Renowned Musician honoured

Mr Sackey at the Organ with Young Choral on stage

A concert was recently organised in honour of Mr. Raphael Anthony Sackey, a renowned Composer, Director of Music Haven and Music Educationist, to celebrate his contribution to the enrichment of music in liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church and many Churches for the past 40 years.

The Concert dubbed: Celebration Time, and staged at the Assembly Hall of the Our Lady of Mercy Senior High School at Tema, Community 2, attracted over 10 Choirs from various Churches within the Tema Metropolis, as well as hundreds of music lovers.

The occasion coincided with the 5^th Anniversary of the formation of Young Chorale, an inter-denominational choir at Tema, which organised the event.

According to Mr. George Kwame Edzie, Founder and Director of group, the concert was to celebrate Mr. Sackey, who he described as sharing in the philosophy and passion of the music ministry.

The Yong Chorale, and Mrs. Alice P. Sackey (wife of the celebrant) presented citations to Mr. Sackey for all his immeasurable contributions to the animation and growth of music as well as the training of other musicians in the art of music.

There were piano recitals by Mr. Sackey and three of his students at the ceremony, which drew loud applause from the audiences.

Earlier, Messrs. Kweku Haizeil; Augustine Sobeng and Joseph Maxwell Ossei-Little, also took turns to display their talents at the Three Manuel Electronic Organ to play a collection of tunes in honour of Mr. Sackey.

Among the collections played included Back Prelude (BWV553) and Tuba Tune by C.S. Lang; Fugue in G-Major and Fugue in G-Minor by J.S. Bach (BWV 578), as well as the Festive Trumpet Tune by David German and Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke.

Similarly, St. Johns Choir and the St. Joseph the Worker Choir at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Tema Community 8; with the Jubilee Youth Choir, and the Good Shepherd Choir from the Good Shepherd Parish Tema, Com. 2 were in attendance.

The Heaven Jewels Singing Band; Star of the Sea Choir from Takoradi were among a lot of Choirs who performed lively repertoires of songs at the function.

Mr. Sackey later played the organ to accompany the performance staged by the Young Chorale, under the baton of Mr. Edzie, to sing selected G.F. Handel pieces comprising And the Glory, And He Shall Purify and His York is Easy to the admiration of the gathering.

Born in a family of musicians in the 60’s at Sekondi in the Western Region, Mr. Sackey developed love for music, after he was introduced to the piano by his mother (late Mrs. Cecilia Sackey) at age 8. By age 12, Mr Sackey was already a full-fledged organist performing during Mass and other functions.

He has by far taught and worked with over a dozen Choirs and singing band in the Western, and Greater Accra (Tema Metropolis) Regions for more than 40 years.

Mr. Sackey, a product of the St. Mary’s Minor Seminary and Secondary School, Apowa, attended Takoradi Polytechnic, then Institute of Professional Studies and the University of Ghana. He holds an M. Phil. in Music and is a Cambridge University International Examiner in Music and International Baccalaureate Diploma Examination Moderator in Music.

With the honour of preparing hundreds of students for external Music examination over the years, the celebrant, who is currently a Doctoral Student in Business Administration, hinted of plans to establish school to promote the study of sacred music in the Church and society at large.

He believes that music, which enlivens liturgical celebrations and edifies the soul should be encouraged and stimulated in our daily lives.   

In recognition of Mr. Sackey’s enormous contributions to music in the liturgy, Pope Benedict IV honoured him with a Papal Award on 25^th December 2008, which then Archbishop Leon B. Kalenga presented to him in May 2010.

Among dignitaries at the function was Very Rev. Fr. Dr. John K. Louis, a former Administrator of the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, who said the opening prayer.

Mr Sackey with the citation flanked by Mr. Edzie and others.

Fr Cletus Forson marks Silver Jubilee

Scores of Priests, Religious, relatives and well-wishers recently attended a thanksgiving Mass to commemorate the silver jubilee Anniversary of the Priestly ordination of Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus M. Kwame Forson, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Adentan in the Archdiocese of Accra.

Fr Forson, a Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies and Priest-in-charge of the Church was ordained a Priest at Akatsi in then Keta-Ho Diocese on 18^th July 1992.

