VOL. 82 NO. 34 Electronic Edition GHANA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY ESTD. IN 1938 SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 PRICE GH¢2.00 WHO Head in Support Of Pope Francis’s Call For Vatican To Global Access To Vaccine Resume See page 3 Public Wild Polio Eradicated Audiences From Ghana, Africa Story on page 3 Amid Virus COVID-19 Crisis Risks Recovery ‘Shrinking Civil Society’, Pope Francis See back page Says Catholic Aid Agency See page 3 CARITAS GHANA LAUNCHES COVID-19 Pandemic with around Agbogbloshie. Employment and Market According to him, the Stabilization measures is grant is to assist Caritas Ghana being funded by the German to: ONE MILLION C o r p o r a t i o n f o r a. Support 'The Positive International Cooperation Action for Porter Girls’ ( G I Z ) , a G e r m a n (PAPG), a non-governmental Development Agency. organisation which provides The project will be health care and support for implemented in the Accra porter girls in the form of skill and Tamale Archdiocese in training, the production of soap CEDI COVID-19 response to the Ghana and information on COVID-19. C a t h o l i c B i s h o p s ' b. Focus on the City of Conference's response plan God project in Agbogbloshie, to the COVID-19 pandemic Accra by providing shelter for t o c o m p l e m e n t t h e fire victims, evening classes, Government's efforts in this increase the capacity of the EMERGENCY regard. tailoring/sewing training centre Speaking at the launch, of the Peace Adult Evening the Executive Secretary of School to produce "mouth and By Doreen Darko Caritas Ghana, Mr. Samuel nose protection masks" to Zan Akologo, said the generate income for the a r i t a s G h a n a h a s project covers long-term beneficiaries. launched a one million s o c i a l i m p a c t c. Create more awareness RESPONSE Ccedi programme to lessen entrepreneurial activities to on the collection of e-waste and the humanitarian consequences of help improve rapidly and the establishment of a pre- the COVID-19 pandemic on the sustainably, the economic processing plant for Plastic vulnerable in the country, situation of people affected Waste in the Archdiocese of focusing on sustainable economic by the pandemic particularly Tamale which is expected to development measures. Small and Medium Scale generate approximately 25 The project which aims at Enterprises (SMEs) on the sustainable jobs for residents PROJECT Tackling Economic Impact of the local markets, for example Continued on back page 2 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020

CATHOLIC Christian Charity is not Simple Philanthropy: World News Pope Francis Charity is always the high road of families and the communities who the journey of faith, of the suffered the greatest devastation “ A n d t h e perfection of faith. But it is that they may go ahead in Church goes forward necessary that works of solidarity, solidarity and hope”, hoping “that always on the basis of the works of charity that we carry t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n m i g h t hristian charity is more Peter's faith, that faith out, not divert us from contact with accelerate so that the people might t h a n s i m p l e that Jesus recognises the Lord Jesus.” return to live serenely in this philanthropy, Pope C [in Peter] and which After the Angelus, Pope beautiful territory of the Apennine Francis said in his Angelus makes him the head of Francis observed that August 24 Hills.” address on August 24. the Church.” marks the 10th anniversary of the He expressed his solidarity Speaking from a window R e f e r r i n g t o massacre of 72 migrants by a drug with Catholics in Cabo Delgado, overlooking the St. Peter's Square, Jesus' question to the cartel in the municipality of San the northernmost province of he said “Christian charity is not Apostles: “And you, Fernando, in the Mexican state of Mozambique, which has suffered simple philanthropy but, on the who do you say I Tamaulipas. intense violence at the hands of one hand, it is looking at others am?” he offered an “They were people from through the eyes of Jesus Himself Islamists. answer. various countries who were looking The Pope also greeted and, on the other hand, seeing for a better life. I express my W e m u s t families from Carobbio degli Jesus in the face of the poor.” *Pope Francis waves from his solidarity with the families of the respond not with “a Angeli, a comune in the province “To confess Jesus is a grace window overlooking St. Peter's Square during victims who today are still asking theoretical answer, of Bergamo in the northern Italian of the Father. To say that Jesus is an Angelus address for truth and justice regarding the but one that involves region of Lombardy, who had the Son of the living God, who is events. The Lord will hold us to faith,” he explained, listening to the Redeemer, is a grace that we H e s a i d : “ W i t h t h i s account for all of the migrants who made a pilgrimage to Rome in “the voice of the Father and its must ask for: 'Father, give me the affirmation, Jesus makes Simon have fallen on their journey of memory of coronavirus victims. consonance with what the Church, grace of confessing Jesus.'” aware of the meaning of the new hope. They were victims of the Lombardy was one of the gathered around Peter, continues The Holy Father noted that name He has given him, 'Peter': the throwaway culture,” he said. epicenters of the COVID-19 Jesus responded to Simon by faith he has just shown is the to proclaim.” outbreak in Italy, which has He said “it is indispensable The Pope also recalled declaring: “You are Peter, and on unshakable 'rock' on which the Son August 24 as the 4th anniversary of claimed 35,430 lives as of August this rock I will build my church, of God wishes to build His Church, and praiseworthy that the pastoral 23, according to the Johns care of our communities be open an earthquake that struck central and the gates of Hades will not that is, community.” Italy, killing 299 people, and Hopkins Coronavirus Resource prevail against it” (v. 18). to many forms of poverty and Center. crises, which are everywhere. renewed his prayers “for the Turkey Turns Another i s h o p V i c t o r South African Bishop Encourages P h a l a n a o f t h e Church into Mosque BK l e r k s d o r p Training of Female Theologians Diocese in South Africa has month after the former Turkey, including less notable lauded women who assume Ministers of Holy Cathedral Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophias in the towns of ministerial roles in the C o m m u n i o n , t h e Awas converted from a İznik and Trabzon, have also been absence of priests, and urged the women lead liturgical museum into a mosque, another converted back into mosques in Southern African Church to services in the absence Istanbul church-museum, is to recent years. encourage women to take up of a Priest or a Deacon. be converted into a mosque and Historian Fabrice Monnier leadership positions in the They preach and give opened for Muslim worship. told French newspaper Le Figaro Church, including enrolling for communion to the Turkey's President, Recep that he believed the situation with theology classes. Tayyip Erdoğan on August 22 People of God. The Chora Church was different from “Women's month challenges ordered that a 700-year-old Chora w o m e n a l s o l e a d us to examine ourselves in relation Church, renowned for its exquisite t h a t o f o t h e r m o s q u e funerals services, to women. We must ensure that Byzantine mosaics but currently reconversions, because of the size which according to women are included in the heart of the Kariye Museum, be turned of its paintings and mosaics. Bishop Phalana, is a very the Church so that we can enjoy the Mary, August 15. into a fully functioning mosque. “Its beautiful mosaics and important ministry. fullness of human reflection, male According to the Local The Holy Saviour in Chora frescoes cover almost all the “During funerals they and female in the formation of our Ordinary of South Africa's is a 4th-century Greek