‘Free Education is not Free’

The Free Senior High School policy introduced by the Government to make secondary education in Ghana absolutely free, is not free after all, since there are additional financial contributions parents are expected to make to ensure quality education for their wards, Rev. Msgr. Alex Bobby Benson, has said.

Msgr. Bobby Benson, Director of Matthew 25 at Koforidua, lamented about the precarious situation of our education, and called on stakeholders to look at ways to address the bottlenecks in the system and safeguard quality education delivery in the country.

He made these observations in a homily at Madina, during the induction ceremony of 75 new members of the Accra Archdiocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society (SSVP).

Speaking on the theme: The Spiritual Growth of the Vincentian in the Economic and Political World of Today, he challenged members of the Society to support and bring hope to the needy in our society.

He said our current political and economic situation calls for the need for Christians, especially members of the Society to reach out to the poor in the areas helping in paying the fees of needy students and feeding the poor.

“What can we do in our little way to support the needy children go to school or the aged? he asked.

Msgr. Bobby Benson urged the SSVP members not to be deterred by the challenges of the time but to endeavour to reach out to others, while trusting the Lord in serving the needy.

“Don’t let the challenges kill your desire to help” he stressed, urging the members to make time, and use their talents, knowledge and resources to support.

He challenged members of the society to go back to their parishes and ask the parishioners to support, urging them to for instance organised the aged in their vicinity and fete them once a year.

 Mr. Emmanuel Tornyeagah, Archdiocesan President of the Society, who congratulated the new members and sustain the momentum you bring and continue to reach out to others.

He announced that the initiation of new members into the Society would from next year be done at the Parish level, and charged the various deaneries to get training Officers to continue training members of the society.

Concelebrating Priests at the Mass included Rev. Fr. Michael Ofori, Archdiocesan Spiritual Director of the Society, who inducted the new members.

Sr. Apedzi, Mr. Mensah honoured

The National Catholic Health Service (NCHS) has awarded Rev. Sr. Comfort Michelle Apedzi, OLA, Administrator of the St. Elizabeth Hospital, Hwidiem in the Catholic Diocese of Goaso for her dedication and meritorious service to the healthcare delivery system in the country.

In a citation, her sterling leadership skills, commitment, and contribution to the formation of the NCHS, as well were acknowledged.

Sr. Apedzi’s long dedicated service spanning over 28 years, serving in different roles at the St. Joseph Hospital, Nkwanta; and St. John of God Hospital, Duayaw Nkwanta, as well as the St. Elizabeth Hospital where is currently serving as the Administrator.

Similarly, Mr. Robert Mensah, Senior Transport Officer at the Directorate of Health, Accra was also awarded for his long dedicated service for over 29 years.

A citation also recognises his patience, humility, versatility and reliability beyond driving, and mentioned his preparedness to go the extra mile to lend support to some staff of the directorates.

By Kwesi Yirenkyi Boatong     

Our Lady of Grace wins Guardian of Life Award

The Our Lady of Grace Hospital at Breman Asikuma in the Cape Coast Archdiocese, won the maiden Guardian of Life Award for Excellence in Quality Improvement with their ‘Paulina Bottle’ innovation targeted at reducing Perinatal Mortality.

The award, the highest for individuals and institutions within the National Catholic Health Service (NCHS), was conferred on the hospital at the just ended 17^th Annual Conference of the NCHS held at Takoradi, Western Region.

To address the increasing trend of the perinatal mortalities at the hospital, the facility adopted the Quality Improvement (QI) approach by co-opting major stakeholders including doctors, nurses as well as other health personnel and the community members to tackle the challenge.

The project was aimed at reducing the perinatal death rate of 31.1 per 1000 live births to 23.8 at the hospital, which served as the major referral facility for Ajumako District Hospital, Brakwa Health Centre, Odoben Health Centre and Jambra CHPS.

With appropriate tools, the QI team including Madam Paulina Esuman, Nurse Manager of the Hospital, Dr. Benedict Owusu Boateng, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist and Dr. Francis Bentil, General Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, identified the root causes of the challenge and subsequently introduced high level change ideas to track the changes in the system.

