would be guided by the Pope’s call for “no one be left behind” in the mandate of the Church’s charity work, and the global context of Sustainable Development Goals in their deliberation and formulation of the new Medium Term programme.

While thanking the Secretary General for attending the meeting, he expressed optimism that the participatory nature of the planning process would help bring out suggestions that would contribute in shaping a more inclusive MTPCP II.

Participants keenly took interest in the planning process facilitated by Mr. Chris Bakaweri and Mr. Vitus Adaboo Azeem, both Consultants of the MTPCP II.

Among some of the strategic objectives under the MTPCP II Strategy Framework, were to provide support for good Governance, Democracy and Rule of Law; to improve livelihoods incomes and climate resilience for the poor; to promote effective delivery of social services and youth self-employment and empowerment.

Other strategic areas comprised strengthening emergency and crisis response, and the promotion of Justice and Peace among people and in our society.   

Similarly, Mr Azeem, led participants through the rudiments of advocacy plaining process, and the steps of executing the advocacy plan, in order to make the attainment of the strategic themes of MTPCP II achievable.

Participants who largely agreed on ensuring continuity of the programme strongly touched on the need to ensure sustainable means of resource mobilization for the success and continuity of the Church’s charity work in Ghana.

The Medium Term Programme Critical Pathways is a carefully planned programme that provide the broad framework towards achieving the objective to ensure integral human development.

It also seeks to be a blueprint of working together internally, and a basis for networking and external engagement with partners, stakeholders, as well as serve as a guide for resource mobilization for the execution of projects.

The MTPCP II is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre commissioned

The Spirituality Centre

Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, has commissioned the Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre at Tuba, as a place to help deepen the faith and spiritual needs of the faithful in the Archdiocese and beyond.

The Commissioning which coincided with the 10^th Anniversary of the Divine Word Catholic Church at Tuba in the Archdiocese of Accra.

The Archbishop who preceded over the thanksgiving Mass, charged Christians to act with love and be prayerful.

He charged Christians not to follow the world, but lead worthy lives, since God would hold us responsible.

The Archbishop blessing the Centre

The Archbishop reechoed Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Romans (Rom.13:8-10), “Owe nothing to anyone, excerpt love for one another…,” urging Christians to do the right things out of love.

“When correcting something or somebody, do it out of love” he stressed.

In urging husbands and wives to pray together, he charged families, and workers to also pray together before the start of day or work, since it helps us stay united. “We Christians must constantly watch and pray,” he added.

The Archbishop commenting on the unhealthy polarization of everything in the country and the tagging of people along political party line in every national discourse was unwholesome.

After 60 years of independence, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle urged Ghanaians to rather work together to advance the growth of the country.

He likened the task of nation building to a man walking, who takes one step after the other, entreating all to help in the forward march of Ghana, through prayer to arouse a greater love for country at all times.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle urged Ghanaians particularly Christians to endeavour to do the right things to ensure accelerated growth and development.

The Archbishop who blessed the Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre (AJSC) at the upper part of the compound which houses the Divine Word Church and the Rectory, commended the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) for starting the Centre and the Community.

He thanked Very Rev. Fr. John Straathof, SVD, a concelebrant at the Mass who started the project and all the pioneers and collaborators for their various contributions to the growth of the Church over the past decade.

Very Rev. Fr. George Angmor, SVD, Provincial Superior of the SVD in Ghana, Liberia, recounted the beginnings of Spirituality Centre and Divine Word Catholic Community, through the instrumentality of the Fr. Straathof, then Parish Priest of St. Margret Mary Parish at Dansoman.

With the support of the Mr. Stephen Fianu the SVD’s in 2006 acquired a piece of land at Tuba and secured it with a low wall. After this move, the Catholic Community started gathering on the land for worship, among them were Mr. Fianu and family, Mrs Grace Addai, Mr Sabastian Parku and family, Mr Alabi and family Mr. Chris Feruta and family as well as Mrs Margret Atieku, and others.

Inspired by their community’s commitment then SVD Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel E. Kumordji, SVD, (now Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese) said the first holy Mass on Accession Sunday, May 20, 2007.

The Church witnessed its first Baptism in 2009 and in April that year had its first confirmation during the pastoral visit of the Archbishop.

In 2010, Rev. Fr. Joseph Mezur, SVD was appointed the Director to the Spirituality Centre, who was transferred was transferred to SVD mission in Liberia. He was replaced by Rev. Fr. Stephen Dogodzi,   

Rev. Fr. Stephen Dogodzi, the outgoing Priest-in-charge of the Church, in a welcome address commended the pioneers for their commitment and support in developing the Church.

He described the Church as having a serene environment that enhances meditation and spiritual growth of Catholic faithful, who he encouraged to patronize the Spirituality Centre by making time to visit the Centre in order to enrich their spiritual growth. efforts and support to make the dream come through.

Rev. Fr. Andrews Obeng who is the new Director of the Spirituality Centre, replaces Fr. Dogodzi who is now Provincial Secretary of the SVD.

As part of the anniversary, 13 members of the Community including Fr. Straathof were awarded for their various roles in supporting the growth of the Church.