Orthodox church's walls and domes,” he moral, doctoral and pastoral life,” Klerksdorp Diocese, other (women) are there comforting the Church, whose structure was said. “It would be hard to imagine countries in Africa perform bereaved, ministering to them it being returned into a mosque Bishop Phalana said in a message originally part of a monastery in to celebrate August, the Women's better than South Africa in and preaching the Word of God without totally covering them terms of encouraging Lay and leading burial rites… They Byzantine Constantinople. After over.” Month in South Africa. the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul “ Wo m e n m u s t a l s o b e women and Women Religious are the ones who are there with The Hagia Sophia and Chora to train as Doctors and in 1453, the church was taken for encouraged to be trained in the dying, giving them the bread decisions are thought to be an Professors of Canon Law, effort by Erdoğan to appeal to theology and in other Church of life especially in cases where Muslim worship. Scripture and Theology. In 1945, the secular Turkish Muslim voters after the president's disciplines. This is our weakest the Priest is not present,” he said. The Bishop said that Republic declared the building a party, AK, lost the Istanbul point in Southern Africa,” he said in “ I d o n o t b e l i e v e i n women in South Africa are the national monument, and extensive mayoral election in 2019. a video clip, shared with the ACI domination, especially the restoration and conservation work ACI Africa Africa on the Solemnity of the majority in the Diocesan domination of women by men. I was carried out on the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Pastoral Council where the believe that that is not the will of church's artworks before it opened Chairperson is a woman. It is God. We become poorer as a as a museum in 1958. The Chora also women who make up the Diocese without experiences of Church is a much-visited site in huge chunk of the Diocesan women,” said Bishop Phalana. the Fatih district of Istanbul. Laity Council and in all its He noted that in the past ten Like Hagia Sophia, the Holy sodality forums. years, the Church had seen more Saviour building is designated a He argued that including and more appointments of UNESCO World Heritage site. women in leadership “does women in the Vatican Dicasteries not make the Presbyterial In November 2019, Turkey's and Holy See Departments, with Council weaker. It doesn't top administrative court, the Pope Francis establishing a Council of State, ruled that Hagia m a k e t h e c o l l e g e o f commission to explore the role of Sophia should return to use as a Consultors weaker because women Deacons in the early mosque on the basis that the w e h a v e o p t e d f o r a museum was unlawful, for c o l l a b o r a t i v e t y p e o f Church. violating the Ottoman declaration leadership where the laity and “Can women become that the building be used for particularly women play a Deacons in the Catholic Church Muslim worship. significant role.” where ordinations are reserved The Holy Saviour Church. Other church-museums in A s e x t r a o r d i n a r y only for men?” he wondered. Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 3

h e W o r l d H e a l t h WHO Head in Support of Organization (WHO) Wild Polio Ton Tuesday, August 25, declared an end to wild polio in Pope Francis’s Call for Africa, marking a major step towards global eradication. Eradicated from Global Access to Vaccine A statement issued By the British High Commission in h e D i r e c t o r - Accra, said through UK funding Ghana, Africa General of the millions of children have been vaccinated against polio, measles services to communities for thanks to UK aid helping to World Health T and cholera. those affected by the disease. v a c c i n a t e c h i l d r e n a n d Organisation (WHO) "Today's announcement by It said the funding strengthen health systems across has strongly advocated the WHO follows no new wild would help provide large the continent – so no child need for rapid, fair and polio cases being registered scale immunisations for suffer again. equitable access to across the continent for four children in high risk countries “ T h i s o u t s t a n d i n g potential COVID-19 years. Wild polio was previously l i k e P a k i s t a n a n d achievement shows what the vaccines worldwide, the predominant cause of the Afghanistan, where wild world can achieve when we work disease and the polio vaccine p o l i o w a s y e t t o b e together to tackle global health s u p p o r t i n g P o p e protects individuals against this eradicated. crises”. Francis' similar call on form of the virus," it said. The statement said the It said August 2019 marked August 19. "Just 25 years ago, polio U K w a s a l s o f u n d i n g three consecutive years since “I couldn't agree was paralysing an estimated international efforts to Nigeria, the last African country m o r e w i t h Y o u r Dr. Ghebreyesus 75,000 children a year in Africa." develop a safe, workable with wild polio, had a case of The statement said the UK coronavirus vaccine that wild poliovirus. Holiness…The #Covid19 was one of the top donors to the would be available throughout The statement said since pandemic shows that we must make health a human right for G l o b a l P o l i o E r a d i c a t i o n the world – as the biggest t h e n t h e A f r i c a R e g i o n a l all and not allow it to be a privilege for the few. It also gives us Initiative (GPEI), which had country donor to the Coalition Certification Commission for an opportunity to rebuild a better, safer, fairer world — vaccinated millions of children for Epidemic Preparedness P o l i o E r a d i c a t i o n , a n against polio in the world's Innovations. independent body of experts, had together!” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus retweeted the poorest countries. Madam Anne-Marie reviewed data from across the papal tweet on his account, @DrTedros, August 20. It said as a result of their T r e v e l y a n , t h e U K continent, concluding in today's The Pontiff at his weekly general audience on August 19 work, more than 18 million International Development announcement. insisted that any vaccine developed for the coronavirus helps people were able to walk, who Secretary said: "Thirty years I t s a i d P a k i s t a n a n d would otherwise had been ago, over 100 countries had Afghanistan were now the only everyone, not just the wealthiest or one nation. paralysed by the virus. The wild polio. Now, every two countries with endemic On Twitter, @Pontifex, Pope Francis had said “The statement reiterated that support country in Africa is free from response to the pandemic is therefore dual. On the one hand, it from the UK had helped 220 the disease – in large part polio. is essential to find a cure for this small but terrible virus, million children across 47 countries in Africa. which has brought the whole world to its knees. On the other, The statement said last year, we must also cure a larger virus, that of social injustice, the UK committed funding to inequality of opportunity, marginalization, and the lack of vaccinate more than 400 million children against polio across the protection for the weakest”. world until 2023. The WHO has been promoting and gaining increasing The statement said it would support from more than 70 countries to join the “COVAX save an estimated 650,000 facility” which will guarantee global protections and children from life-long paralysis every year and support over 20 equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. million staff and volunteers Countries are being asked to finance the vaccines from worldwide to deliver polio their own budgets and partner with lower-income countries, vaccination and broader health A Child being vaccinated. with possible added support from donations, to help countries have a guaranteed share and allocation of vaccines. “We have learned the hard way that the fastest way to end Caritas Ghana Launches One Million Cedi this pandemic and to reopen economies is to start by protecting the highest risk populations everywhere, rather COVID-19 Emergency Response Project than the entire populations of just some countries,” the WHO Continued from front page Director-General had said at a news conference on August 18. d. Stabilisation of GH¢400,000 for about 2,500 and resettled and reintegrated l o c a l m a r k e t s , vulnerable people. He said the WHO would continue “to promote science, S m a l l / M e d i u m S i z e Mr. Akologo mentioned solutions and solidarity because we believe to our core that we internal migrants from Old Fadama/Agbogbloshie, Accra. Enterprises (SMEs) through that Caritas Internationalis (CI) do it best when we do it together.” CNS the injection of about Continued on back page COVID-19 Crisis Risks ‘Shrinking Civil Society’, Says Catholic Aid Agency