The facility also introduced the change idea of improving the referral system by giving prompt feedback on WhatsApp platform, as well as through training of staff at the Our Lady of Grace Hospital and midwives at Ajumako in Standard Operating Guidelines and Emergency Obstetrics Care among others.

The innovation nicknamed the ‘Paulina Bottle’ where unlettered pregnant women in the area were encouraged to appreciate the fetal kicks taught at regular antenatal clinics, by counting the peddles in the bottle each time they experienced a fetal kick.

After the introduction of the ‘Paulina Bottle’ intervention, the mid-year data of still births at the Hospital decreased by 53.5%, that is from 43 in 2018 to 20 in 2019.    

The Guardian of Life Award was instituted by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, to recognise deserving recipients who have shown exceptional innovation with significant impact on saving lives.

Value of Catholic Professionals

The Metropolitan Archbishops of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, has urged Priests to recognise the value, talents and resources of the laity especially Catholic Professionals and work with them to build the Church.

He challenged Catholic Professionals to avail their expertise to the Church and join hands to build the Church in the Archdiocese of Accra and in Ghana as a whole.

The Archbishop made the call during an interaction session with members of the Catholic Professional Guild (CPG), at the Holy Spirit Cathedral Parish Hall, Adabraka, Accra.

Archbishop Kwofie, who declared his preparedness to work closely with the CPG to build the Church, commended his predecessor, Archbishop Chares Palmer-Buckle for starting the process of identifying the professionals within the Church.

He said this move was in fulfilment of the African Synod which enjoins the Bishops of Africa to set up structures for the formation of the laity, who would effectively contribute to the leadership and development of the Church and country.

Instead of blaming and lashing out at the Church for some failures in the Church, the Archbishop urged the professionals not to sit on the fence but to think about what they can do to improve upon the situation and support the process of building.

“Beyond identifying and criticizing the problems facing the Church, what can you do as professionals to help find solutions to build the Church?” the Archbishop asked.

He tasked members of the CPG to be missionaries wherever they found themselves and to let their lives reflect the Gospel values, and urged Catholic Teachers to stand up to support the mission of the Church in education.

Some CPG members also suggested the need for the Church to go into partnership with Catholics to establish schools to project the Catholic faith and her identity.

Concerns on the dwindling Catholic student population in Catholic schools was raised, with some members of the CPG calling on Catholics parents and their wards to choose Catholic schools. Besides, some argued that efforts and strategies should be made to ensure that Catholic values and faith are maintained in Catholic Second Circle Schools.  

The Archbishop also mentioned the efforts the Church was making in partnership with other Churches to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government which was yet to be signed after several years.

On prudent management of finances within the Church, some CPG members suggested the development of a standard accounting procedure to ensure transparency in the finances of the Church.

The Archbishop noting the importance of financial management, said “accountability and transparency are virtues we owe to ourselves and our families”, and stressed the need for Priests, leaders of societies and everyone to be accountable.

Mr. Edward Ayem, Convener of CPG thanked the Archbishop for making time to meet the group and urged members to actively support efforts to build the Church.

Strengthen Youth Entrepreneurship

The National Catholic Youth Organisation (C.Y.O) has appealed to the Ghana Government to make the policy on youth in agriculture and other entrepreneurship programmes attractive for the existing youth structures to easily access.

The organisation which bemoaned the frustration the youth are going through to access these opportunities under government initiatives urged the state to put in place the necessary structures which will encourage the youth to go into entrepreneurship.

The appeal was contained in a resolution issued at the end of the 57^th National Management Council Meeting of the organisation, held at the Notre Dame Minor Seminary at Tankuna, Navrongo last month.

Government was also entreated to enact policies to ensure ready market for agricultural produce to boost the morale and motivate the farmers and the youth who want to go into agro production.

On youth formation in the Church, the organisation urged the Catholic Church to be more concern and involved in youth formation at all level of the Church and ensure that whatever is taught to the youth is in conformity with the church’s teachings.

