Critical Thoughts

Take a critical look at the happenings around you.

There’s a top down disease nibbling our core values away.

It's like a big man or Centre periphery thing that is embedded in our structure.

This subtly stifle innovation at the nascent state and suffocate creativity at the grassroots.

That's our system. That's the frustrating system we run.

It's just sickening and unproductive.

This system has also successfully turned our active people into a too tolerant passive people.

We need an eminent change.

We need a mental revolution.

We need an attitudinal change.

We need a mental reawakening to topple our too quiet docile nature.

We need to say enough to the excessive official statements of vertical truths.

We need to extinguish the greed in our creed and celebrate creativity and innovative ways of doing things.

We need to whip action into our talks and stop celebrating these official nonsense and incorrectness in our political damnation.

Tell you what, this style of democracy we are practicing is not the answer to our progress.

Perhaps what we need is A RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM.

A Governance system which will empower us to be true to ourselves and live as we ought to.

It is still a journey we must relive in this age our existentiality.

KYB

Caritas Ghana kick starts E-waste project

The Caritas Ghana, the Charity wing of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), has held a roundtable meeting with partners to prepare the grounds for the implementation of the E-Waste project.

The Caritas E-Waste ‘Care for our Common Home’ project, launched in October 2017, was in response to calls by Pope Francis in his second encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and GCBC for immediate action to address electronic waste and ultimately help preserve earth.

Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary, Department of Human Development/ Caritas Ghana, explained the purpose of the meeting, to get to know the companies expressing interest to partner in the E-Waste project and agree on the next step towards a possible cooperation.

He also presented the concept note of the project to the partners, and invited them to submit proposals of interest, which will possibly lead to bilateral dialogue on building synergies on areas of value addition, as well as the contracting phase of the project.

The companies present at the meeting included, City Waste, Closing the Loop and Atlantic Phones, took turns to explain their work in relation to electronic waste management and expressed interest in partnering with Caritas on the project.   

Each of the company representative clarified the nuances and risk involved in the collection of e-waste products, especially phones, laptops, the processes and procedures involved in removing the various parts and export of other components.

The Participants at the meeting

Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), who welcomed the partners to the meeting, noted that the Project was inspired by the Pope Francis’ encyclical: Laudato Si with particular reference to the content of paragraph 21 (LS21).

The Church, he explained would continue dialoguing, with various stakeholders including the Government, Corporate organisation, among others to explore the best way of working together to address the e-waste menace in the country.

He also donated copies of the Laudato Si to the representatives of the companies and encouraged them to read in order to support efforts to save our common home

Expedite action on Education Partnership

Dignitaries with delegates 

Government has been advised to commit more resources to the running of schools in the country and expedite action on the partnership Agreement in education between the Church and the State.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, who expressed disquiet about delays in implementing the partnership agreement, asked the Government to stop paying lips service to the partnership and implement the agreement to ensure the delivery of quality education.

The Bishop, made these remarks at the just ended 38^th Annual Conference of the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI) held at the Pope John’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary, Koforidua.

The Local Ordinary who chaired the opening, commended members of ACHHI for their tireless efforts in training students, and called on stakeholders to work together to rid politics of education.

Mr. Eric Kwakye Darfour, Eastern Regional Minister, who drew a direct link with education and progress in every human endeavours, commended the Catholic Church for her role in the provision and sustaining the high standards in education.

He appealed to the Church to working together with the state to ensure mutual cooperation in meeting the needs and aspirations of the state and Church in their investment in education.

Very Rev. Fr. John Kobina Louis, of the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT), Accra, in an address on the theme: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Roles of the Stakeholders, urged all parties to work together to ensure attainment of Church’s goals in education. 

He noted that although several governments have praised the Catholic Church for her contribution towards education in Ghana, most of their policies does not promote the achievement of the Church’s educational goals.

Fr. Louis expressed hope that the Government will make good their promise to handover the management of mission schools to their respective owners, with financial support for the running of the schools.

