Women Empowerment is Paramount

The Graduands

Rev. Bro. Bartholomew Kamara, Provincial Superior of the St. Augustine Province of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St John of God Congregation, has underscored the need to invest in women economic empowerment programme in Africa.

He said economic empowerment project aimed at helping empower women to become self-reliant in taking care of their children was key.

“In life, someone has to support you to get somewhere,” he observed, adding that empowering anyone was the best thing to do.

He made the remarks during the graduation of 13 women who had skill training under the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women instituted by the St. Augustine Province of Africa of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St. John of God at Amrahia, Accra.

Bro. Kamara (R) presenting a Certificate to one of the women.

To sustain the project, Bro. Kamara appealed to the Ministry of Health and the public to support the programme to reach out to more women and urged the beneficiaries to stay focus and persevere in order to make a difference in their own lives.

The women who were presented with certificates and materials to start up graduated after six-month of intensive training in bead making, bleach and liquid soap making as well as how to make key holders, bracelets, necklaces, and paper bags among others.

The Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, which is under the auspices of the Curia of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Hospitaller Brothers, is an intervention to equip women to gain skills and empower them economically to able to cater for themselves and their children.

Some of the beneficiaries showcasing their wares.

According to Ms. Evelyn Agyemang, Nursing Manager of the Hospital, during the routine visit of the Public Health Nurses to surrounding communities under the catchment area of the Hospital, they observed the situation of many unemployed single mothers with malnourished children. 

Besides, most of the mothers who sought treatment at the Hospital were unable to foot the medical bills, thus burdening the facility.

To address this challenge, the Provincial Superior, the Curia and the St. John of God Hospital Management at Amrahia, introduced the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women to support women become self-reliant and to provide nutritious meals to their children.

Mrs. Marian Adeyemi, Project Officer of the programme who observed that efforts were underway to improve the programme to enable more women benefit from it, said the second phase would soon start.

Meanwhile, the Financial Controller of the St. Augustine Province, Mr. Valentine K. Bruku, who hinted of a possible replication of the programme in 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.

Madam Vivian Hodgson, Public Health Nurse at the Adentan Municipal Health Directorate, who represented the Municipal Health Director, commended the St. John of God for the project, geared towards empowering women.

A section of the beneficiaries. 

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Belinda Gyduaa, thanked the Provincial Superior of the Congregation, their teachers as well as the Hospital Management for thinking of them and opening their doors to them.

Likewise, Madam Gina Senanu, Class Prefect of the trainees, made a presentation to their teachers and thanked them for their patience and commitment to impart in their lives.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight about the training and promised to put what they have learned into good use.

Fr. Tseggai celebrated

Fr. Tseggai (2nd R) with other Priests

The National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) in Accra, has honoured Rev. Fr. Kibrom Tseggai, a Consultant on Records and Information Management, working on the records of the NCS, who recently marked his 40^th Anniversary of priestly ordination.  

Ms. Ladje Vondee, Human Resource Manageress and Administrator of the NCS, who presented a parcel to Fr. Tseggai on the occasion of his 40^th Priestly anniversary, at a thanksgiving Mass, acknowledging his tireless service to the Church.

An elated Fr. Tseggai, who thanked the NCS for the honour, called for a serious policy to guide the preservation of records in the country.

He bemoaned the little attention given to the sector of information and record storage, and called for investment in the area to manage, and ensure the training of personnel in proper record keeping and preservation of documents. 

“With requisite investment in the record preservation and quality data management,” he expressed optimism that Africa countries could speed up the rate of their development since there was ready access to credible data and information.

Fr. Tesggai, who was ordained Priest on 3^rd December 1978 in Asmara, the Eritrean Capital, had served in various capacities as Assistant Parish Priest, Coordinator of Relief and Rehabilitation Development in Keren Zone, and Parish Priest at Boggu. 

He was also onetime Editor of the National Catholic Newspaper Haqin Hiwetin from February 1999 to September 2001 in Eritrea.