Preaching the homily, Fr. Appiah who thanked God for the life of Fr. Forson, his parents, relatives and teachers, urged Christians to exercise patience and hasten slowly like God, who allows the weeds planted by the wicked one to grow alongside the good one until the harvest time.

While noting that “Every anniversary is a story,” the homilist explained that anniversaries were an act of thanksgiving to God for all He has done in the lives of an individual or the celebrant.

Fr. Appiah, who recalled some childhood memories of the celebrant, stated that celebrations are happy moments and cause of joy.

He described the celebrants as an opened-person, who is reconciliatory in nature and very understanding.

Concelebrants at the well-attended Mass were Rev. Msgr. Peter Huletey, Vicar General of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese; Rev. Msgr. Vincent Antie, Rector of the Jasikan Diocesan Pastoral Counselling Centre at Nsuta-Buem; as well as Very Rev. Simon Kofi Appiah, Lecture at the University of Cape Coast.

Others Priests included Very Rev. Frs. Michael E. Gbordzor and John Odzamgba, Principal of the Comboni Technical School and Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish at Sogakofe respectively.

In a congratulatory remark, Rev. Msgr. Huletey described Fr. Forson as a Priest “open to goodness and close to evil, urging him to keep it up. He prayed for more glorious years in the priestly ministry of Fr. Forson.  

Fr. Joseph Donkor on behalf of the Buem Priests congratulated Fr Cletus on the occasion and urged him to forged ahead in the Lord who called him to his Priestly ministry.

Similarly, Prof. Albert Puni, Dean of Management Studies at the University of Professional Studies, in a remark commended Fr Forson, whom he referred to as an astute lecturer, for his enormous contributions to development of Ghana and the Church.  

Some chiefs and a queen mother as well as Mr. Kofi Adams, the National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, were among dignitaries who graced the occasion.

At part of the anniversary Fr. Forson’s relative presented a cheque of GH ₵ 3, 000 and vested him with a new vestment and a kente cloth, while the various societies in the Church presented him numerous gifts.

Mr. Raymond Danso, Chairman of the Church Pastoral Council, presenting a citation to Fr. Forson, commended him for the changes and work done within the four months he had been in-charge of the Church. 

“Though, we have been together for barely four months, we have come to love and accept you as our father, brother, priest and friend” the citation captured.

An elated Fr. Forson, thanked his grandparents, parents and relations for the care and support given him throughout his formative years at Tetema-Buem. He also thanked all for contributed to his priestly ministry.

‘Don’t take us for granted’-CHAG cautions

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has called on government not to take for granted the services member facilities of the Association were rendering a large segment of Ghanaians in the rural area.

As provider of over 40 percent of health care in the country, the new Chairperson of the CHAG Board has entreated government as a matter of urgency expedite repayment of the debts owed CHAG Facilities by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Dame Dr. Agatha Ekua Bonney, the CHAG Board Chairperson made the appeal to government interview, highlighting the serious threat the indebtedness was posing to health care provision in rural areas and in the entire country.

She narrated the huge pressure on facilities to pay their suppliers and the shortage of critical medical consumables to help sustain the delivery of health care to Ghanaian.

She described the huge debts of over 13 months as severely hampering the delivery of quality healthcare and demoralizing genuine efforts of many CHAG Facilities dotted around remote areas to provide quality health care.

Dame Dr. Akua Bonney strongly appealed to the Government to as a matter of urgency consider settling the indebtedness of NHIA and ensure the immediate reimbursement to the health facilities for services they were rendering.

She expressed the desire of the Association to continue to dialogue with the government to ensure the settlement of the debts owed its member facilities, while pledging CHAG’s commitment to work with other stakeholders to find lasting solution and sustainable means of funding health care in Ghana. 

“As a Christian association we are unable to lay down our tools due to our principles of compassion to the patient, even though our facilities are really suffering” she echoed, appealing to the Government to consider their plight and ensure that payment were made to save the health facilities from collapsing.      

Funding NHIS

To ensure NHIS is not starved of cash, the CHAG Board Chairperson suggested that NHIS Fund be decoupled from the consolidated fund and used solely for what it was established for.