In his address, Very Rev. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, National President of ACHHI, said the Church’s venture in education was for the integral development of the human person, which the Church was committed to.

He entreated administrators of Catholic Schools to be proactive in injecting Catholic values of discipline, respect for all and hard work in the students they were training.

He called on stakeholders to be proactive in taking over the administration of mission school in the interest of the nation and the young people, who he said were yearning for quality holistic education that prepares them for the world.

Fr. Apetorgbor who also heads the St. Cyprian Senior High School at Sawla in the Damongo Diocese, urged the administrator of Catholic Schools to encourage their students to critically think about innovative ways of tackling social issues in the country.

“The educational environment and processes in our schools should be fine-tuned to appreciate and reflect more on self-discipline, personal conduct and social responsibility, as well as promote spiritual, social and moral values,” he added.

As part of the week-long Conference, the Heads had a retreat at Nkurakan, and deliberated on pertinent issues concerning the entrenchment of Catholic values in their respective schools, as well as the development and progress of ACHHI.

PIAC honours Zan Akologo

Mr. Zan Akologo receiving the award from Ms. Aniwa

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), has honoured Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of the Department of Human Development/Caritas Ghana at the National Catholic Secretariat, for his distinguished service to the people of Ghana.

Presenting a citation on behalf of Mr. Joseph Winful, Chairman of PIAC, Marilyn Aniwa, Coordinator of PIAC, commended Mr. Akologo for his worthy contributions and dedication to the course of PIAC over the past three-years.

The citation extolled Mr. Akologo’s efforts as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for developing PIAC’s Communication Strategy, which improved visibility and PIAC’s good relations with the public.

The Executive Secretary, who represented the Christian Group on the Committee, expressed appreciation to the members for a fruitful working relation, fostered over the past three years to enhance PIAC’s work in the country.

PIAC is an independent statutory body, established under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and mandated to promote a transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum revenues in Ghana.

It is constituted by professional groups including Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Bar Association, Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Academy of Arts and Science, Think Tanks and Pressure Groups including Trade Union Congress and Traditional/ Religious Groups.

As part of its work, PIAC publishes an Annual Report on the management of petroleum revenues in the country.

Don’t discriminate against the sick

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Kofidua has urged Catholic health providers to sustain quality care provision to every patient and respect their dignity, adding that the Church’s health facilities were not-for-profit, but meant to serve the health needs of all.

The Bishop reiterated Pope Francis’ call for healthcare providers to continue serving the sick with renewed energy, at the joint Arch/Diocesan launch of the World Day of the Sick for the Accra Archdiocese, Koforidua Diocese and the Donkorkrom Vicariate at the Holy Family Nursing Training School, Nkawkaw.

He urged health professionals to serve all fairly and not discriminate against any health seeker, stressing that everyone was a child of God and needed to be accorded the greatest care.

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum, who also visited and prayed for kids at the Children’s Ward at the Holy Family Hospital, re-echoed the fact that the health profession was a vocation and a call to serve, saying, those solely seeking monetary gains were in the wrong profession.

Nana Effah Opinamang III, Obominghene, who chaired the function, commended the Church for instituting the World Day of the Sick, entreating her to sustain the event to promote efforts at bringing relief to the sick.

He entreated health practitioners to cultivate favourable relationships with their patients, show them compassion and sensitise them to live responsibly and tidy their environment to promote health.

The Chief also appealed to the Government to continue the good projects started by the previous governments in order to help the rural poor access affordable health care in their localities.

Mr. Victus Kwaku Kpesese, Executive Secretary, Koforidua Diocesan Health Service, noted that the recognition of staff at the annual function was to motivate hardworking staff and thank the awardees for their efforts in helping save lives. 

 

He also entreated managers of the various health facilities to up their effort in making their recommendation for the awards in time.

   

Dr. Isaac Adu-Poku Antwi, Medical Director of the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw, said the World Day of the Sick offers an opportunity for the healthcare providers to reflect on the sick and those suffering.