Ms. Vondee making the presentation to Fr. Tseggai

Prior his assignment fideum donum to work in the Archdiocese of Accra in November 2010, Fr. Tseggai had studied at the University of Ghana.

In a brochure to mark his 40^th Priestly Anniversary, titled ‘The Journey So Far’, he shared some near-death experiences in the course of his priestly life and noted that his secret has been his unflinching faith in God.

He urged Priests to trust God, and be committed to the work they do no matter how insignificant they may be, adding that the priesthood is a call to service by carrying ones cross following in the steps of Christ.

Commending Fr. Tseggai’s for his steadfast love and passion for his ministry, Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the NCS, noted that 40 years in the priesthood was grace. “The celebrant has gone through a lot in his priestly ministry”, he said, thanking him for his dedication, and commitment in his ministry.

Marshallans assist Centre of Hope

The Council 74 and Court 67 of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, has handed over a newly constructed Female and Male washroom to the Centre of Hope, a Catholic charity organisation at Abossey Okai, Accra.

The project estimated at a cost of GH¢ 37,244.58, was part of the Annual Charity programme of the Order aimed at supporting the Centre and its patrons access a good place of convenience.

Bro. Edward Agbeyome Grand Knight of Council 74, together with Sis. Akanbee Agamu Asokea, Noble Lady of Court 67, thanked members of the Order and their benefactors through whose support the project was completed.

He noted that the project, undertaken by the Grand Knight and Noble Lady of the 17^th administration, was the fruit of collaboration with Centre of Hope, after they (leaders of the Order) engaged Sr. Colette Mwaakpaar, FMM, Administrator of the Centre, who enumerated a number of needs of the Centre, and settled on washroom project.

Sis. Asokea assured of their continued support to the Centre, noted that some members of the Order would look at ways to assist the Centre to erect a security post.

Recounting the history of the Centre, Prof. Edmund Delle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre of Hope, stated that the Centre was established in 1990 by Most Rev. Dominic K. Andoh of Blessed Memory to serve the needs of the poor, needy, the sick, invalid and the vulnerable groups in the city.

“The Centre had lived this mission of care and inspiring hope, through the support of the people of faith over the years” he stated, and commended the Marshallans for building a beautiful edifice for the Centre.

Similarly, Sr. Colette who thanked the Marshallans for their commitment to building the project, appealed to the Order to further extend their assistance to the Centres numerous project.

She expressed the hope that the Order and other benevolent organisations, would continue to support the Centre to serve the poor and needy.   

Prepare Students for life

The Participant with dignitaries at the function

Very Rev. Fr. Joseph K. Nsiah, Vicar General of Jasikan Diocese, has appealed to teachers not to only teach their pupils and students for exams but to prepare them for life.

Describing teachers as agents for change and development, he entreated them not to be content with they already know but to improve and update their knowledge in order to enhance their delivery.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a month-long in-service training programme for teachers from the eight political districts under the Jasikan District, at the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre, Nsuta-Buem 

The in-service training, the second of its kind in the Diocese aimed at improving educational standards in the eight Districts, was organized by the Jasikan Diocesan Development Office, with sponsorship from Manos Unidas-Spain

Fr. Nsiah, citing the example of Japan and other countries, making through investment in their human resources, called for the same investment in teachers and students in the country, stressing the need for supervision for teachers to deliver.

To make this a reality, Mr. Innocent Bediako, Nkwanta North District Director of Education, also tasked teachers to stay committed to their profession and impact positively in the lives of their pupils and students.

He challenged teachers to add value to themselves, accept posting to deprived communities and share knowledge with their colleagues in order to give off their best at all stages of education to help groom good citizens for the country.

Similarly, Mr. Lawrence Aziale, Jasikan District Chief Executive, who commended the Jasikan Diocese for the project, observed that in-service training was critical for teachers to sharpen their tools in order to deliver.

He also urged teachers to appreciate their profession, motivate themselves, as well as encourage each other, and explore their environment and make the best of the opportunities there.  