To this end, the resolution signed by Snr. Crusader George Nigo Fulguu, National Chairman of C.Y.O, also entreated the Church to involve the youth in decision-making that affect them, and also empower the youth with the necessary skills and resources to embark on the Church’s mission of Evangelisation.

The C.Y.O also appealed to the Church for the appointment of a National Chaplain for the organisation to facilitate its work in the youth apostolate.

Over 85 delegates including Chaplains, National and Diocesan Officers of the CYO from all the Arch/Dioceses, except those from Donkorkrom Vicariate, attended the 6-days Meeting.

They deliberated on the theme: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to your word” (Lk.1:38) and resolved to avail themselves to God, and take instructions from authority at all levels.

The stated their commitment to work towards developing potentials of members and to build the capacity of their leaders through leadership formations.

Beyond encouraging the positive use of social media to promote the new Evangelisation among the youth, the leaders also assist the Church as an army of youth in addressing the security threats the church is facing currently.

Increase support for Mental Health

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), has entreated the Government to increase its support for mental health services as significant number of Ghanaians are beginning to suffer from this condition.

The Government was urged to make available psychotropic medicines so that the several mental health units created at the various districts are equipped to serve mental health clients in the country.

The appeals were contained in a communiqué issued CHAG at the end of its 52^nd Annual Conference Held in Tamale from 21^st – 22^nd August 2019, on the theme: Ghana’s Journey Towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC): The Role of CHAG.

CHAG which pledged to reduce maternal and child mortalities amidst the limited resources also urged Government to support emergency services to ensure that the envisaged package of health services on the UHC agenda are delivered to Ghanaians.

The Communiqué signed by Mr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, Executive Director for CHAG, pledged the commitment of the network to work with HEFRA and the new Quality Management Unit at MOH, as it seeks to introduce a network-wide Quality Safe Care programme for CHAG institutions.

To this end the CHAG entreated Government not to renege on its support to quality related units such as HEFRA and the new Quality Management Unit at MOH, adding that the work of these institutions coupled with those initiated at the facility level will ensure that Ghanaians have access to quality of services.

CHAG also affirmed its commitment to pursue strategies to ensure that Ghanaians access quality, equitable and affordable health care without posing any financial risk to them.

The communiqué also assured CHAG’s readiness to ensure the delivery of quality and affordable health care, to all especially the unserved, underserved, and poorly served in the country.

The network also pledged to work with stakeholders and partners to ensure quality improvement systems, efficient supply chain, responsive human capital and solid health financing strategy among others, as well as embrace innovative approaches to health delivery especially in the area of data protection, data storage and data usage to help improve health outcomes and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

CHAG which applauded Government for its support over the years to the network implored the Government to guard the National Health Insurance to make it efficient by reducing moral hazards, reducing fraud and using technology that enhances claims management.

The network also urged the Government to separate the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) funds from the consolidated funds to ensure that health providers are paid timely in order to have all logistics, medicines and essential supplies to provide the needed health services to all Ghanaians.

CHAG is the second largest provider of health services, continuing Christ’s Healing Ministry, with over 344 institutions in the remotest places of Ghana. The network call on all to ensure Universal Health Coverage becomes a reality in Ghana. 

‘Prioritise Retooling of NHIS’-Gov’t urged

Dignitaries at the Conference

To ensure equity in health care coverage, and safeguard access to healthcare services as well as financial risk protection against the cost of quality healthcare, Government has been entreated to prioritise the retooling of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), recently said that “in its present state, the NHIS needs to be strengthened to enable it to respond to the needs and demands of patients, public and service providers”.

The Archbishop made the appeal at the 52^nd Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Tamale recently, under the theme: Ghana’s Journey towards Universal Health Coverage: The Role of CHAG. 

By strengthening the NHIS, the Archbishop argued that it will enable the National Health Authority to fulfill its legitimate obligations to Service Providers on time, in terms of prompt reimbursements and payment of economic tariff structure, which would serve as an enabler and co-driver to the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ghana.

The Archbishop said “the UHC journey is only possible when dedicated health professionals imbibe the missionary spirit to serve needy populations in unreached segments of the society,” and urged Service Providers to ensure efficient service provision that champions the Culture of Health and promote a supportive environment.

Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister for Health, said in spite of Ghana health system having infrastructure, primary health care, and financial protection, we still have “massive problematic inefficiencies” in the health system that needs to be addressed.

To this end, he said the Ministry of Health is in the process of outdooring a road map to improve health care delivery and the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage by 2030, and invited CHAG to also make inputs into the roadmap.

He said plans were afoot to put in checks and also clean the system of inefficiency in the NHIS so that it offers the best to the public.

Similarly, Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, CEO of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in a keynote address stated that UHC is a global phenomenon and Ghana is making a bid to be the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve UHC especially with its domestic resources.

She observed that the NHIA and the Ministry of Finance have done an extensive reconciliation and were paying outstanding claims to the health facilities up to December 2018.

Dr. Dsane-Selby further noted that her outfit has also started clearing the arrears from January 2019 and possibly to March 2019, adding that payments would be regular from there in a bid to catch up. “We hope that this will curtail the phenomenon of co-payments which has crept in defeating the purpose of NHIS and Universal Health Coverage” she stressed.

Presenting his report, Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG, the network has “with barely 7.5 % of health infrastructure in Ghana, in 2018, contributed 32.1% of national in-patient care/admissions and 22.0% of national OPD services”.

Peter K. Yeboah

To ensure Quality Improvement Initiatives, he noted that CHAG would scale up the WHO Quality of Care Patient Safety Initiative in CHAG facilities and support PharmAccess and other partners to embark on comprehensive quality improvement programme for the entire network. 

He said in its bid to offer the urban poor and needy access to healthcare, some Churches have been establishing healthcare facilities in needy urban environments, adding that the intent is not to duplicate but fill gaps and overlaps in access to quality service provision and to complement government journey towards UHC.

The Executive Director, noting the need for CHAG to reposition itself as a reliable partner in the movement towards making UHC a reality in Ghana by 2030, called on member facilities to work together with a refocused passion that reflects the needs of our clients, and a renewed presence and visual identity to lead the national and international stage, backed by a rejuvenated purpose to “inspire our clients, our staff and the community to push for more”.

EVAG assists Centre of Hope

The Event Vendors Association of Ghana (EVAG), has presented assorted items to the Centre of Hope at Abossey Okai, Accra, to support the Centre serves the needs of its beneficiaries.

The donation, the first the by association was part of activities commemorating the first anniversary of EVAG, which was under the theme: Touching Lives with Every Step.

Mrs. Kate Hassan, President of the Association, who also donated a cheque for GH ¢3,000, said the gesture was to assist the Centre meet the needs of the marginalised in society.

Sr. Paulina Ollo, FMM, who received the donation on behalf of the Administrator of the Centre, thanked the Association for their kind gesture.

She briefed the gathering on the day-to-day activities of the Centre and the number of beneficiaries it takes care of and noted that inadequate funding was a challenge.

Mrs. Theresa Ntiamoah-Marfo, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of the Centre, also touched on the initiative of the late Archbishop Dominic K. Andoh of Accra, who established the Centre to attend to the urban poor, including orphans, persons with disability, and cured lepers as well as those with HIV/AIDS and the marginalised in society.

She commended EVAG for their kindness and appealed to philanthropists and corporate organisations to come to the aid of the Centre.

Members of the Association interacted with beneficiaries and entertained them with good music, while some of the beneficiaries of the Centre staged some performances, including poetry recitals at the programme.

As an association for event vendors, organisers, and management, which was launched in August, 2018, Mrs. Hassan said it aims at bringing all those in the event organising and management industry together, to collaborate and help members to build a better industry.

Mrs. Hassan noted that the association also promotes and encourages the highest level of ethics within the industry, while maintaining the highest standard of professional conduct, and improve the standards through forum, seminars for players to give of their best.

Mr. Ato Kwamena Attuquayefio, Vice President of the Association noted that with over 70 members, the group is committed to maintaining excellence in the industry and to provide standardized service to their clients. 

The Association prior to the donation  had a walk through some principal streets of Accra. 