he Communications Officer for Trócaire, the emergency powers, targeting of critics, excessive use of official international development agency of the force, mass-digital surveillance by security agencies, TIrish Bishops has stated that COVID-19 poses imposing censorship and preventing access to reliable health human rights risks, more than health, for Africa. information.” “There are significant risks emerging of some According to Gallagher, “The containments measures governments taking measures to restrict human rights and and restrictions on movement have already resulted in civil society space within the framework of a national significant job losses in the formal and informal economies, Covid-19 response,” said Ciaran Gallagher, shortages of basic goods; a significant movement of people Communications Officer for Trócaire. from urban to rural areas – putting pressure on already food insecure households and the closure of schools and Speaking to the Crux, Gallagher indicated that “In universities.” some of our programming countries, there are concerns that “In the communities where Trócaire works, people are States will use the crisis to extend their power, exert further living day to day. Many are day laborers, traders or farmers. People wearing face masks to protect against control and further erode civil society space.” Lockdowns are very difficult for people as they are not in a coronavirus, sit on chairs whilst queuing to be screened He added “ This is done through targeting human position to stockpile food and other essential supplies,” and tested for COVID-19 in Eldorado Park outside of rights defenders and particular minority groups, unlimited Gallagher added. Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. (Credit: Themba Hadebe/AP.) 4 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 LETTER TO MY UNBORN DAUGHTER (THE ONLY WAY OUT) EDITORIAL Daughter, When you get to a party and you are tempted to get drunk, walk out of ife is filled with temptations, the party. You see a handsome man on life is a test, deal with your television and you begin to lust over Is Anybody Listening Lweaknesses; these are the him change the channel. You are with three things I want to teach you the boy alone in the room and the today. From the day you begin to atmosphere is getting 'too relaxing', to PIAC's Annual Reports? reason to the day your ability to my dear, jump out of that atmosphere reason stops, you'll have to choose and run. This is how to deal with he “Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC),” a statutory between what to do and what not to temptation. Don't try to get too body established to Police the management of Ghana's petroleum do. spiritual with slippery physical Trevenues, has published its annual 2019 report, with an indicting footnote: There are several times you'll be encounters. Simply flee! That its past annual reports often receive little or no attention. pressured to do exactly what you know You see, we all have weaknesses. The Committee's report, according to its chairman and reported in our previous you shouldn't do. Resist it! If you are It's dangerous to make people think edition of August 24, discloses some disturbing loopholes in the management able to read this, it means you have you don't have weaknesses but to gone through formal education hence of our petroleum revenues. The identified loopholes are so disturbing and deceive yourself that you don't have have experienced a few class tests. any weakness is the most foolish thing compelling that The Catholic Standard is revisiting some of them, in the hope Sometimes, you can't answer every you can do. It is wise to identify your that the concerns will attract the official attention, otherwise denied the question on the test paper, similarly strengths and even wiser to know your PIAC. you may not be able to answer all the weaknesses. The army can go to a To begin with, the Committee's chairman makes the point that exposed loopholes questions life throws at you. In actual battlefield with all the artillery they are not new, having been raised consistently in past annual reports. fact, you are not supposed to answer need, but if they have no idea who their Furthermore, that the PIAC's concerns often receive little or no attention. In all the questions life poses. Rather, enemies are, they will have a tough our democratic dispensation, certain public institutions have been skipping over a question without time winning the battle. It's the same constitutionally or statutorily established to guarantee accountability in answering is part of passing life's test. way you have to know that you have governance. One such body is the “Public Interest and Accountability Wisdom has taught me to prepare issues with your temper, you are a Committee”, designed to be the ears and eyes on behalf of the public, to whom myself; spirit, soul and body for any chronic gossip, you are weak at real power ultimately belongs. Its concerns are not to be taken lightly, let alone kind of test. mathematics or perhaps your subject ignored. In situations where I find myself and verb are always in disagreement The tragic misuse of oil money in some very oil-rich countries prompted Ghana's facing questions I am not prepared for, because you dislike reading. You foresight to institute better mechanisms for managing our oil money I do not make hasty decisions. I ponder know what, no matter how many times differently. To disregard the voice of the PIAC, and more so, to treat it with over it or sought for counsel from the I call you angel you are not an angel. people who matter in my life. My You are a spirit with a very fragile and contempt, amounts to violating the essence of our democratic ideals. It will be point is you don't have to take silly sensuous body. So deal your a tragic irony of history, if governments after governments circumvent the risks. This is the wisdom I want to pass weaknesses. One great way to deal statutory structures mounted to police and guard our oil money. This includes down to you. with your weaknesses is to pray about poor governance, bribery and corruption, ineffective monitoring and On the issue of temptation, flee! it. He is the only one who is able to evaluation mechanisms. Don't make any compromises. Don't give you power to will and to do, With respect to the PIAC-identified loopholes, a few deserve to be highlighted: The think you are strong enough to stand power to desire to overcome the first has to do with inadequate fund allocation to projects, which invariably against every temptation, there are weakness and power to actually results in the thin-spread of funds for projects. If, or when, petroleum funds some temptations you have to run overcome it. are stretched to cover more un-budgeted for projects, the expected impact from, literally speaking. In the face of I wish I could pray you never any temptation it is so easy to say 'let associated with the expenditure cannot be guaranteed. But the PIAC report encounter any temptation but that will me do it just this one time', 'oh nobody be the dumbest prayer I could ever say. maintains that “expenditure normally stretches beyond the 12 listed priority will