He called on health practitioners to be wary of medico legal issues that could land them in legal tangos, huge fines, imploring caregivers to be circumspect in the care they give.

Similarly, Ms Celestine Asante, Kwahu West Municipal Directress for Health, who commended the Catholic Church’s effort in health delivery, tasked health workers to go the extra mile in extending care to the sick.

Likewise, Rev. Fr. Richmond Sintim, Chaplain of the St. Joseph Hospital, Koforidua, urged care givers to respect the dignity of their patient and focus on giving them the best of care at all times.

At the function, some staff of the Emergency Unit of the Holy Family Hospital staged a sketch on how a lady trapped in a galamsey pit was resuscitated by the staff, after the ambulance brought her. The cast at the end, added their voice to calls to end galamsey in the country.    

The Bishop and Dignitaries with the awardee

Mr. Donatus Duncan Adaletey, Executive Secretary for Health in the Accra Archdiocese read a citation in honour of Mrs. Catherine Agbotame Hdzor, who was adjudged the Best Worker, Senior Category, in the Archdiocese for her long dedicated service.

An elated Mrs. Hadzor who couldn’t hide her delight, danced to the melodious tunes rendered by the Therapeutic Voices of the Holy Family Hospital.

She thanked God for the honour and expressed gratitude to management and staff of the Battor Catholic Hospital.

40-acres for Nkawkaw Nurses’ School

A Section of the College

The Holy Family Nurses’ Training College at Nkawkaw in the Koforidua Diocese has received a major boost to expand its facilities to train more Nurses to provide care to sick in the country.

This was as a result of Nana Effah Opinamang III, Obominghene’s recent donation of 40 plots of land for the relocation and expansion of the School’s facilities, near the Nkawkaw by-pass of the Accra-Kumasi highway.

Madam Pomah

Madam Olivia Pomah, Principal of the School, who expressed delight and appreciation to the Chief and people for the gift, noted that plans were afoot to develop the parcel of land.

She conveyed her gratitude during the recent World Day of the Sick held at the School’s premises and called on stakeholders to support the expansion project of the school.

She envisaged that the fruition of project, will enable the College to admit more students, desiring to acquire skills in modern nursing practice.

The Principal advised qualified applicants who to desire to receive training at the College to buy Ministry of Health Scratch Card at the Agriculture Development Bank or at the Ghana Commercial Bank and apply online.

She stated that selection of qualified candidates in to the College was based on merits, adding that successful candidates with the right good grades, who passed a pre-interview exam and an interview will be admitted.

To Catholic facilities willing to sponsor and assist candidates at the College, she advised them to do so after the candidate have gone through the process and secured admission into the College first.  

She noted that to ensure excellent academic records of student, the College has introduced measures to enhance teaching and learning so that the students are not just the best in academics but well formed to take the challenges and demands of the nursing profession.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua in a remark also thanked Nana Effah Opinamang for his generosity and pledged that the land would be put to judicious use.

The Chief who chaired the function, commended the Church for her role in the healthcare delivering in the country, appealing to the Government to commit more resources to sustained provision of healthcare and other essential amenities for the wellbeing of the people.

The College, a quasi-private one established in 1974, by the Catholic Church, has over the years trained thousands who are in active service in many health facilities within and beyond the borders of Ghana.

Currently the college runs Diploma in Registered General Nursing, in affiliation with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the National Accreditation Board.

Hundreds mourn Fr. John Oppong

Hundreds of mourners including Prelates, Priests, Religious, relatives, faithful, and well-wishers from all walks of lives attended the funeral Mass for the late Rev. Bro. Fr. John Kwadwo Oppong, O.H., at the St. George Cathedral in Koforidua.

Among the mourners was a grief-stricken Maame Minta, mother of the deceased, with family members of Bro. Oppong, as well as the confreres of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God.   