* Mrs. Hassan presenting the cheque to Sr. Paulina, while some Board Members of the Centre and Members of the Association looked on.

'Let Your Faith Shine'

Rev. Mgr. Francis Abuah Quansah, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese has charged Catholic women to internalise the values of compassion and mercy in their hearts and shine as a light in their families and in society.

Msgr. Abuah Quansah who compared the ideal Catholic woman to the Good Samaritan, urged women to be compassionate towards their neighbours as well as show respect and dignity to all.

The Apostolic Delegate made these remarks in a homily at a thanksgiving Mass to climax the 8^th Biennial Congress of the St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus Society of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese at the St. Matthew Parish, Tarkwa. 

As women of character and women who matter in our society, the Apostolic Delegate reminded women them of the mission Jesus Christ entrusted to them to be the salt and light of the world.

Concelebrants at the well-attended Mass included Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei, Director of the Directorate of Good Governance, Justice and Peace at the National Catholic Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Nii Noi Dowunor, Parish Priest of St. Matthew Church, Rev. Fr. Isaac Atta-Mensah, Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Society and Rev. Fr. Micheal Blay Morkeh, Tarkwa Denary Spiritual Director of the Society. 

Very Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Annan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, speaking on theme of the Congress: The Ideal Catholic Woman as the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World in the 21^st Century, entreated women to emulate the virtues of St. Theresa and let their faith shine in their conduct and character.

He urged Christians especially women to excel in their good works and never get tired of doing little things for others, adding that Christianity is a practice that must be seen in our lives and not only in the Church.

The Vicar General said as ideal Catholic women, they have a role to protect their families and ensure the sanctity of the marriage as well as preserve human life at all stages.

Fr. Annan, observed that the greatest challenge of Christians today is the temptation to go with the crowd and the tendency to lose their values and self-worth with the current challenges confronting our society but stated that the ideal Catholic woman should not conform to the world but transformed by the enlightenment of the Word of God.

Noting that life was a challenge, the Vicar General urged Catholic woman to be the flavour of life and endeavour to bring some modicum of joy that enhances the quality of people, especially among the vulnerable and marginalized in the society.

He said the ideal catholic woman is a special one who goes to Mass and involves herself in all the churches activities, preserve and protects her family as well as preserves the environment from degradation.

Over 900 delegates from 59 branches of the society in the Diocese participated in the 4-day Congress, held at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa.

Dignitaries including traditional authorities with their retinue, Priests and the Religious, as well as Government officers and well-wishers,  graced the opening of the Congress.

Tεtrεtε Okuamoah Sekyim II, Omanhene of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, who commended the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society for their efforts, urged them to continue striving to be the ideal Catholic women.

He said the need for the ideal Catholic woman to be the salt and light in the world was a wakeup call to all Christians to rethink their actions and attitudes.

The Omanhene who asked Christians to be firm in their faith stressed the need for them to practicalise their faith and emulate the virtues of St. Theresa.

Similarly, Mr. Albert Kennedy Asmah, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly in a remark commended the Catholic Church and members of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society for their commitment to development, assured the public that the Tarkwa and Ahwetiaso road under construction would be completed by close of the year.

He appealed to women to support the Government’s effort to develop the area, noting that seedling would soon be supplied to farmers in the area under the planting for food and job programme.

MMDCEs election: Catholic Bishops, Parties, others show support

Dignitaries at the meeting 

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Office of the National Chief Imam, and the various political parties in Ghana have shown support to the impending referendum to pave way for the election of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the country.

This was at a multi-stakeholder Conference organised by the Directorate of Governance, Justice, and Peace at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra, to sensitise Ghanaians on the forthcoming referendum scheduled for December this year.

The forum with funding from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung was informed by the Catholic Social Teachings, which also seeks to support efforts of Government and Stakeholders to enhance the capacity of people at the local level to make decisions that affect their lives and their communities.

With representation from the Church throughout the country, Political Parties, Parliament, ministers of state, and representatives of the Electoral Commission (EC), religious groups, civil society, and academia, the forum besides sought ideas on how to promote effective representation, accountability in local governance, and about the direct participation of political parties in local government elections.

