‘Desire to Support Caritas Ghana’

With high prospects of empowering more Ghanaians to achieve their developmental potentials, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Abbey-Quaye, Acting Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), urged Catholics and people of goodwill to learn more about Caritas Ghana and support its work.

Fr. Abbey-Quaye

As the main vehicle of the Church’s development agenda, he called for full support for the progress of Caritas Ghana, noting that it stands for the total development of the people.

In an interview, the Acting Secretary General stated that the service of charity is at the heart of the Church’s nature and mission, and that Caritas Ghana will coordinate the Church’s efforts in the areas of health, education, livelihood support programme and other interventions in a holistic and systematic way.

Fr. Abbey-Quaye, highlighting the Church’s commitment to continue in a sustainable way the integral development of all people, he reiterated the Church’s readiness to bring together societies to setup foundations to cater for the needs of the poor, as well as encourage individuals to do same.

In the spirit of self-reliance, and the eminent drying up of donor funds for projects, the Acting Secretary General called for a paradigm shift and attitudinal change, urging people to embrace positive mind-set that we are capable of doing things for ourselves.

Stating that the service of charity does not mean the Church has do everything, Fr. Abbey-Quaye, reiterated the duty of the Church to lead the way to ensure the sustenance of the charity work.

He noted that the Church through Caritas Ghana would strive to maximise the donor funds they receive; and implement rigorous accountability regime to ensure the judicious use of funds and investments that will sustain the charity works of the Church in the long run.

Archbishop Anokye

This ties in with the vision of Caritas Africa to “…I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), which it’s President Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye, says he would ensure it is owned and implemented by everybody.

Said the Archbishop: “The mission to achieving this is surely to bring people to know it, talk about it more, form people and also commission people do precisely that… ensuring that we achieve our mission of reaching out in love to our brothers and sisters who are in need”.

Similarly, Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, President of Caritas Ghana, stated that the official launch of the body introduces significant changes in standard and quality of the social services that the Church has rendered to humanity over the years, in areas of health, education, livelihoods, relief and incomes.

Bishop Mante with some dignitaries lighting the Caritas Candle

For it breathe a new life and vitality for the Church’s charity, the Bishop stated that “the global management standards, code of ethics and code of conduct of staff of the Caritas Confederation would be the benchmarks that guide the operation of Caritas Ghana,” while the principle of Catholic Social Teachings will underpin its actions and relationships.

Caritas Ghana, with the emblem of the holy Cross of hope, has shown its readiness to empower the people of Ghana attain equitable development and help them live in freedom, peace and dignity.

It handles policy engagement and advocacy, livelihoods and social protection and emergency response, with specific areas including public policy advocacy, social research, relief services, education and health delivery service.

Other areas consists of Livelihood Promotion and Institutional Development and Capacity Strengthening.

As it is with every organisation, Rev. Fr. Abbey-Quaye, agrees there would be challenges in areas of staffing, managing relationships between the national Caritas, the Diocesan and Parish level structures, but added quickly that there are programmes in place to organise workshops and provide support for the Diocesan Caritas offices to work with the Caritas Agenda.

Likewise, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, has explained how Caritas Ghana was introducing the Caritas International (CI) Management Standards as a means of improving the management of the members which will also serve as a capacity building initiative, aimed at sharing knowledge and mutual continuous learning. 

The Management Standards which falls under Institutional Development and Capacity Strengthening (IDCS) drive of the Caritas Ghana, will empower and strengthen Diocesan structures to reform and be more innovative to seek funding.

Key innovative interventions

With effort to establish a systematic process to enhance its operations in the country, Caritas Ghana has adopted processes, including an effective engagement of the Government and other major stakeholders to among other things enhance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana. 

To do this, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, states that the organisation will tackle two main objectives of increasing citizens’ awareness and participation in the implementation of the SDGs; and to contribute to achieving National level policy coherence and planning for the implementation of the SDGs.

The expected impact according to him, would be measured by increased citizens’ demand on government for implementation of the SDGs, especially around the 2016 General Elections; increased multi-stakeholder engagement on the proposed 40-year National Development Plan with key references to SDGs, targets and indicators in Ghana.