Fr. Oppong, OH, 62, until his death was the First Councilor, as well as the Superior Director of the St. John of God Hospital at Sefwi Asafo and also a Management Advisory Board Chairman for the Order of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God Centres in Ghana.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, was the main celebrant at the Mass, concelebrated by Most Revs. Joseph Francis K. Essien, and Peter K. Atuahene, Bishops of Wiawso, and Goaso, respectively.

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum in a remark expressed sadness at the death of Fr. Oppong and consoled the family and the St. John of God Brothers of the Hospitaller Order, reassuring them to take solace in the Lord Jesus Christ who will resurrect him.

Prelates and Priests praying for the deceased

He said death was inevitable, adding that ones we are born, we begin to die, but urged Christians to take consolation in the Gospel of our salvation.  

In a homily, Rev. Fr. Anthony Asare, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Tema Community 8, the classmate of the deceased, recounted the gentleness, piety and spirituality of the late brother.

He extolled his goodness, love and friendliness, urging the mourners and the faithful to water the virtues he lived and emulate whatever good thing they remember of the deceased.

Tributes by the Confreres of the late Bro. Oppong; the National Catholic Health Service, Accra; the St. Joseph Hospital, Effiduase-Koforidua and the St. John of God Hospital, Sefwi Asafo, celebrated his love, selflessness, calm disposition.

The late Bro. Oppong was born, baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary’s Parish, Tepa in the Goaso Diocese. He made his simple profession on 24^th June 1985 in Rome and made his solemn profession in Koforidua on 3^rd November, 1991. He was also ordained a Priest at Koforidua on 31^st July, 1995.

Some Brothers  conveying the coffin of Fr. Oppong

He was nominated in August 1995 as Scholastic Master at Afagnan and First Counselor by then Africa General Delegation. He was appointed local Superior of Tanguita, Benin on 22^nd January 1996. He had also served as Scholastic Master in Nairobi, Kenya and appointed Superior and Director of St. John of God Hospital Tigania Community, Kenya.

Described as a good manager, a great listener and unifier, the late Fr. Oppong will forever be remembered for being a man of “great discretion and great attention” who brought a “ray of sunshine” to all he encountered.

‘Take precaution against Lassa Fever’-Kumordji

Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese has charged health workers in the country to sensitise the public on Lassa Fever in that has hit some West African countries.

Bishop Kumordji, SVD

He entreated them to increase surveillance and public awareness on the symptoms of the disease, in order for them to seek immediate care and take precautionary measures against its spread, should the disease strike in Ghana.

The disease according to reports has affected some West African countries, including Cote D’Ivoire, with over 300 cases and 31 deaths in Nigeria.

The Bishop made the appeal, during the Diocesan celebration of the 26^th World Day of the Sick at Lume in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, stressing the need for us to prepare for the disease and avoid being taken by surprise.

The Lasa Fever is an acute Viral Haemorrhagic Fever caused by an arenavirus. It has an incubation period between 6-21 days. Although the onset of the illness is gradual, with non-specific signs and symptoms, it commonly presents fever, general weakness and malaise.

Other symptoms including headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, diarrhoea and abdominal pain may manifest in patients after few days of contracting the virus. The disease is transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated with the urine, saliva, feaces, and blood of rodents. 

The Prelate, who presided over Mass concelebrated by Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, Emeritus Bishop of the Diocese, commended health workers for their dedication, which involves taking great risk to serve the sick.

Bishop Kumordji presenting the award to the best worker

He reiterated Pope Francis’ appeal to all Catholic health providers to continue serving the sick with renewed vigour in fidelity to the Lord, urging them to place patients at the Centre of healthcare delivery.

Rev. Fr. James Amuzu, Acting Diocesan Executive Secretary for Health, enumerated the efforts being made by the Diocese to disciple among health workers and improve customer care to patients.

He however appealed for support from the government, philanthropists, NGOs and cooperate Ghana to help the Diocese enhance health delivery.

Togbe Seysah III, Sub District Chief of Lume, praised the Catholic Church for providing health care services in the area but entreated them to continue the goods works in order to sustain the gains and make the place grow.