see and God will forgive me so I simply pray you'll have the strength thresholds”. This loophole rests directly at the door steps of all governments. what's there to lose', 'everybody is to overcome the temptation, wisdom They are statutorily obliged to manage our oil resources, such that projects doing it so let me do it too.' For to deal with your weaknesses and are not denied nor starved of funding. Also, unintended projects must not be instance, In the middle of the movie, knowledge to pass every test. I pray interjected to feed on already paltry allocation. walk out of the cinema, or close the you grow beautifully in body, mind A second loophole, exposed by the PIAC is the financial hurricane revelation that magazine if you see any sexually and spirit. Your Mum. some International Oil Companies (IOC), either fail to pay, or defer payment explicit sections. of surface rentals, as required by the terms of contracts signed onto by Signed: WeMa International Oil Companies (IOCs). Indeed, the PIAC makes the point that the “practice undervalues the Ghana Petroleum Holding Fund, and does not comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA)”. How this particular loophole can go unnoticed, when there are officials paid to ensure compliance in such matters, is mind-boggling. Even more baffling, is the very audacity of IOCs to dare engage in what amounts to a deliberate fraud, in the full glare of paid institutions and salaried officials! A third loophole exposed by the PIAC is the non-utilisation of and accounting for the full Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA). The purpose of the ABFA clause is precisely to ensure that projects are not starved of fund, among others. But, according to the PIAC, the very time when projects were fund- starved was when revenues were reportedly” unutilised and unaccounted for.” This loophole can only suggest two possibilities: class bureaucratic incompetence or class financial dishonesty. Neither is excusable and acceptable! State officers’ failure or complicity to monitor weakens financial discipline. A government has a responsibility to act, and not complain. We accordingly urge the Ministry in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation to take up the concerns of PIAC, act on them and publicly inform Ghanaians of the outcome. This way the country will come to reap and enjoy the anticipated benefits of Ghana’s oil resources. Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 5 The Pilgrims A ‘CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE’ IS NOT A LUXURY *Dr. Opoku Prempeh this tool that we all stand in need of? make good judgement. Furthermore the Personally I tend to rely on that rise of individualism and the zest for the Notes harmless and simple guideline that I was satisfaction of base cravings have By Kasise Ricky Peprah taught as a little boy, to always ask 'what heightened and the sting of popular will Jesus expect of me in these criticism has died down, all leading to Dear St. Jude, circumstances? To this question I then an existence that is self-indulgent and apply my knowledge; fruit of scripture, spiritually vacuous. hat is it to be a Christian if advise, good counsel and personal How else can we explain our it is not to endeavour to experience. In many cases I come to the acquiescence to graft and greed, our emulate our Lord and knowledge of what I am required in the applause of crime and cronyism, our W blind eye to decadence and moral Saviour Jesus Christ, every time, circumstances to do but very often I tend everywhere? to lose the will to carry it through. First turpitude? What is it to be Christian if it is not things though. How can we make sense of the A conscience, I deign to opine, is shameless, even reckless larceny that to live lives worthy of our faith? The Columnist What is it to be Christian if it is not the cumulative synthesis of the has plagued the world? to strive to be above reproach, even knowledge we acquire over time, invariably involves making judgement How do we make sense of the stark before our fellow human beings? especially the knowledge gathered about calls which lead either to doing the right debauchery, the thoughtless 'murder' of What greater tool then do we have good and bad, moral and immoral, thing, seldom at any profit or doing the our planet or the substitution of right in this our pilgrimage but a conscience, proper and improper, appropriate and wrong thing, at considerable gain, albeit with the blatantly wrong? a 'Christian conscience' by which to inappropriate, ethical and unethical. It is temporal. This dilemma is further St. Jude, sermon after sermon will judge our actions, to inform our choices these nuggets of information that exacerbated by the fact that today, good do us no good if we do not accept the and to direct our lives? ferment into a guiding tool called a is no more applauded and vile crime is admonitions therein to be Christ like. St. Jude, every Christian has been conscience and which then informs our celebrated. Homily after another will fall off fed the staple of scripture for as long as every action and decision. It is that I have bemoaned, St. Jude, on our backs as water from the backs of they have availed themselves. Those checklist by which we make judgements many occasions, that morality has ducks. We will only be indulging in who are literate are also able to read the and reach decisions. Little need morphed out of existence and ethics and weekly gatherings, wasted on routine Word themselves. It can be said therefore, to emphasise that if what we propriety have long since gone extinct. and empty of substance. therefore that the Word of God is not a have consumed and retained by way of Similarly, I have advocated for a new Pray for us St. Jude so we accept mystery to us all. We may not know it in knowledge is patently evil and errant, our way of appealing to the good in people for true that Heaven is real and Hell too, its entirety but we sure know enough to ability to recognise good will be gravely because it appears that the over-used that we each will account for our time inform our lives. It is my conviction that compromised. It is our duty therefore to and now sterile methods deliver very here on Earth and that we will each be the prevalence, despite all this, of separate from among the knowledge we little. We need to revise our pedagogy rewarded according to our ways. Please transgression, evil and even sin is not as get, the good from the bad and construct and employ new tools. The age old pray that we are reminded that we are much on account of ignorance as it is our conscience with the good. eschatological gospel and its scare called upon to be our brother/Sister’s borne out of a deliberate disinclination Once we have cultivated and tricks has lost its bite and hell appears keeper and to love our neighbour as to put the Word into practice. continue to nourish our consciences, we non-deterrent, may be even desirable, as ourselves. St. Jude, there is no doubt that our must then remember to employ them in we mortals have so turned this world St. Jude, help us look around us commission as Christians is a daunting our everyday lives, for of what use is a into a horrible experience that many and see how futile this life is and how it task and as such it is hardly surprising tool if it is left gathering dust on our people cannot imagine anything worse. can only be but a test of our choice that many of us are not very keen to proverbial shelves. Over the last five decades that I making and guided by that and the will apply ourselves to it, but avoid it we St. Jude, many of us these days have have lived, the compulsion of a good to attain eternal life, ask our Father to cannot. The need for a conscience is elected to take leave of our moral conscience has waned and many of us 'deliver us from temptation' and steer us therefore uber important. What then is compasses. The business of everyday life are left bereft of the tools with which to away from that which does not augur well for our salvation project.