Caritas Ghana thus, proposes three key interventions during the period from June to December, 2016 as its contribution to civic engagement. This consists of preparing a national monitoring report on SDG Implementation status with a detailed terms of reference to be undertaken by qualified research Consultants using participatory action-research approach. 

Under the National Policy Engagement, schedule to take effect in September 2016, Caritas Ghana proposes to use the national monitoring report for a national policy engagement, which will involve diverse stakeholders from civil society, faith-based organisations, private sector and public institutions.

Moreover, Caritas Ghana in its proposed participation in Regional and International policy dialogue on follow up and review, intends to use the lessons learned from the initiatives to feed into Regional and International advocacy efforts for the implementation of the SDGs.

In line with this, Caritas Ghana Executive Secretary, Mr.  Akologo will be leading the Caritas Confederation delegation to participate in the July 10-20^th UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF), on follow up and review of the SDGs in New York.

The delegation would together with Alliance of Catholic Development Agencies (CIDSE) hold a side event to share Africa’s experience so for in the implementation of the SDGs.   

The Symposium for Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Secretariat in Accra is expected to be involved to learn from the process and use its outcome for their advocacy at the AU level. Expectation are that outcome of the initiative will also feed into Caritas Africa and Caritas International advocacy efforts by hopefully representing those institutions in any Regional and International policy dialogue meetings on the SDGs.

Background 

Caritas Ghana (until now the Department of Human Development), was established in 1971 by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and now has twenty Diocesan Offices and four Directorates: Social Development, Education and Religious Education, Health and Governance, Justice and Peace.

Focused on Integrated and Holistic Human Centred Development, Caritas Ghana undertakes relevant service delivery projects within the country. This includes promoting self-help projects in agricultural development, rural health and micro-credit for small businesses and coordinates relief operations after emergencies, and work on public policy advocacy on behalf of the poor and the promotion of the common good.

FIRM FOUNDATION

Let your roots be firm,
Let your beliefs be firm,
Let your resolves be firm,
Let your faith be firm,
Let your foundation be firm.

Because very soon the torrential rains will pour,
The deadly waves will wave strongly,
The tides of temptation and tribulation will threaten,
Even self doubt and tiredness might set in,
Gossips and grandiose schemes might unsettle you,
Various vicious vipers might spit their venom on you,
Critical changes might come in life to test you,
Financial situations might hit you hard in the face,
 
But in all these remain rooted in your faith.
In all the challenges stay calm and keep your faith.
Feed your faith daily with prayer
And stay in communion with your maker.
Build a firm foundation with Jesus Christ at the Centre,
Nourish your faith with good and healthy exercises,
And you shall see the hand of the Lord in your life.

Because your foundation is strong and solid you shall live.
Because your foundation is firm you shall withstand all challenges.
Because your foundation is rooted on your trust in the Lord you shall prevail.
Because your foundation is well-founded your shall truimphand taste victory.

Keep an unwavering faith and trust the Lord to guide you on this course.
Remain Blessed

‘Be actors of peace’- Youth tasked

The Participants at the Workshop.

Catholic youth in the country have been charged to continue praying for and preaching peace among their peers and wherever they found themselves, to ensure greater peace in the country, before, during and after the November 7 polls.

Mrs. Abigail Nutakor, Head of Gender and Disability at the Electoral Commission, urged the youth to desist from acts that will lead to electoral violence.

She was speaking at a day’s workshop organised by the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Apostolate of the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in Ghana for Catholic youth from some parishes in the Accra Archdiocese.

The youth were advised not to allow themselves to be used by any politician to foment troubles during the elections, since electoral violence could pose a great threat to the national peace and development.

Mrs. Nutakor, who underscored the need for all stakeholders to do their bit to ensure peace, counselled the youth to “reject any enticement to act violently” and not allow themselves to be used to cause trouble in the run up to the elections.

 “As Catholic youth, you have a duty to work to preserve the peace in the country” she said, charging them to be pacesetters to preserve peace in the country.