In line with its vision for education, he said the District has established Scholarship schemes for Teachers and Best graduating students in the District to pursue further studies at the University.

Speaking on the theme: Education-Tool for Change for Development, Mr. Linus Attey, a retired educationist, noted that policy and administrative inconsistencies were affecting education delivering in the country.

He, therefore, called on stakeholders to rededicate themselves for the betterment of education in the country, urging the Government to ensure the completion of all uncompleted school buildings, and the provision of Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) on time.

To ensure the attainment of quality and responsive education, Mr. Attey also called for the motivation of teachers to give off their best, while urging the teachers to accept posting to rural areas.

Some participants who spoke to the Catholic Standard expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the programme notes that the training would go a long way to impact on their delivery in their respective schools.

The Science teachers, who were taken through the training in the first week were able to find simple innovative ways of developing mirror periscope, osmosis, and diffusion experiment with local materials. 

Fr. Pius Biamse, Director Diocesan Development Office noted that the in-service training for the 480 teachers of Science, Mathematics, English, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) was to support teachers at the basic school level and hone their skills with innovative ways teach the pupils.

He thanked Most Rev. Gabriel A.A. Mante, Bishop of the Diocese, as well as Seth Appiah and Josephine Sika who supports him at the Development Office.       

Among dignitaries’ present were some chiefs and Rev. Msgr. Vincent Antie, Director of the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre.

Be wary of land grabbers

Chiefs and stool heads have been urged to be wary of multinational companies and their cohorts who seek to buy large tracts of their lands.

Nana Tidibo

Nana Tidibo Kowura Odamba II, Paramount Chief of Ntroboman Traditional Area in the Nwanta South District of the Volta Region, advised the chiefs and those responsible for the lands in their communities, stressing that they should opt for a partnership instead of the outright sale of the lands.

He made the remarks as part of in-service training for teachers in the Jasikan Diocese at Nsuta-Buem.

“When you sell your land, you have sold your treasure and mortgage the future of your children” he stated, adding that the best they should do is to lease the land instead of selling the land.

Nana Odamba said since “our land belongs to our ancestors, the living and our descendants”, there was no need selling it outright in a way that deprives future children access to the land for their use.

He shared the bitter experience how one multinational company “led by our own people” and with the promise to develop his paramountcy got 3750 hectares of land, paying a paltry sum of $5 per acre per year.

He commended the Africa Network for Justice (AFNJ) for helping them in trying to rectify the irregularities in the agreement signed for the land.

With his experienced, he advised the Chiefs and stool heads in the country to be cautious of people who might front for some multinational groups in need of land to buy. “Please do not sell your lands” he pleaded.

Likewise, Mr. Wisdom Koffi Adjawlo, Programme Director of the Youth Volunteer in Environment, Ghana, speaking on the land grabbing, noted that the issue poses a huge threat to eradicating hunger and ending poverty as well as meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

H said there was a need for stakeholders to take action in tackling land grabbing and enrich their knowledge on the issue in order to address it.

“We need to cherish what we have,” he said, adding that we all have a role to play in our own small ways to preserve our land and ensure food sovereignty that would eventually help us end poverty.

Other speakers including the Mr. Lawrence Aziale, District Chief Executive for Jasikan, added their voices to calls for traditional leaders not to sell land, adding they could at best enter into a partnership with the investors who might want to buy their land.

New Choir Robes for St. Matthew Choir

Mr. Ansah with Fr. Bempah and the Choristers 

A new set of choir robes has been presented to the St. Mathew Adult Choir at Tarkwa by a parishioner of the Church at a thanksgiving Mass. 

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ansah, who made the donation to the Choir, said the gesture was in appreciation to God for the care and healing of Mr. Samuel Ansah, who was taken ill in the last two years.

Mr. Ansah who narrated his near-death ordeal including the harrowing pain, discomfort and the burden of managing the sickness over two-years told the Catholic Standard he was grateful for what God has done for him through those trying moments.