Given the challenge of the huge indebtedness to health facilities, she observed that ensuring sustainable health funding was paramount, to the delivery of quality health care, which is critical to Ghana’s development.   

Dame Dr. Ekua Bonney, stated that CHAG which started the pilot of project of the health insurance at Nkoranza in the 90s is very much interested in its sustenance, but said if the NHIS were properly managed it would not be facing the challenges it was facing.

“Make NHIS fund work solely as it was set up,” she stressed. 

Vision

The Chairperson said the New Board would work in line with the vision of the founding fathers and ensure that CHAG and its member facilities become the best quality health care delivery centres throughout the country.

Under their three-year mandate, the Chairperson noted that the Board would prioritize patient care and satisfaction in the delivery of quality health care at throughout CHAG member facilities in the country.

She explained further that appropriate patient care and customer satisfaction were a prerequisite in the process of giving holistic healthcare delivery.

As CHAG marks its Golden Jubilee this year, Dame Dr. Ekua Bonney said the association would introduce strategies to improve and uphold high standards of holistic health care to the patient, which includes strengthening staff orientation on the new trends in patient care and customer satisfaction at all levels.

Faced with the hurdle of dwindling donor funds, huge debt of NHIS to facilities and a commitment to continue the provision of quality healthcare delivery; Mr. Sam Sarpong Appiah, Vice Chairperson, shared the vision of the Board to pursue mobilization of fund locally to augment other sources of funds.

He therefore called for a change in mentality and attitude in order to mobilize funds locally to aid the continuous operation of the health facilities in the country.

The Vice Chairperson said the Board vigorously promote prudent financial management regimes of funds and encourage close working relations between facilities and communities in which they operate in to rally support for their growth. 

Poor and sick fund  

In spite of the financial constraints, the Chairperson and the Vice reiterated the fact that most CHAG facilities were doing their best to assist patient meet the cost of treatment through the Poor and Sick Fund they established.

The Board Chairperson pledged CHAG’s committed to continue providing holistic health care delivering, which will offer spiritual, mental and emotional health care that hinges on the tenets of respect for patient’s dignity, and concern for the health needs of clients in a Christ like manner.

New Board members

Among the 16-member Board of CHAG chaired by Dame Dr. Agatha Akua Bonney, assisted by Mr. Sam Sarpong Appiah; as well as Dr. Yao Yeboah; Alex Kofi Osei Owusu, ESQ.; Mr Osei Yaw Asamoa; Mr. Mauurice Adu-Amankwah; and Mr Julius Wellens-Mensah.

Others are Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG; Dr. Elias K. Sory; Joseph A. Aryitey, ESQ.; GEAORGE A. Adjei, ESQ.; Ms. Margaret Mary Alacoque Dapilah, and Dr. Frederick E.M. Kustsienyo, as well as Mr. Lawrence Ofosu Adjare; Mr Enoch Osafo, and Presbyter Jonas Gershon Dzodzodzi.

Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict disrupting school activities

Members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) have raised concerns about the disruption the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict was having on education in the area.

The Jasikan District GNAT Chapter, which registered their displeasure about the grave effect the conflict was having on teaching and learning in the area, expressed worry about the safety and security of their members and pupils in the flash points.

The Teachers however resolved to promote peace among the warring faction and ensure the smooth running of education without any interruption.

These sentiments were contained in a nine-point resolution of the Association at the end of their 5th Quadrennial Conference held at Bueman Senior High School at Jasikan.

Mr. Johnson Tsyawo, Jasikan District Chairman of the Association has strongly advocated for peace between the warring faction and in the Nkonya-Alavanyo, and appealed for urgent support to enable teachers organise sensitisation activities for the people in the area.

Effect of Conflict

According to experts, the conflict has claimed thousands of lives, including parents’ children in schools and some pupils, and brought untold hardship on families in the affected area.

The conflict has heightened the sense of insecurity among teachers and pupils in the area and hampered the teaching and learning activities. The situation according some teachers in the area was intimidating, as classes could be called off anytime the factions start it fighting.

A Teacher at the Nkonya- Kadjebi D/A Primary school told this reporter that both teachers and pupils in the area were now leaving in fear as they do not know when opponents would attack.

Due to this, classes had been called off for some days now, which has affected teaching and learning ever since school reopened this academic term.   