context provided by Isaiah 22 and other Old Testament passages. The Papacy and Sacred Scripture Jesus, heir of David and King of kings, was appointing Peter to be His Prime Minister, the head of the Twelve. “The 'power of the T h e d o c t r i n e o f t h e (A Reflection reproduced from the Catholic World Report) keys',” explains the Catechism, primacy of Peter is just one “designates authority to govern “more of the many errors Peter, the 'rock' of His Church. He House of David,” which enabled the controversies about Jesus in our the house of God, which is the that the Church of Rome has gave him the keys of His Church minister to regulate the affairs of the own time. Church” (par 553). The binding added to the Christian religion.” and instituted him shepherd of the king's household—that is, of the Jesus asked who they and losing refers to prohibiting So wrote the Presbyterian whole flock” (par 881; cf. 551-53). kingdom. In addition, this prime t h o u g h t h e w a s . I t w a s and permitting; it also includes the theologian Loraine Boettner in Some of the reasons for the change minister is described by Isaiah as a Peter—brash but correct—who f u n c t i o n o f r e n d e r i n g h i s 1 9 6 2 b o o k , R o m a n in my beliefs are found in today's “father to the inhabitants of r e s p o n d e d w i t h t h e g r e a t authoritative teaching and making acclamation, “You are the Christ, Catholicism, a popular work of readings, which provide some Old Jerusalem and to the house of official pronouncements. the Son of the living God”, anti-Catholic polemics. Testament context for the papacy, Judah.” Does this mean that Peter confessing both the divinity and Although the religious and also describe a profound Fast forward to about the year and his successors are sinless or kingship of Jesus. Peter was then l a n d s c a p e h a s c h a n g e d exchange between Jesus and Peter. A.D. 30, Jesus and His disciples are even somehow divine? No, of In the Old Testament, King in the region of Caesarea Philippi, a addressed singularly by Jesus (Tu significantly since the early course not. They are men in need Solomon and his successors had pagan area about 25 miles north of es petrus, in Latin), who renamed 1960s, there are still many non- of salvation, just like you and me. twelve deputies or ministers who the Sea of Galilee. They likely were him Petros, or “Rock”. That name Catholic Christians today who But God has chosen to work agree wholeheartedly with helped the king govern and rule standing at the base of Mount was unique among the Jews, through such men in order to Boettner's assertions. The Papacy (cf., 1 Kings 4:1ff). The master of Hermon in front of a well-known reserved in the Old Testament for proclaim the Gospel, to lead the is unbiblical! It has no basis in the palace, or Prime Minister, had a cliff filled with niches holding God alone. Jesus further declared Church, and to protect the Scripture! Peter was never singled unique position over those twelve, statues of pagan deities; at the top of he would build His Church upon out as a leader of the apostles! as described in today's reading the cliff stood a temple in honour of the newly named Rock. (Et super teachings of Christ. They are G r o w i n g u p i n a from the prophet Isaiah. The Prime Caesar. Jesus first asked the h a n c p e t r a m , a e d i f i c a b o fathers (“pope” means “papa”) fundamentalist home, I believed Minister wore a robe and sash disciples who other people thought ecclesiam meam); and He gave who hold a unique office for one such statements. But I now agree befitting his office, and was he was. The variety of answers Peter “the keys to the kingdom of reason: they were called by Christ instead with the Catechism of the entrusted by the king to wield the given revealed the confusion heaven.” to hold the keys of the household Catholic Church: “The Lord made king's authority. The symbol for surrounding the identity of Jesus, This dramatic moment of God. Simon alone, whom he named that authority was “the keys of the quite similar to the confusion and makes little or no sense without the catholicworldreport.com 6 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Why Ex-Religious in Africa Struggle to Fit in Secular World

(ACI Africa interviews Sr. Marren is one of the The nun, who of education and capacity for Rev. Sr. Marren Rose Awiti of only two Kenyan Religious holds a Licentiate in getting employment, the kind of the Institute of the Blessed Sisters who holds a Doctorate in Canon Law from environment the person is going Virgin Mary (Loretto Sisters) Canon law, a field that has, for t h e R o m e ' s to as well as the financial ability and a Canon Law Lecturer, the many years, been left for Priests U r b a n i a n a of the Institute. Catholic University of Eastern and Bishops and which remains P o n t i f i c a l Charity, on the other hand, Africa in Nairobi, Kenya). uncharted waters for many University, urges would imply an attitude of Starting a new life after women in Religious Life. the leadership of kindness and compassion departing from a Religious Sharing her interest in Religious Orders towards the departing, the Order or Society of Apostolic Canon Law with the ACI Africa, and Societies of Kenyan-born sister says, Life is an arduous task in Africa, Sr. Marren says that she was Apostolic Life to be adding, “It is also an attitude according to a Catholic nun who moved by the discovery that not charitable to their which would provoke a question has suggested different ways to many Religious women know m e m b e r s w h o such as: what would Christ have assist Religious who embark on about ecclesiastical laws, yet it depart, noting that it done in the situation?” such transitions as they seek to is the very laws that impact their is difficult for them Departure of Religious fit in the secular world. lives in their various Orders and to adjust in the from their Orders or Societies of In a new book, “The Societies of Apostolic Life. s e c u l a r w o r l d Apostolic Life, she says, can be Future of Religious Life in “Initially, it was the idea of empty handed. avoided by conducting vigilant Africa”, which was crafted by a my Religious Congregation that She narrates care in admission of candidates. team of 12 members of the I should pursue Canon Law. But that the situation in The widely published nun, Clergy, Religious and Lay when I enrolled for the classes, I the past was easier who has presented papers on academics working or who have discovered that it is a very for Sisters who Canon Law issues affecting Religious Institutes, cautions worked in Africa, Sr. Marren interesting field much as it least Rev. Sr. Marren Rose Awiti were admitted with Rose Awiti, a member of the appeals to Religious Sisters,” d o w r y , w h i c h leaders of Religious Orders and Institute of the Blessed Virgin the Kenyan-born nun told ACI p r o v i d e d t h e m Societies of Apostolic Life who Mary (Loreto Sisters) and a Africa in an interview on Institutes attracts stigma from the security in cases where one chose admit candidates to take utmost Canon Lawyer explores widely Wednesday, August 19. society that expects Religious to to depart from Religious Life. care that only suitable persons the challenges that the Religious She added, “I discovered be “holy.” “The underlying principle are brought in. who choose to become lay that it is a field that many don't “In the context of