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| The Chief Justice |
She
commended the Church for her role in serving the needs of the poor and
marginalised in the society over the years, adding that the Catholic Church has
shown that it does not only preach the Gospel but also serve the needs of the
poor in the society.
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| The Chief Justice presenting an award to one of the winners |
The
Chief Justice, as the Special Guest at the inauguration of the APBCC at the
Achimota Golf Park, applauded organisers of the programme for using golf, which
she refers to as a game of leisure, to raise funds for charity and the restoration
of the Cathedral project.
She
thanked God for the gift of the Archbishop’s life, whom she recounted knowing when
he was Fr. Palmer-Buckle, for being a diligent priest, and commended his
profound love and dedication for Ghana.
In
his remark, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra
said the Cathedral Restoration Project goes beyond cement and mortar, adding
that it’s the house of God and a national monument, which must be preserved.
He
enumerated a number of national events held in the Cathedral, including the
consecration of the Nation to the Sacred Heart on the eve of Ghana’s independence,
as well as hosting an ecumenical service during Ghana’s 60th Independence
anniversary.
Whilst
commending the organisers for putting up the programme, the Local Ordinary urged
Parishioners in every parish in the Archdiocese to contribute a minimum of GH¢100 a year or GH¢ 8. 30pessewas per month towards the Cathedral
Restoration Project.
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| Archbishop Palmer-Buckle |
The
Archbishop explained that the inaugural programme was to raise the seed money not
only for the Cathedral Restoration Project, but to support the charity works of
the Archdiocese, including the ones being run at the City of God, Agbogloshie,
and the Catholic Action for Street Children among others.
Ordained
into the Priesthood on 12 December 1976, the Archbishop said he has always
loved to be a Priest to serve the people of God, and thanked God for His grace
and mercies on his life.
In
appealing for support, the could not hide his love for Reggae Music, as he
performed his rendition of the Legend Robert Nester Marley’s Redemption Song to
the admiration of the patrons and guests.
Dr.
Sam Esson Jonah, a business magnate and a Founding Patron of the APBCC donated
US$5000 in support of the project, stating that there couldn’t be a worthier
course to support than the initiative that goes to support the needs of the
poor and the vulnerable in the society. “The Catholic Church represents the
very best we should all support”, he added.
Very
Rev. Fr. Samuel Filton-Mensah, Administrator of the Cathedral, taking the guest
through a documentary on the cracks in walls of the Holy Spirit Cathedral at
Adabraka, observed that the architectural integrity of the Cathedral has been
compromised and the edifice was not as strong as it was 60years ago when it was
built.
The
Administrator, commenting on the severe structural damages on the roof,
ceiling, the parapet, basement and tower of the Cathedral as well as cracks on
portions of the walls, posted US $1million dollars as the estimated cost of the
restoration project.
He
explained that the challenge was due to the absence of a periodic maintenance regime
of the Cathedral over the years. “We have had challenges because we have not
been able to keep up with periodic maintenance” he stressed.
Reporting
on efforts being made, Fr. Filton-Mensah in a documentary showed an elevated
view of the reconstructed roof-on-roof of the Cathedral with eight vents by
Domod Company at GH¢240, 000.
The
programme was organised by the founding Patrons of the Archbishop Palmer-Buckle
Charity Classic and Catholics in Banking, Finance, Business, Services, Media
and their Families and Friends.
Dr.
Frank Adu Jr, Managing Director of CAL Bank Limited and a Founding Patron who
chaired the inaugural function, described the APBCC as a laudable project,
which he argued should be institutionalised to be an annual programme to
support the Church’s charity works.
Acknowledging
the success of the inaugural event, he said playing golf and raising funds to
support charity was commendable.
He
however debunked the notion that golf was a sport reserve for the rich and
affluent in the society, saying it was a game for everybody, and appealed to
the National Sports Council promote the game of golf at the national level.
The
inaugural fundraising Golf Tournament to kick start the programme and under the
theme: Tee-Off To Restore the Holy Spirit Cathedral, was graced by the
celebrated Dance Hall Artist Samini, who helped raised about GH¢ 20,000 during his lively performance, which got the
Archbishop and the Priests around dancing.
Other
Artist who performed at the function were Daughters of Glorious Jesus and the
Black Lace Band who treated the guest to good music.
Winners
of the golf tournament male category were Barry Dzadey, Dr. Frnak Adu Jr, Kwaku
Okyere and Kofi Dickson. In the female category Vetsch Bempong, Mercy Werner
and Aku Yabah were the winners. They were all presented with trophies and
awards.