Peace Initiative

Mr. Tsyawo, noted that since the conflict was having adverse effect on education in the Biakoye District and in the Hohoe Municipality, GNAT members in the two catchment areas would collaborate to complement efforts of expert, by engaging the factions in the conflict, to resolve it.

He outlined the move to organize football games and some activities in the flash points of the conflict, to raise the needed awareness of the impact it was having education.

He also suggested that if the situation was seen after their peace initiative, the teachers might consider boycotting classes for some days.

  

Teachers welfare

The Jasikan GNAT District with over 1,430 members, comprising the Jasikan and Biakoye Districts, also appealed to GNAT to ensure that Ghana Education Service fulfills the Welfare Benefits for Teachers who die in active service.

The Teachers also requested the extension of the maternity leave period from 3 to 6 months in line with the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy.

They also called on the education Directorate to stop purchasing test items and allow teachers to set their end of term exams.

Address NHIS Indebtedness crisis urgently-CHAG appeals

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), has appealed to the government and stakeholders to attach a sense of urgency to tackle the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) indebtedness crisis to health facilities and sustain quality healthcare delivery.

The Association called on Civil Society Organisations, and the media to join the campaign to salvage the NHIS and the healthcare system from an eminent collapse.

It would be recall that the indebtedness of NHIS which is in arrears of 12 months was crippling the delivery of quality and efficient healthcare to the poor and vulnerable groups in the country.

Even though the Government recently released 80 million and 76.6 million respectively in February and May as part of a monthly reimbursement plan, the Executive Director for CHAG, Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, noted that the piecemeal token payment for a month of the debt has rather aggravated the condition of CHAG member institutions.

“This has resulted in the incessant harassment from creditors, who throng CHAG facilities a day after the payment was made to demand the debt owed them”, he stated.

Besides, “the current payment mechanism is uncoordinated, irregular, and erratic”, he observed, adding that so far, less than 50 % of the CHAG member facilities have been reimbursed.

He stated that “the current road map of reimbursement which does adequately resource health facilities to safe, quality and essential lifesaving medicines is inconceivable.”

The Director therefore called for a significant and substantial reimbursement to CHAG facilities, covering a period of at least five months to enable the facilities particularly those in the remote areas to continue providing affordable and quality healthcare to the poor, deprived and vulnerable groups in our society.

Given the essential role of NHIS as one of the best social intervention schemes, Mr. Yeboah stated that CHAG has the moral and civic responsibility to collaborate with government to sustain the scheme.  

The Executive Director therefore proposed continuous dialogue between stakeholders to address the challenges of the NHIS, and expressed the hope that as part of the process of reorganising the scheme to make it more responsive, the perspectives of all stakeholders including the clients would be factored in.   

In the face of the challenges, Mr. Peter Yeboah, pledged the commitment of CHAG member facilities to partner government to make quality healthcare available, affordable and more accessible to the good people of Ghana.

Consistent to CHAG’s core values of service and sacrifice, the Executive Director assured the public of the health facilities continuous commitment to provide service to all people irrespective of their socio-economic status and most importantly within the challenges and constraints imposed by the NHIS chronic indebtedness to CHAG member institutions.

*Mr Peter K. Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG

‘Empower PWD’s to be self-reliant'

A girl carrying water by the sign post of Hope for Life.

Ghanaians were recently urged to empower Persons with Disability (PWD’s) generate sustainable means of income to make them self-reliant.

Fr Adrie interacting with some Kights

Calling for a rethink of the assistance given the PWD’s over the years, Rev. Fr. Michael Adrie, SMA, a forma-tor, appealed to stakeholders to offer them support that would sustain their livelihood.

He said assistance advanced to PWD’s should empower and enable them earn decent incomes and be less dependent on others.

He made the remarks recently at a Mass at the Hope for Life, at Gbawe-Zero, in Accra, when members of the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of the St. John International (Commandary # 604 and Auxiliary # 510), Madina, made a donation to the facility.

Fr. Adrie, who expressed gratitude to the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary for their support, appealed for help to revive the bakery and the mushroom projects run by the Hope for Life.