As a sign of thanksgiving, his family presented the robes to support the Choir in their singing ministry.

Alongside the new robes, the Ansah family also provided 75 branded T-Shirts for the Youth Choir and 40 capes to the Singing Band at the Church.

  

Tarkwa St. Theresa marks 25th Milestone

The St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society at the St. Matthew Parish, Tarkwa in the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese has climaxed its Silver Jubilee celebration with a thanksgiving Mass, amidst pomp and pageantry.

Rev. Fr. Felix Bempah, CSJ, Assistant Parish Priest at the St. Michael Parish, Bogoso, who commended the society for its role in the Church, urged the faithful apply God’s grace in their live judiciously.

He explained that God’s grace is an unmerited favour to mankind through the merciful love of God, stressing that “without God’s grace, we are nothing”.

Members of St. Theresa Society in procession 

As missionaries missioned to our families, spouses and children, Fr. Bempah entreated the faithful to utilise the grace in doing God’s work, be good servants to their families, and to the Church.

Sharing his missionary experiences in Ecuador with the faithful, the Celebrant acknowledged that although there were challenges in one’s missionary work, like Apostle Paul he assured Christians that God’s grace was sufficient for them.

He, therefore, urged the faithful to always draw closer to God with a sincere heart, by praying regularly and constantly reading the Word of God. 

Obaapaynin Agatha Ama Sarfo-Ababio, a former National President of the Society, and the first President of the Tarkwa Branch of the Society recounted the initiative and inspiration of the late Most Rev. Charles Kweku Sam, then Bishop Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese and Rev. Msgr. Francis Yaw Tewiah, then Parish Priest of the St. Matthew Church, led to the establishment of the society at the Church on 4^th April 1992.

A section of the Members at the Mass

She noted that the Society which started with 35 members now boast of 100 dedicated members, and 12 distant members, with 75 percent of the members being communicant.

Obaapaynin Sarfo-Ababio, who commended members for their dedication and commitment over past two and half decades, urged them to continue working together to double their efforts and ensure the growth of the society in the years ahead. 

The Society, aside opening numerous branches of the Society in the Tarkwa and Asankragwa Deaneries, as well as parts of the Wiawso Diocese, the Tarkwa branch has produced two Diocesan Presidents out of the 10 Diocesan Presidents and a National President of the Society.

Over the years, the society beside its spiritual activities, has been a pacesetter in enriching the presentation of offertory gifts at Mass, provision of vestments for the Altar Servers at the Church and other Parishes, supporting the vocation of Priests and Religious in the Diocese and beyond, as well as orphanages and the Tarkwa Government Hospital.

Obaapanyin Sarfo-Ababio and leaders with the Priests 

Opanyin Charlotte Bissah Osei, President of the Society at Tarkwa, who thanked God for the countless blessings on the society over the 25 years, extolled the members for their commitment and support to the growth of the society.

She noted that the society was poised to surmount its challenges and remain vibrant in serving God and mankind, and encouraged members to be resolute and continue in their efforts.

As part of the anniversary, the Society initiated 56 Little Flowers (young members of the Society), elevated 10 dedicated members of the Society to the honorary status of past Presidents, and presented a citation to Mr. Patrick Addae, the longest-serving patron of the society.

The Society which organised Novena on the theme: "We did not choose you but you chose us to go and bear fruits” John 15:16, offered prayers for the souls of the 11members and two patrons of the society.

At the Mass, the Society made a presentation of a five burner gas cooker, blender and other kitchen wares, valued at GH ¢5,000 to the Parish.

Little Flowers of the Society

Among dignitaries present at a reception to climax the celebration were Rev. Frs. Anthony Nii Noi Dowuona, Pastor of the St. Matthew Parish; Michael Blay-Morkeh, Spiritual Director of the Society and Anthony Arkesson, Member of the Society.

Others were Opanyin Augustina Abieku, Diocesan President of the Society.

                                                 

    

Search for alternative Parkinson’s Disease treatment underway

Research is underway to test the viability of natural plant-Mucuna pruriens (velvet beans) as a cost-effective alternative to Parkinson disease treatment in Ghana.