religious in the practice of payment of the “ M o s t a u t h o r s o n people encounter, including know about yet it affects our life in Africa, where the popular dowry of women Religious was Religious Life strongly believe d i f f i c u l t i e s i n g e t t i n g lives. In Kenya there are only notion is that it is a permanent the foreseen care and support for that many of the underlying employment and settling down two of us, and in all the countries state of life for those who embrace both the individual Religious and problems, which eventually with life partners. where our Congregation has a it, departure may be particularly the Institute for the time the lead to a departure from an “The whole process of presence, there are only five of difficult, as it may be seen as a member belongs to an Institute Institute, existed before separation of a member from a us. This makes our job very betrayal of God and the Church by and for the occasions of admission into Religious Life,” religious institute is often overwhelming.” the Religious,” she says, adding, separation from the Institute in she says, adding that some complicated, difficult and In Africa, statistics of “More often than not, in African whatever manner and whatever people join Religious Life with stressful as it involves tough Religious women and men who society, such Religious who motivation,” she says. varied motives such as getting a decisions which require serious have quit Religious Life are depart from their institute would She notes that it was later good education and training, or discernment, clarity of intention “hard to access”, according to be treated with stigma, suspicion decided that those who depart having a better life. and well-grounded causes,” Sr. Sr. Marren who says that such and blame.” from a Religious Order or “Usually, such people Marren says. transitions from Religious In an attempt to reclaim the Society of Apostolic Life leave the institute after they She adds, “Besides the O r d e r s a n d S o c i e t i e s o f status of being “a mother or father legitimately or have been have achieved their goal, that is, emotional and physical energy Apostolic Life are treated as of a Priest or Religious Sister,” dismissed from it legitimately to obtain quality education and involved in the psychological, “very personal and intense”. some parents try to talk their can request nothing from the professional skill,” she says. p h y s i c a l a n d s p i r i t u a l Many Sisters who depart children into joining other Orders Institute for any work done in it. She also proposes that preparation on the part of the from their Institutes, she says, or Societies of Apostolic Life, Sr. Marren agrees with the leaders of Religious Orders and member, still, the transition l e a v e a t e a r l y s t a g e s o f forcing them to stick to a wrong new norms, saying that, among Societies of Apostolic Life from one state of life to another formation, mostly after their vocation, Sr. Marren says. other factors, the very nature of c o n s i d e r t r a i n i n g t h e i r may be very traumatic... The temporary vows and before they F a c e d w i t h t h i s Religious profession disqualifies members, should they need member may not be able to get are admitted for perpetual mistreatment the ex-Religious a member from acquiring skills once they leave. employment or may be too old profession. acts out in various ways, personal property from works T h e L o r e t t o S i s t e r or sickly to be employed, or too D e p a r t i n g f r o m a including abandoning the Church done in the name of the Institute. observes that the majority of needy.” Religious Institute (which the altogether, according to Sr. “By Religious profession, a candidates to Religious Life in Hinting on the situation of n u n r e f e r s t o a s a t o t a l Marren. person freely offers himself or many Religious Orders and Religious Sisters who depart disconnection with the Order or Sr. Marren, who has been herself to God and dedicates his Societies of Apostolic Life in from their Institutes at an Society of Apostolic Life), involved in the teaching ministry, or her life to service within the Africa are admitted without any advanced age, Sr. Marren says happens in two ways. It may be administration and formation Institute of membership. In this professional training, or with that these groups of individuals out of an individual's own work in her Institute of the Loreto total surrender to God and v e r y p o o r a c a d e m i c are usually in a situation where volition or one may be asked by Sisters, urges society to respect renunciation of one's life, the qualifications. they are no longer able to take the leadership of the Institute to the choices of Religious who Religious places himself or “In the event that such care of themselves. leave. leave their Institutes and to treat herself in a state of trust and members are to depart from the O t h e r s d o n o t h a v e “In both circumstances, it them with kindness, “just like any uncertainty with regard to the Institute, if they have not been qualifications for jobs that are is only proper that the departing other marriage that did not work.” future,” she says. helped to get some training or available, according to Sr. Religious be accorded the She recommends the new In helping Sisters who skills during their time of Marren who has handled n e c e s s a r y a s s i s t a n c e t o book on the future of Religious leave their Orders or Societies of service, helping them to settle numerous cases of separation transition to their new lives,” the Life in Africa to Religious Apostolic Life, the member of back to secular life may be very from Religious Institutes around Canon Lawyer told the ACI Superiors of different Institutes, the Association of Women demanding for the Institute,” Sr. the continent.Still, others who Africa. colleges and universities teaching Religious Canon Lawyers, Marren says. have lived many years of In Her Chapter, “The Canon Law, people in Religious suggests that considerations S h e a d d s , “ W e Religious Life, cut away from Legislation of the Church on the Life and those contemplating to should be based on equity as well recommend that Institutes certain social interactions, find it Assistance to be Given to join various Religious Institutes as charity to the one leaving. revise their admission criteria so d i f f i c u l t t o f o r g e s u c h Religious who Depart from their as well as the laity who she says Equity concerns, she says, as to emphasize the admission relationships and get marriage Institute”, Sr. Marren notes that need to change their outlook on include the age, the number of of candidates with at least some partners, she says. in Africa, leaving Religious Religious Life. years in Religious Life, the level skills or training.” ACI Africa Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 7