Respected President Vivian Tougan-Klu, and Worthy President Sylvanus Dogbe jointly presented items worth over ₵3,000 to the Hope for Life, and pledge continuous assistance to the Association.

The items included bags of rice, maize and gari, beans, tubers of yam, variety of vegetables, gallons of oil, tin fish, and tin tomatoes and toiletries.       

Respected President Tougan-Klu noted that the gesture was part of the noble order’s commitment to support the running of Hope for Life.

Mr. Kafui Sewor, President of the Hope for Life Association, who received the items on behalf of the members, thanked the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary for their generosity.

Touching on the need to support the PWD’s to be self-reliant, Mr. Sewor appealed for assistance to revamp the bakery and mushroom projects the association was running.  

“We don’t want to rely on handouts anymore. We want you to help us acquire relevant skills to sustain our lives” he stressed.

Mr. Charles Buckle, Coordinator of the Association, entreated the public to support them acquire much more reliable distribution van to distribute the bread and market the products.  

Respected Pres. Tougan-Klu and Worthy Pres. Dogbe presenting the items
to Mr. Sewor. 

CHAG makes distress call to Government

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has sent a distress call to Government to address with dispatch the huge indebtedness of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to its health facilities.

CHAG is a faith-based health network organisation comprising 21 Christian Church denominations and over 183-member health institutions spread throughout the country. Established in 1967, with 25 health institution, the Association which provides about 40 per cent of health care in the country, has most of its facilities located in remote areas, and most of its clients being NHIS subscribers.

According to Mr. Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG, the Scheme owes its facilities over GH¢ 100 million for services rendered to NHIS Members/Clients, spanning over eleven months.

In an interview, he noted with concern that CHAG was overwhelmed by the level of indebtedness, a situation he described as an “eminent humanitarian disaster of massive proportion” if the indebtedness of the Scheme was not addressed in time.

“We have gone beyond our endurance limit,” Mr Yeboah observed, stressing that “the situation is so critical that basic healthcare services to mothers, children, aged, poor, needy and the marginalised are affected.

The Executive Secretary bemoaned the situation where suppliers of medicines and other medical consumables were chasing and pestering the facilities and even threatening legal suits to redeem the amounts owed by facilities.

Elaborating further, he noted that “our suppliers are unwilling to supply us with essential consumables and medicines, our medical equipment are breaking down due to inadequate funds for repairs/maintenance, medical services has become unbearable, with life-saving infrastructures deteriorating”.

Due to this development, he observed that physicians were compelled to issue patients with prescriptions for them to go and buy the medicines from the market.

He said this was seriously affecting the quality of healthcare delivery in the country, adding that it has gotten to the stage where “we are unable to guarantee quality of medicines the patients are buying and taking.”

On Government’s campaign promise to fix the challenges bedeviling the NHIS, the Executive Secretary stated that CHAG appreciates Government’s intention, but expressed worry about the fact that there was no road map of repayment plan and settling the debts owed the health facilities three months after the new administration took reins of governance.

He noted that CHAG was more worried about the collateral damage the indebtedness was having on the health care system in the country, as well as the dire consequences it has on the economy, if the situation persists.

As a result of these months of indebtedness to service providers, Mr Yeboah observed that there was a “gradual loss of confidence in the health system, as patients, NHIS members/clients are losing hope in health care delivery.”

He said what was needed now was an urgent action by Government to salvage the health system from an eminent collapse by settling the debts owed by the NHIS to service providers.  

Mr. Yeboah called for an end to the chronic NHIS indebtedness, urging Government to make exigent intervention to restore the health system.

DO WE EVEN CARE?

I can sense a gradual build up of public mistrust in our political and criminal justice system.
The greed and dishonesty of MOST of our political elites is hurting the trust of many.
The selfishness of MOST of our religious leaders is seriously eroding the trust of many in religious affairs and affecting their faith in God.
The self-centeredness of MOST of our business owners and the quest to make profit at all cost is horrifying.
The lack of care in MOST of our Health centres and Charity homes is depressing and disappointing.
The rate of unemployment and the misbehaviour of MOST middlemen or job owners, who take undue advantage of the unemployed or job seekers is disturbing.
The frustrations many go through to acquire passport and other essential services from state agencies is perplexing.
The wanton destruction to our environment in our quest to exploit the natural resource deposits, is unprecedented and terrifying.