Mucuna Pruriens (MP) a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia, widely reputed for its medicinal prowess, has 7% levodopa in its seed, which is an important medication for Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Momodou Cham, Medical Director of St. Anne’s Polyclinic at Tagadzi in the Volta Region and lead researcher undertaking the studies in Ghana, expressed his readiness to share the findings with Ghanaians after the end of the study.  

He observed that the antiparkinson medication levodopa, which is given to patients to manage the disease, in Ghana cost between $21 and $62, which was beyond the means of most patients.

He shared news about the ongoing study with a team at the Richard Norvati Memorial Hospital, Sogakope in the Volta Region, during a recent presentation to Parkison’s Disease Support Group in Ghana at the Baptist House at Abelenkpe in Accra.

Members of the Support Group who welcomed the news were optimistic that the outcome of the research could contribute to saving patients some monies in managing the disease.

At the moment, the cost of treating Parkinson’s disease in Ghana, which is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme is expensive and a drain on patients’ resources.

Mr. Jervis Djokoto, founder of the Support Group in Ghana, was hopeful that the finding of the studies could greatly help patients who spend a monthly average of GH ¢3,000 on treatment.

Having been diagnosed with the disease in 2003, Mr. Djokoto said he was spurred to start the Support Group in Ghana, after experiencing what the support group in the US was doing.

The group, he explains was basically a gathering of patients, care providers and resources persons who meet regularly to share their experiences and knowledge of the disease. 

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is a long-term neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. Though its cause is generally unknown, experts link it to both genetic and environmental factors.

According to reports, of the 6.2 million people with the disease in 2015, about 117,400 died globally. It is a fact that, Males are more often affected than females.

Symptoms include slowness of movement, rigidity or stiffness of muscles, freezing, constipation depression, and swallowing disorder among others, but Dr. Cham, noted that tremor was not a cardinal sign of the disease.

Dr. Charm who bemoaned the fact that there was low awareness of the disease in the country, said those above 60 years were more at risk of getting the disease.

Studies in other parts of the world including Bolivia show that the Mucuna pruriens variant utilis is safe for use and an alternative to over the counter levodopa.

‘Create more opportunities for Ghanaians’

The Ghana Government has been challenged to create more opportunities for young Ghanaians to get jobs that would enable them to live in dignity.

Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat, bemoaned the spate of illegal migration in the country, resulting in the death of many young people, and stated that more access to jobs in the country, could curb the incidence of illegal migration by the youth.

He stressed that the youth embarking on these perilous journeys could stay in Ghana if the state had created more opportunities for unemployed youth in the country.

He made this observation during the recent launch of a National Migration Project and the Outdooring of the Caritas Ghana Strategic and Advocacy Plan.

Commenting on the migration, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary for Caritas Ghana, said though not a new phenomenon, there was a need to pay attention to the issue of risks associated with it.

He expressed worry about the hazards and death of most of the irregular migrants on their unsafe routes across the Sahara Desert through the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

With Brong Ahafo region noted for high irregular migrants in Ghana, Mr. Akologo stated that the Caritas Ghana is working with Caritas Techiman Diocese and the Catholic Relief Service to implement a two-year pilot service delivery programme for potential, irregular and returned migrants in Nkoranza and Techiman.

The project, he explains, seeks to curb the incidence of irregular migration, through social change behaviour communication strategies, provision of trauma awareness and resilience services as well as the establishment of the regional referral system, among others.

Titled Regional Right to Roam, Return and Rest (R5), the project will also provide technical/vocational and life skills training geared to support potential migrants in transits and returned migrants. 

Ambassador William Awinador-Kanyirige, Chairman of the function called on the government to cut down waste in the public sector in order to create more opportunities of employment for the youth. 

At the lunch, the two planning documents of Caritas Ghana: Medium Term Programme Critical Pathways (Strategic Framework): 2017-2021 and the Catholic Community Agenda for Change (C2 AGENDA4CHANGE) Advocacy Plan: 2017-2021, were unveiled.