Section of participants

Most Rev. Philip Naameh, President of the of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference in a speech read for him expressed worry about the low interest in the upcoming referendum in December has received and urged participation of all in the exercise, noting that “if successful, will lead to the amendment of an important entrenched article of the national constitution” and mark a turning point for local governance and development at the grassroots.

He reiterated the commitment of the Bishops’ Conference to supports efforts of Government and stakeholders to help improve local governance, adding that the Churches network of parishes and outstations across the country will continue to provide platforms and opportunities for awareness creation and discussion on the merits and demerits of the proposals.

The Archbishop encouraged the clergy and lay faithful all levels to participate actively in the debates and discussions leading to the referendum.

“As we have done in the past the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference will offer its support, once again, to the Government, the EC, the National Commission on Civic Education and other stakeholders to create awareness and understanding of the issues at stake during the referendum so that the people can make informed choices and decisions,” Archbishop Naameh added.

In the run-up to the 2016 elections the Progressive People’s Party and the NPP Government in their campaign, proposed direct election of the MMDCEs instead of they being appointed by the President, but speakers at the forum largely agree to the proposition of organising the elections based on political party representation, noting that active politics takes place at the local level.

Prof. Ebow Bondzi-Simpson

Professor Ebow Bondzi-Simpson, Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), in a keynote address, said it is not sufficient to elect the MMDCEs, noting it is not enough to change Article 55 (3) for the referendum on the election of MMDCEs.

He said the Bill was limited in scope; stating that there were still ancillary clauses in the constitution such as the appointment of 30 percent of all-district assembly members by the President that need to be dealt with.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, a former First Lady, who said the meeting was strategic, called for the inclusions of women in the decision-making process at the local level.

Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development stated that her ministry has developed a roadmap for the process urged all the political parties and the general public to be involved in the processes leading to the Referendum in December.

While entreating Ghanaians to shun political patronage in the country, the Minister also entreated political parties to identify women and support them to be elected as MMDCEs.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has assured the public of its preparedness to carry out the referendum, come December.

St. John of God Hospital commissions new theatre

The New Theatre

A new theatre for the St. John of God Hospital, Amrahia has been commissioned to help improve quality healthcare delivery to patients living in and around Amrahia in the Adentan Municipality.

Br. Bartolommeo Kamara, Provincial Superior of the St. Augustine Province of Africa of the St. John of God Hospitaller Order, said the addition of the Theatre to the facility, would augment the treatment and delivery of quality care to the patients.

With 16 facilities in eight countries in Africa, Br. Kamara announced that the St. John of God Clinic, the fourth facility in the Ghana, managed by the St. John of God Order, has been granted Hospital Status.

He commended the staff, through whose efforts the 4-year Clinic was upgraded to the status of a Hospital, and urged them to uphold the values of respect, justice, compassion and hospitality, in order to achieve excellence in healthcare delivery. 

Bro. Kamara also thanked the curia team including Mr. Valentine Bruku, Financial Administrator of the Province, who with others helped in sourcing funds to build the Theatre.

Instead of seeing each other as competitors in health care provision, the Provincial Superior urged neighbouring facilities to work together as collaborators to improve the health of the people.  

The project, according to Mr. Fosu Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer of the Ellfasons Constructions Ltd, contractors of the edifice, has two theatres, two recovery rooms, two offices, male and female changing rooms among others.

Completed at an estimated cost of GH₵ 980,612.94, Mr. Agyemang said theatre was built with the best materials and in accordance to accepted standards is disability friendly.

Madam Roberta Asiedu, Deputy Coordinator, Community and Institutional Care at the Directorate of Health (DoH), National Catholic Health Service, commended the leadership and team who worked to build the theatre, and urged management of the hospital to improve the operation theatre efficiency, and ensure that the required guidelines and standard for surgical safety is made available for the staff to adhere to.

While assuring them of DoH’s commitment and support in the provision of quality healthcare delivery, she advised management to take keen interest in data generated at the theatre and study it in order to measure and improve the services.