CULTURE OF DEATH
The daily report of deaths of our compatriots in bizarre circumstances that could have been avoided;
The general neglect, and benign inaction of those paid with our taxes, to take CARE of our safety and their incorrigible attitude to responsive action is sickening.
The least said about the loss of 58 Ghanaians to CSM; the lives claimed in the June 3rd 2015 event; the Kintampo water falls disaster and the numerous needless accidents that waste precious lives and maim many others on a daily basis is just appalling and nauseating.
The increasing suicide and homicide cases in our communities is upsetting and just shows that we don't even Care.

CULTURE OF IMPUNITY
The era where we pamper these vigilante groups for their deeds and misdeeds is worrying.
The situation where we free wrong doers who are well connected and excessively punish those who commit similar or minor crimes is unfortunate and troubling.

THE SUBTLE SIGNALS
The way we vent our anger on alleged thieves (mob justice) in our society is a subtle sign of the lethal rage in people waiting to explode one day.
The general public's out cry demonstrated during the Marwako episode is a subtle sign of a deep seated anger in people.
The diplomatic campaign against the galamsey conundrum or enigma is a subtle sign of how livid people are.
And the low turn out in our general elections is a subtle sign of the low confidence people have in our political system.

ARE WE TAKING OURSELVES FOR GRANTED?

The tendency to take ourselves for granted in this country is disquieting.
Often times, we hear politicians downplaying public agitations or concerns of people and contending that the dust will soon settle.
Our being a peaceful people or nation, managing the 'smooth' transfer of power between the two major parties should not make us too complacent.
Perhaps me think the work of the Peace Campaigners should continue to foster fairness and unity in our development, instead of they going to sleep only for them to resurrect during an elections year.

LEST WE FORGET

Lest we forget the events that led to the 1948 riots in the Gold Coast.

Lest we forget the fate of the former President of Burkina Faso.

Lest we forget to take ourselves serious and address the issues that affect our collective interest.

Lest we forget to value the people who elected us.

Lest we forget to be the CARING PEOPLE we ought to be.

Lest we forget our history and the people we are.

Lest we forget to pray and act fairly towards each other.

May God bless our Homeland Ghana.

#IstillCare#

St Joseph Hospital exonerated

The St. Joseph Orthopaedic Hospital, Effiduase, Koforidua.

The St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase in the Koforidua Dioceses has been cleared of allegations that staff of the facility extorted monies from patients under the Operation Walk Syracuse.

In a release by the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) on the findings, it described the allegations by the media, as unfounded and malicious to the integrity, image and reputation of the St Joseph Hospital.

The findings further asserted that no payment or donation of US$ 100,000 was ever made to the St Joseph Hospital towards the surgical operations.

Background

Following media allegations of extortion of monies from patient under the American Charity-Operation Walk Syracuse, by staff of the St. Joseph Orthopaedic Hospital at Koforidua in August 2016, then Minster of Health, Hon. Alex Segbefia, directed the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to conduct full scale investigation.

Consequently, the Chairman of the CHAG Board set up a seven-member Committee which was inaugurated on 24^th August 2016, with Mr. Christopher Nartey, a retired Director of Administration at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as its Chairman to look into the matter.

The release signed by Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, Executive Director of CHAG, further stated that beneficiary patients received free echocardiogram, x-rays and other laboratory tests, all at the expense of the hospital.

The findings noted that patients paid GH₵1000 each for the procedures, which comparatively cost about GH₵ 55,000 in most hospitals in Ghana.

CHAG also to announced that the Patients who benefitted from the operation are now healthy, happy, and enjoying functional mobility as independent persons.

The release announced that the American Charity-Operation Walk Syracuse is returning to the same Hospital-St Joseph Hospital-Effiduase-Koforidua in October this year, for another batch of humanitarian and restorative surgeries to the poor and needy.

CHAG called on the general public to support CHAG Member Institutions in preserving, promoting and protecting health and healing at all times, anywhere and to every person.

The Association further appealed to stakeholders to appreciate efforts of CHAG Health Facilities, including St Joseph Hospital-Koforidua, that collaborate with Stakeholders to provide such charitable works of mercy for humanity not condemnation.