The Awardees with the Prelates and Priests

Madam Comfort Asimadu, Principal Health Assistant at the Sacred Heart Hospital at Abor was adjudged the overall Diocesan Best Worker for 2017, with the theme, Mater Ecclesiae: “Behold, your son... Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:26-27).

Ms. Nanay Adzei, Senior Nursing Officer, St. Anthony Hospital, Dzodze, first runner up, while Christiana Sekyi and Famous Atipo were among second runners up.

Msgr. Peter Huletey, Vicar General of the Diocese was among priests and religious in attendance, as well as representatives of the six health facilities in the Diocese. 

Cuniberto Clinic appeals for support

The Cuniberto Clinic and Maternity Home at Lume, in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, has marked its 5^th anniversary with an appeal to philanthropists, corporate Ghana and stakeholders to support the completion of a new Out Patient Department (O.P.D.).

Dr. Kelugu

Dr. Neville Kelugu, Medical Director of the Clinic, commended Very Rev. Fr. Rabiosi, MCCJ, of the Comboni Missionaries, and his benefactress for building the Clinic, and the chiefs and people of Lume for their role over the years.

In the past five years, the Medical Director, noted that the Clinic, manned by 18 staff with Medical Officer, Physician Assistant, Pharmacist, Midwives among others, recorded 30,325 O.P.D (an average of 6,065 annually) attendants, since its inception, and had 148 deliveries with no still births.

The front view of the uncompleted O.P.D block  

He also appealed for support for the purchase of a vehicle to facilitate operations at the facility, as well as Laboratory equipment, Ultrasound scan Machine, for the construction of a shed for the Reproduction and Child Health Clinic at the facility.

The Medical Director also pleaded for the provision of an incinerator to cater for solid waste disposal at the facility, and accommodation for the staff.

Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese and his predecessor Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty as well as a number of Priest were present at the anniversary which coincided with the Diocesan Launch of the World Day of the Sick.

Bishop Kumordji also commended Fr. Rabiosi, for mobilising resources to build a clinic to address the health needs of the people in the area.

Section of the Cuniberto Clinic

Bishop Kumordji with Fr. Rabiosi

In his remark, Fr. Rabiosi also thanked the Chief and people of Lume for donating land for the project and all those who supported the facility, stating that the name of the late Fr. Cuniberto’s (a missionary he came to Abor with in the 70s) was given to the facility because of his dedicated zeal to serve. 

Some patrons dancing 'Agbadza' 

The Cuniberto Clinic & Maternity Home was the brain child of the Comboni Missionaries who put up the first two buildings and later handed over to the Diocese to run.

At the early stages, the facility was supported by the St Anthony's Hospital, Dzodze, the Sacred Heart Hospital, Abor and Richard Novati Hospital, Sogakope.

After clocking the 5^th milestone, managers of the facility are optimistic that their vision to grow into a highly esteemed and excellent facility, catering for the sick in society especially the elderly women, expectant mothers and children is achievable with the continuous support from all stakeholders.

Beyond Talks

Tall tale touches throats,

And talkative talk stalks,

Spins in the speakers’ speeches.

They traded silent blabs of brethren,

While smiling to their generous mischief.

The grievous gifts of styles

Ignites the flair of sisters’ excited giggling,

Singing the sweet-stale gossips of Saboba, Sankase,

Sandema, Santrokofi, Santasi, Sankori, Savelugu, Sakasaka,

 Saviefe, Sunyani, Sekonde which suckles the lips of Senchi and Sakumono.      

But beyond talks of thoughts,

Beyond the traces of tongues,

Beyond the trumps of talkers,

The tickling thrills still touches

The thatches of Tatale,

The trees of Tamale,

The traps of Tapa,

The tubers of Tokroanu,

The trades of Takoradi,

The tames of Tema,

While the talks of Tanokrom

Travels to Tutukpene and Tefle,

All trekking the talks of talks.

                                                                                                                                                                                    -KYB

10^th September 2015

Oyibi, Accra