To ensure greater peace and development, she urged the youth to be rational in the choices they make with regards to who they vote for

She highlighted the essential role the catholic youth could play in voter education, promoting tolerance among the public and safeguarding themselves against any action that could cause conflict

“No politician’s ambitions are worth scarifying your life or years of your life in a prison,” Mrs. Nutakor cautioned, entreating the youth to be peace builders in their societies and communities, protect their future and shun electoral violence.

Rev. Fr. Alex Awuah-Osei, SVD, Team member of the Biblical Pastoral Ministry of the SVD, noted that peace building goes beyond strategies, adding that reconciliation is spirituality and a process that must be nurtured.

Touching on Justice and Peace based on the Biblical Teachings, Fr Awuah-Osei quoted extensively from the Book of Genesis, tracing the fall of man in the Garden of Eden as the root cause of absence of peace in the world

He cited the various conflicts chronicled in the Book and noted the plague of fraternal strife between Cain and Abel (Gen. 4: 1-16), Abram and Lot (Gen. 13:1-7) and between Jacob and Esau.

Fr. Awuah-Osei, stated that failure to live and let the other leave, taking undue advantage of those in need, corruption in the society, were some of the causes of conflicts in the society.

In entreating the youth to pray and preach peace to all, he urged Ghanaians to seek reconciliation with God, with themselves, with others and with nature in order to secure lasting peace.

    

Rev. Bro. Oswald Bangfo, SVD, member of the JPIC, Provincial Ad monitor of the SVD in Ghana, stressed the essence of peace in Ghana during and after the election.

In a keynote address, he noted that election should not lead to violence, adding that Ghanaians should back the election process with prayers. 

“As we pray for peace, let act peacefully,” he stated, and urged Ghanaians to cultivate the attitude of celebrating whoever emerges winner in the elections.

The workshop, held at the St. Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre at Tuba, in the Accra Archdiocese, attracted participants from Divine Word Catholic Church, Tuba, Holy Family Parish, Mataheko, Ss. Peter and Paul, New Weija, St. Karol, St. Charles Luwanga, Abeka; Star of the Sea Church, and St. Margret Mary Parish, both at Dansoman. 

Organisers who distributed leaflets with texts highlighting what the youth should do to promote peace, noted that the programme will be replicated in other areas. 

Background

The Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Apostolate of the Divine Word Missionaries, aims at promoting justice and peace in solidarity with the poor and oppressed in our society.

To do this the society, seeks to use a constant process of conscientising people with a critical analysis on the socio-political situation; as well as promote justice through the effective educational programmes and educational institutions and through their communal approach to evangelisation and efforts of the Communication apostolate.

‘Train Maritime Transport Journalists’ -Fiifi Kwetey Advocates

Dignitaries at the Seminar

The Minister for Transport, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of maritime transport in the curriculum of public journalism schools, to enable the training of high calibre Maritime Transport Journalists to improve upon maritime literacy among the public.

He made the call at the 5^th Maritime Seminar for Journalists in the country at Accra, on the theme: Current Development in the Maritime Industry-Ghana’s Readiness.

Mr. Fifi Kwetey, Minister for Transport

Mr. Kwetey, who underscored the importance of the maritime transport subsector, noted that over 70% of Government’s internal revenue is sourced from activities in the maritime industry, adding that more than 90% of Ghana’s international trade volume is based on the industry.  

“Ghana’s oil exploitation activities are maritime based”, he observed, and stated that the seaports were critical national security installations requiring interest and attention of the journalists.

The Minister mentioned completion of work on a $20million Reefer Terminal in Tema port to meet demand for more Cargo, and the injection of $1.5billion investment by a Private Sector Investor for the expansion of the Tema Port, which includes the development of a new container terminal, and construction of a 3.85KM breakwater.

Others include the construction of a railway terminal, reconstruction of Tema motorway into a 6 lane, the near completion of the Maritime Hospital in Tema and the completion of Phase One of the Takoradi Logistics Platform project.

The Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, noted that the Maritime Pollution Act, 2016 was passed by Parliament in May to provide the framework for regulation of maritime source pollution.        

Dr. Affail Monney, President of GJA

The President of the Ghana Journalist Association, Dr Affail Monney, stated that the need to capacitate Journalists was crucial for their performance, adding that “capacity building has proven to be most the potent medicine to cure professional diseases of journalists, including mirror and chronic ones.”