Ghana Developing Testing Kit for International Airport (KIA), amidst 19 transmission at the Kotoka the coronavirus pandemic. International Airport. Arriving Airline Passengers T h e g u i d e l i n e s i n c l u d e President Nana Addo Dankwa temperature monitoring at both the Akufo-Addo in a nationwide arrival and departure terminals, and passengers with credible PCR test address on August 16 indicated the hana is preparing to deploy a compulsory mask-wearing for all results from specialised hospitals at possibility of re-opening the Kotoka special coronavirus testing passengers (both arriving and their place of embarkation to fill out a International Airport by September k i t f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l departing) and the airport staff. G comprehensive form, detailing their 1. passengers arriving at the Kotoka The rest are non-congestion at all physical home address, work address For Ghanaian residents International Airport and other ports sections of the airport (arrival, and other necessary details. stranded abroad, he said a special of entry. departure and environs) and adherence “Subsequently, a specially dispensation would continue to be The Noguchi Memorial Institute to social distancing protocols. designed technology will be deployed to given for their evacuation back to for Medical Research is testing the kit, The GHS was hopeful that these track and monitor them while the new Ghana, subject to mandatory dubbed the “Polymerase Chain measures, if strictly adhered to, would PCR test results are released within 24 quarantine and safety protocols.” Reaction (PCR) Detection.” minimize the potential risk of COVID- According to the Ghana Aviation hours,” the report said. web portal, the trial is expected to be COVID-19 safety modalities completed within days toward the final under discussion require departing modalities for re-opening. Arriving travellers to show proof of a negative passengers will have to take a PCR test PCR test, prior to being allowed into the at the upper arrival section of Terminal international departure hall of Terminal 3. 3. “It may take up to 30 minutes for In 2019, about 8,000 people used the result of a test to be known. The the KIA daily. passenger is also to bear the cost of the The option of a 24-hour hotel COVID-19 test, estimated at between quarantine upon arrival has also been GH¢250-GH¢500, according to the called into question, due to limited hotel portal. room availability for thousands of Furthermore, “Only in-bound passengers who use the KIA daily. passengers with negative PCR tests will GHS Releases KIA Guidelines then be allowed to descend to the arrival over Reopening of Airport hall to complete their arrival formalities Meanwhille, the Ghana Health and exit the terminal.” Service (GHS) on August 20 released guidelines for the resumption of Other two options, according to The KIA the portal, include allowing arriving international air travel at the Kotoka

critical analysis,” the Council of Develop A Plan For North To Ensure Sustainability State Member further observed. He equally admitted that the Of Development – Mrs Chinery-Hesse C o r o n a v i r u s ( C O V I D - 1 9 ) pandemic has also exacerbated the existing challenges of the North. he Chancellor of the She indicated that traditional M r s . C h i n e r y - H e s s e Other speakers at the function University of Ghana, rulers also had a crucial role to play expressed her conviction that with included the Upper East Regional TL e g o n , M r s M a r y b y c r e a t i n g a c o n g e n i a l the North producing high calibre of Minister, Ms Tangoba Abayage and Chinery-Hesse, has called on atmosphere for private investors to personalities including Ministers of the Chief Executive Officer of the indigenes of the five regions of come in. State, Members of Parliament and Northern Development Authority the North to work together to “There must also be a former Presidents it was possible to (NDA), Dr Alhassan Sulemana develop a comprehensive c o d i f i c a t i o n C h i e f t a i n c y mobilise people to get a fair share of Anamzoya. Northern Development Plan to succession plan to help minimise development projects. The Summit discussed ensure sustainability and conflicts which has been the bane A Council of State Member, among other issues narrowing the continuation of development of the development of the North,” Bo-Na Prof. Yakubu Nantogmah North-South inequalities and what projects even when there is a she noted. spoke on the theme for the Summit needed to be done, transforming the change in government. She also spoke about the “Transforming the economy of economy of Northern Ghana within She noted that Northerners need for trade to be boosted Northern Ghana within the context the context of the 2020 general must buy into and own the plan Mrs. Chinery-Hesse between Ghana and the Sahelian of the 2020 general elections and the elections and the COVID-19 such that whichever government regions with the North playing a COVID-19 pandemic”. pandemic. Other issues discussed is in power, duty bearers would Mrs. Chinery-Hesse who is key role due to its strategic location He called on Northerners to were developing a vibrant, resilient be compelled to stick to the plan. the first female Chancellor of the to the Sahelian regions. help bring to a halt the situation and profitable agricultural sector in Addressing the opening of University of Ghana spoke on the Mrs. Chinery-Hesse stated whereby projects are abandoned Northern Ghana and what needed the 2020 Northern Ghana topic “Narrowing the North-South that with an estimated 350 million w h e n t h e r e i s a c h a n g e i n to change as well as securing the D e v e l o p m e n t S u m m i t a t inequalities: what needs to be people living in the Sahelian government. dignity and human rights of women Bolgatanga on Thursday, August done?” region, Ghana cannot afford but to Bo-Na Nantogmah said in communities in Northern Ghana, 20, via the Zoom platform, Mrs. “I sense frustration but we tap into those opportunities to Northerners can do that if they what attitudes and actions were Chinery-Hesse was of the view have come a long way; we cannot enrich the country through prevail on political parties to agree required. that it was high time Northerners talk about reparation now, let us international trade. to a common Plan of continuation of It attracted the academia, moved from “talk shops into find a way to move forward” she She advised the youth in the projects in a systematic manner Ministers of State, traditional action". further observed. North to avoid being used to whether it is one political party that r u l e r s , Q u e e n m o t h e r s , She observed that if the The Chancellor mentioned foment unrest during elections is in power or not. D e v e l o p m e n t e x p e r t s , indigenes of the North are able to the sheanut industry, data on rich because elections usually serve as He said the challenges of the Metropolitan, Municipal and accept that responsibility of resources in the North, value conduits for conflicts. North started from the colonial era District Chief Executives from the making duty bearers stick to the addition to raw materials, The Chancellor pointed out and the educational system handed five regions of the North plan or agreement, a lot will generation of hydro power, water that a conducive environment must down to the country does not The Summit was organized change in the near future and harvesting to give the North be created for women and girls in provide the Ghanaian and indeed by STAR Ghana Foundation, the there will be a paradigm shift so advantage in farming as some of the North to stay and help develop the Northerner the opportunity of N D A , TA M A F o u n d a t i o n that instead of people travelling the things that can act as the their respective families and critically analysing issues. Universal, and the Northern from the North to the south for “magic bullet" in accelerating the communities rather than travelling “The old system of education Development Forum among other greener pastures it will now be development of Northern Ghana. down south in search of greener made us to memorise tasks and partners. the other way round. pastures. never allowed us into the area of graphicoline.com 8 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020