The Association assured the general public that the Hospitals still upholds Christian ideals of service and sacrifice and maintains their fidelity to the sick and suffering, poor and needy, neglected and marginalized segment of the society.

Meanwhile, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, in a separate interview alongside the World Day of the Sick at the Hospital said the allegation were unfounded and malicious.

He cautioned Journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and do well to investigate the matter to its conclusive end.

Similarly, Mr. Valentine Bruku, Administrator of the Hospital assured patients and clients of the facility that the management and staff of St. Joseph Hospital were committed to delivering quality healthcare to the.

He therefore appealed to all staff and patrons to support the growth of the facility.

‘Make patient care utmost priority’-Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum

The award winners and dignitaries at the function

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, has challenged health workers in the country to give quality care to sick people who visit the hospitals to access health care.

He entreated them to treat every patient with dignity and respect, and serve the sick from the depth of their hearts with compassion.

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum with Mr. Kpesesse
and Dr. Mantey interacting 

The Bishop said these during the joint Accra Archdiocese and Koforidua Diocesan launch of the 25^th World Day of the Sick at the St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase-Koforidua.

The message was based on the theme: Amazement of what God has one for me: Amazement of what God has accomplished: The Almighty has done great things for me (Luke 1:49).

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum, who read the Pope’s message for the occasion, urged health workers to be active in the care they give to the sick at all times.

Mr. Victus K. Kpesese, Executive Secretary for Health in Koforidua Diocese, urged the various departments at the facilities to be interested in monitoring their performances, adding that whatever we do should be directed at saving lives.

He advised facilities going paperless to get a strong IT system to safeguard the data they feed into the system.

On motivation for staff, he urged management of the various facilities to go beyond salaries and opportunities to upgrade staff but also recognize for good efforts of their staffs.

Mrs. Attipoe Bempong, representative of the Eastern Regional Director of Health stated the need for health workers to have compassion for patient in order to better serve them.

Speaking on how to avoid diabetes, she urged Ghanaians to watch their what they eat and their eating habit, and stressed the essence to eat a lot of balance diet with fruits and vegetables.

She urged Ghanaians to inculcate regular exercise habits, avoid smoking and excessive drinking and adopt health lifestyle.

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum blessing the sick

Mrs. Bempong urged people diagnosed of the disease, not to worry because it could be managed, entreating them to visit health facilities to seek care.            

Nana Ampem Frempomah I, Nkosuohene of Effiduase-Koforidua, who chaired the launch commended the Catholic Church for its strive in health care delivery in the area and the in the country as a whole, on the government to revamp and improve upon the NHIS to help more people access health care.

She called on Ghanaians to clean rid and rid their environment of filth to promote healthy living.

In attendance at the function was the all-male Choir of the Pope John Minor Seminary and Senior High School, who entertained the guest at the programme.

Dr. Ebenezer Akrofi-Mantey, Medical Officer of the St. Joseph Hospital was adjudged the winner of the Koforidua Diocesan Health Excellence Awards, for his exceptional dedicated service over the years, while Dr. Kofi Effah, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Catholic Hospital of Battor named the winner for the Accra Archdiocesan Health Excellence Awards.      

On behalf of the awardees, Dr. Mantey thanked God, the hospital management and the Koforidua Diocese for the honour and recognition of their efforts.

He also thanked the staff who he works with and his family, entreated the staff to be diligent and keep working hard, adding that in all their edeavours and work, one day they would be recognize and they would receive a just reward.

In a welcome address, Mr. Valentine Bruku, Director of the Hospital, stated that launch has brought the health facilities together as one family, to share in the vision of utmost and holistic patient care.

He expressed the hope that health workers would reflect on the theme and imbibe its meaning to their daily work.

Present at the programme were section of the patients at the facility, who praised the hospital staff for the great work they were doing to care for them.

In attendance was the Pope John Seminary and Senior High School Choir who sang medleys of songs to spice up the programme.

The front view of the St. Joseph Hospital.

     

Going places

Lovely sunset at Tarkwa

Market scenes at Tarkoradi

Section of a polluted Odaw river somewhere
at Dzowulo, Accra 

One Tyre operators at Kasoa