He called on “journalists to limit their excessive and compulsive politicisation of issues and give more airtime and print space to issues which promote our socio-economic well being.”

“The jack of all trade and master of none approach must give way to specialisation” Dr. Monney stated, and charged media practitioners to sharpen their focus on issues which can ensure the country’s economic sustainability.

He thanked the Ghana Shippers Authority for organising the Seminar for Journalists, and pledged the continued collaboration between the GJA and the GSA to give sensitisation to the public on the development in Ghana’s Maritime Industry.   

Similarly, Ms. Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers' Authority, also commended the collaboration between the GJA and the GSA, which has led to the organisation of maritime Seminars for the media the past five years.

She said the recent introduction of Ghana National Single Window system, the International Maritime Organisation Container Weight Verification requirement and the implementation of the ECOWAS Common Tariff were relevant and current happenings in the maritime industry which required the understanding of the media.

She noted that the Authority’s readiness to respond to global changes in the maritime industry, especially where commercial shipping was concerned and keep abreast with trends to be competitive in the global logistics value chain.       

In line with this, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer stated the head office of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority has been moved to its new office Complex: the Ghana Shippers’ House last month at the West Ridge Ambassadorial Enclave in Accra.   

“The 12-storey multipurpose office complex is expected to serve as one-stop shop for shipping and related service providers” she added.

Participants were taken through the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Requirement for container weight verification: Is Ghana Ready? Understanding the ECOWAS Common External Tariff and the Ghana National Single Window-How Far?    

Background                             

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority established in 1974 by NRCD 254 has been at the frontline of Ghana’s maritime industry. It collaborates with private and public organisations to pursue the primary objective of protecting and promoting the interests of Ghanaian shippers in relation to port, ship, and inland transport problems and provision of ancillary shipping services.

The Authority has a vision to be a world class service organisation that ensures for shippers in Ghana quick, safe, reliable and cost effective delivery of import and export cargoes by all modes of transport. 

CHAG seeks sustainable Health Funding solutions

The dignitaries and participants at the Conference.

Amidst the rare funding gaps challenges confronting the health sector, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), has shown its readiness to find sustainable means of health funding.

Speakers at a two-day 48^th Annual Conference of the Association in Kumasi, have underscored the need to look at ways of sustainable means of health funding in Ghana.

The Conference which brought together players in Health care industry and member institutions of CHAG spread throughout the country, was themed: Financial Sustainability of CHAG at all Levels: How Can We Do Things Differently?

The Executive Director of CHAG, Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, has expressed the need for all stakeholders of CHAG to contemplate feasible local action to wean themselves from complaints and lamentations, and find lasting means of health funding.

“It is time to explore prospects and potentials for sustainable quality and compassionate health care in the midst of these challenges,” he said, reiterating the need for CHAG to consolidate and expand her gains.

He re-echoed the essence for a refocused passion that reflects the needs of clients and a renewed presence and rejuvenated purpose that inspires clients, staff and community to push for more.  

To develop financial sustainability in institutions, Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, former General Secretary of Christian Council of Ghana, suggested the development of a strategic and financial plans to guide the running of the institutions.

Mr. Peter Yeboah commending Rev. Deegbe after delivering
his address. 

He urged CHAG and its affiliate institutions to develop income diversification, sound financial administration and sound financial reporting regime, including periodic audit and project reports.

Rev. Deegbe in a keynote address, charged facilities to develop business plans that will guide their growth, and entreated them to put in place effective team management to enable them render quality service to their clients.

Similarly, Prof. Stephen Addai, former Rector of GIMPA, who expressed worry at the leakages in health systems, called on leaders at health facilities and institutions to get their financial acts correct, establish a rigorous human resource systems and ensure efficiencies in the system in place.

Commenting on the indebtedness of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to CHAG facilities, Prof Addai, question why CHAG was not having its insurance scheme, after pioneering the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

He stated the need for the infusion of creativity and innovation in solving challenges in CHAG member institutions, asking the body to do full costing of every service they rendered.