Dr. Julius Afedi Dedebo, Adentan Municipal Health Director, commended the Hospital for their services and social interventions in the catchment area, and encouraged them to expand their laboratory services among others in order to retain and serve their clients better.  

He urged them to continue with the good collaboration between the Municipal Health Directorate, so as to improve upon the health indicators in the Municipality.

Mr. Donatus Duncan Adaletey, Executive Secretary for Health, Accra Archdiocese, urged management to expand the space in the facility in order to take care of more clients.

He also urged the staff to not only be professionals in their dressing but to respect how they relate with their clients and not to look down on them in order the sustain quality healthcare provision.

Nuno Seth Ashirifi Kofi, representative of Amrahia Chief, thanked management for their efforts and expressed the readiness of the Chiefs and elders to continue collaborating with the facility to improve greater health care delivery in the area.

Women manifesting fruits of empowerment programme

Some finished necklace designs

Beneficiaries of the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, are making gains and improvising new techniques in the designs of the wears they are producing.

A recent visit to some of the beneficiaries, barely two months of graduating from the programme showed that they were making strides by producing nice designs and even exploring to an array of new designs to add to what they have been taught during the programme.

Six of the women were making beads into nice designs, including key holders, bracelets, bleach, and Palazzo as well as how to make key holders, bracelets, necklaces and paper bags among others.

Testimonies

Madam Seyram

Madam Gina Seyram Senanoo, prefect of the group, who resides at Otinibi Aya Court area says “by God’s grace business is going on well. The more you produce the goods, the more you attract customers. So it is my target to produce more of the key holders, the bangles, beads, earrings to showcase.”

“I have produced few pieces of the earrings, key holders and I intend to produce more”. “I sometimes go on the internet on my phone to look at other designs to add to what I have learned”.

“I thank the organisers for providing us with the beads and the materials to work with, and to produce a variety of the necklace I buy some crystals and beads to nice designs”.

Saying the programme was good and beneficial to her, she appealed to the organisers “to continue supporting women to acquire these skills.”

Another graduate, Madam Mary Efe Mensah, who was working on some of the unique patterns before we got there, says “Oh! I don’t know how to say it, but the programme has helped me a lot”.

“After the programme I sat down to rack my brain on bringing out a new design, and came up with these design ‘pattern’ which I join together to make the bags”, she noted.

Madam Efe sharing her experience

Showcasing her distinctive wares, which includes assorted designs of necklaces, bags made from beads, earrings among others.

She says though “I have made some sales and people really liked it, the marketing of the ware is still a challenge” and added she has tried to advertised her wares on social media: “I advertise on Facebook and WhatsApp, which attracts some friends to buy, although it’s difficult convincing friends to buy”. “Marketing the wares is still a challenge, is still a challenge.

“Yes, I have the idea to do something, I was idle, but when I heard about the programme I decided to come and learn more and polish my skills”.

Madam Aboagye receiving some guidance from a staff

Also, Madam Edith Aboagye notes “the programme is a good one and has taught me some skills. I am trying to make some designs”.  But says “I have challenges making time for more designs due to another schedule”. 

The project coordinator and Nurses on the team shared some pieces of advice on how to improve upon her designs and work.

Peer-learning

The women occasionally interact among themselves and share ideas on how to improve on what they have learned. There are occasional visits to other women who graduates, which Madam Gina Senanoo alluded to.

Support from Organisers

After their graduation, the trainers (Public Health Nurses at the St. John of God Clinic, Amrahia, still find time to offer useful technical support to graduates. Madam Edith Aboagye commended her trainers for their readiness to assist them.   

Background

The project, an initiative of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Hospitaller Brothers is to empower women to become self-reliant in taking care of their children and themselves.

The prospects of the programme as manifested by the fruits of the first graduate, is encouraging for organisers who are still preparing to roll out phase two.

Meanwhile, the Financial Controller of the St. Augustine Province, Mr. Valentine K. Bruku, who hinted of a possible replication of the programme in the other seven countries of Africa, where the St. John of God operates, called on donors to support the programme for more women to benefit from it.