Reexamine mindset on Charity-Archbishop Naameh

To promote the mission of charity in Ghana, Most Rev. Philip Naamh, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference called on the Church to show leadership in championing charity works.

He made the called in Accra during the opening of the National Conference on Integral Human Development, on the theme “The Church in Ghana Today, and the Promotion of Integral Human Development (IHD): Rethinking and Reconstructing, Commitments, Approaches, and Institutional Development.”

In appealing to Prelates to embrace emerging trends in the Church’s service of Charity, Archbishop Naameh, urged all to reexamine certain mindsets about the charity of the Church.

“Be bold to re-examine the structures in the light of the Church’s teaching, reforms and demands from the people we serve for greater professionalism, good governance, transparency, and accountability,” he stated.

“Let us examine them in the context of global best practices, discourses, and approach to human development” the Archbishop added.

The Vice-Rector of St. Victor’s Major Seminary, Tamale, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Daniel F. Saaka, speaking on Integral Human Development: Signs of the Time with the Mid of Pope Francis, called for fairer policies and ensure that no one is left behind in development programmes.

In reechoing the pontiff’s views on poverty, characterised by suffering, marginalization, oppression, war, medical emergencies, shortage of work, and forced migration, he said the integral human development concept should ensure that the needs of Ghanaians in access to education, healthcare, water, food, justice, and decent work are catered for.

He called for proper Church-state collaboration to draw regulation to curtailed the social evils of corruption, selfishness, pride, greed, and injustice, which make our leaders insensitive to the sufferings of the poor and the vulnerable as well as exacerbate their plights.

The Technical Advisor to the Senior Minister, Mr. Robert Poku Kyei, outlined the government’s policies including the institution of public sector reforms to enhance efficient service delivery in the country.

He commended the Church for its role in integral development over the years and urged her to continue supporting government tackle sanitation and land degradation problems, as well as keep working with the government to enact policies to the benefit of the people.

Acknowledging the fact that the Church and state are condemned to work together, Ambassador William Awinador-Kanyirige, Chairman for the launch said the Church should leverage the knowledge and know-how to ensure that no one was left behind in her pursuit of integral development.

The Ambassador urged Caritas Ghana to link up with the laity in order to promote integral development in the country.

The three-day Conference which brought together Diocesan Development Officers all over the country, and Prelates as well as partners in the development, was organised by Caritas Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference. 

CHAG supports St. Monica's Clinic

*Mr. Yeboah presenting the presenting the item to Fr. Adarkwah

The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), has made a presentation to the St. Monica Clinic & Maternity at Aakyem-Sekyere in the Koforidua Diocese, to facilitate healthcare delivery in the area.

Among the items donated were a motorbike, a public address system, boxes of facemasks, practical guide book and Educational Materials on mental health.

The Executive Director for CHAG, Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, said the donation with funding from UKAID, was to help in the delivery of mental health services in the catchment area.

He noted that CHAG has over the past five years been promoting awareness on mental health in the country, and commended efforts by personals at the Clinic in championing mental health service.

Madam Serwah. 

Expressing worry about the 98% treatment gap of mental health illness in the country, Mr. Yeboah called for increased awareness on mental health disease, more access to mental health services, and a reduction in the stigma attached to mental health patients.

The Senior Physician Assistant at the St. Monica Clinic, Afua Serwaah Bonsu, who jointly received the items with Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Adarkwah, Chaplain of the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw, thanked the Executive Director for honouring his promise to support the facility.

She said the items which came handy, would go a long way to help in health delivery, especially in the area of mental health service, adding that the support has boosted their moral to work hard.

Similarly, Fr. Adarkwah who blessed the items, thanked CHAG for the support. 

Madam Eunice Aidoo, Acting District Coordinator for Mental Health, observed that schizophrenia and epilepsy were prevalent in the area, and entreated families and the society to provide social support to persons with mental illness.