Mr. John Alexander Ackon, Ashanti Regional Minister, said financial sustainability involved an inward evaluations of expenditure, investment of idle funds and the running of an effective financial management systems.

He hinted that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has settled a backlog of arrears of claims owed health facilities up to November 2015, and added that the Ministry of Finance has also given clearance for Ghana Health Service to employ more staff, who will soon be posted to some CHAG facilities.

He advised CHAG to promote awareness of her existences and interest people through public health campaign programmes for them to practice preventive and healthy living lifestyles.   

The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Victor Bampoe, touched on the challenges the NHIS was facing, and noted that “we design a system which has become a victim of its success,” but called on all stakeholders including CHAG to work together as partners to address the challenges bedevilling the scheme.        

Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua, Paramount Chief of Kumawu, who represented the Asantehene, commended CHAG for the good works and said “we all have a duty to protect and preserve its legacy”. 

While calling for alternative sources of health funding, the Paramount Chief also appealed to the Government to reconsider the withdrawal of its support for service provision (subsidies for utilities) and suspend the 15% it was charging the facilities.

Mr. Nathaniel Otoo, Acting Executive Secretary of NHIA, who spoke on NHIS Sustainability: A Shared Responsibility; entreated those handling the processing of NHIS claim forms at health facilities, to exercise caution in the data entry in order to avoid mistakes.

A section of the participants

Other presenters at the two-day Conference included Mr. Zanu Dassah, who treated the topic: Basic Legal Concepts for Health Managers, and Dr. Chris Atim who handled the topic: Financial Sustainability of CHAG at all Levels; What Can We Do Differently?  

CHAG is a network of Christian Health Service Providers made of 291 Health Facilities and Training Intuitions from 25 Church Denominations, established in 1967.

With a core mission to Jesus Christ’s healing ministry, CHAG member institutions, mostly located in remote areas, have over the years demonstrated the commitment to provide holistic health service to all. It also seek partnership with all stakeholder including Government, development partners, local collaborators and communities within which their services are found.

PASSING SCENES

For daring to tell him the uncomfortable truth, he got angry.

For daring to suggest to him that he was wrong, he got mad.

Yes, he called me names, as if to tell me I should mind my business, but that gave me more energy to punch holes in his lame defence.

But did he say I was a wizard?

Did he really say I was sent to disturb him?

I told him point blank that I had no such ill intent to do such thing.

I told him it is because he was too proud to accept his fault that was why he was saying what he said.

So this spare-driver got behind the steering wheel of this Sprinter Mercedes bus at Adentan barrier at around 7:48am. He was about joining the main road when he's conductor (mate) asked him to stop. So he couldn't pack well, and I commented.

We got to Madina at 8:02 am and after struggling to get some passengers on-board, we set off amidst the intermittent delays, so some passengers voiced their concern.

Then when the vehicle started off from Atomic Junction, this driver spat on the main road, and I complained gently. He shook his head several times as if to say, ‘who are you at all to even correct me’.

So when I was about getting to my destination, I informed the driver sitting right in front of me, but he said he hasn't heard me and sent me to the next bus stop before stopping. It was as if he was punishing me for trying to suggest the right things he ought to do on the road. And when I registered my displeasure, he called me a wizard with an angry face.

Some passengers who did not start the journey at the time the driver took over, vigorously supported him. It was an interesting exchange though and I realised how his ego won't allow him to accept his shortcomings. Or maybe I was too quick to point to him the wrong things he was doing. But I felt I was a passenger who paid for the services he was rendering and I deserved to be served as better.

However, when I spoke of the reckless way he was driving, he called me names with a degree in wizardry. May be I should have praised him to see what he might call me instead.

LESSON:

People are unhappy when they are being criticized or critiqued. People are uncomfortable when their ills are being exposed. But are quick to jump to praises or acknowledge those who cheer them. We may not like the naked truth when it is being rendered raw but let’s not relent in saying it as it is. Because if we fail to do this, then let us be ready to enjoy the fun of the ever cheerful sycophants, ‘yeye men’, bootlickers and the unending list of the cheerleaders will spun on us. 

We are drivers one way or the other so let us watch our temperance and our reaction to those who critique us. I think it is about time we thank those who critique us and put us on our toes.