of the project proposal through Ghana Gets $54.5m for Afforestation and the Global Italian initiative On R E D D + N a t i o n a l implementation of the Implementation (GIORNI). Carbon Emission Reduction Ghana National REDD+ “We are particularly Strategy. happy with the approval from he Green Climate He also emphasised the the GCF Board because of Fund (GCF) has FC's appreciation to all the how critical this project is in Ta p p r o v e d stakeholders, particularly reducing emissions, the $54.5million to address the UNDP, and the Ministry expected value additions in the deforestation and forest of Finance which is the utilization of forest resources degradation challenges in N a t i o n a l D e s i g n a t e d and contributions to livelihood the Northern Savannah Authority (NDA) for the improvement especially for Zone of Ghana, under a GCF. w o m e n ” , n o t e d S i l k e 'Ghana Shea Landscape According to Roselyn Hollander, Deputy Resident E m i s s i o n R e d u c t i o n s Fosuah Adjei, Director of Representative for UNDP in Project'. C l i m a t e C h a n g e a n d Ghana. The project is expected to National REDD+ Focal The Global Shea Alliance result in the restoration of Point of the Forestry (GSA), a non-profit industry 200,000 hectares of off- C o m m i s s i o n , “ S h e a association with 500 members reserve savanna forests and landscapes are important from 35 countries, will be a 300,000 hectares of degraded sources of carbon storage key partner in the project shea parklands as well as the and sequestration and these implementation. establishment of 25,500 Development Programme million impact investments from provide essential products The project is aligned hectares of forest plantations (UNDP). the private sector. and ecological services.” with the main climate change in severely degraded forest ''I welcome this great M r . A l l o t e y s a i d t h e Ms. Adjei said the and forestry related policies, reserves. milestone in Ghana's Forestry implementation of the project impressive result could not strategies and plans of Ghana, Also, it will yield over 6 Sector in the deployment of w o u l d p r o v i d e a s t r o n g be achieved without the as highlighted by the President million tCO2e in emission programmes and projects that c o n t r i b u t i o n t o G h a n a ' s support provided by the of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa reductions and removals over reduce emissions, from achievement of its commitment I t a l i a n M i n i s t r y o f Akufo-Addo at the National the first seven years of the deforestation and forest to the Paris Agreement on Environment, Land and Sea REDD+ (Reducing Emissions project's lifetime, and 25.24 degradation, build ecosystem C l i m a t e C h a n g e a n d t h e (IMELS) for the elaboration from Deforestation and Forest million tCO2e over 20 years, resilience and also enhance the Degradation) Forum. a p a r t f r o m p r o m o t i n g lives of communities that investments in shea and nurture the forests,'' said the women's empowerment. Forestry Commission Chief University Student Develops Approved at the on- Executive, John M. Allotey. going GCF's 26th virtual The project has leveraged board meeting, the project will $30.1million grant from the Currency App to Assist the Blind be implemented by the GCF, about $15 million Forestry Commission (FC) funding from the government with technical support from and mobilized about $9 t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s Consider Cost of Household Toilet as Investment – CRS Head

aniel Mumuni, the Country Representative of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Ghana, an international Dnon-governmental organisation, has called on members of the public to consider the acquisition of household toilets as investments into the future, rather than a strain on their incomes. “People complain of the cost involved in acquiring household toilet facilities instead of considering it as an investment for their health The Ghana cedi benefits and that of their children,” he said at a sanitation bazaar, organised by the CRS at Gumani, a suburb of Tamale. The bazaar was the first of five sanitation bazaars to offer final year student of the Bluecrest he or she wants to call, as the interface interacts household toilet facilities at discounted rates and with flexible payment University College, Daniel David Lezu, with the user via audio. plans to residents. The toilets were heavily subsidised: a 10 percent has developed a computer app to help According to a recent “Blindness and discount was offered to clients or residents, who purchased toilets at the A the blind learn and detect all sets of Ghanaian Visual Impairment Study”, blindness bazaar. currencies. prevalence in Ghana is 0.74 percent and 1.07 Household toilet types were displayed by sanitation According to the student, the app was percent severe visual impairment. entrepreneurs, and residents interacted with the sanitation developed as part of his final year project work. He The Application, which is yet to be entrepreneurs to seek advice on household toilet and general sanitation said he felt the need to assist especially the launched on the “Google Play Store” has attracted accolades from some visually needs. physically challenged with knowledge he had The event formed part of CRS' Urban Water, Sanitation and impaired people. acquired at the university. Daniel David Lezu, the student who Hygiene (WASH) project, which seeks to improve the health and well- “Although we are moving into cashless being of urban residents by improving service levels at public toilets, developed the App wishes to add more features s o c i e t y, p h y s i c a l m o n e y w i l l s t i l l b e in the app. He lamented on the need for the App facilitating the construction of household toilets and creating enabling comprehensively used for standard trades and environment for sanitation improvements. to sum up the detected currency and also businesses, how will the visually impaired people detected counterfeit money. All these ideas are In line with the project objectives, the CRS has rehabilitated do money transactions smoothly?” he quizzed. seven public toilets in the Tamale Metropolis and the Sagnerigu future scope of the project which can be The application uses speech-to-text possible if he gets grants and supports from the Municipality, as well as assisted in managing solid waste. methodology, and pronounces the detected The Urban WASH Project has so far facilitated 159 household Governments and other stakeholders in the currency audible to its users. It also has a feature for country. latrines, serving 1,124 beneficiaries in the Tamale Metropolis and the making telephone calls. The visually impaired can rainbowradioonline.com Sagnerigu Municipality. give an oral command, by mentioning the contacts Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 9 Four Holy Spirit Sisters Profess Perpetual Vows

our members of the urged the sisters to live a life Ghana-Province of pleasing to God, and stay Ft h e M i s s i o n a r y truthful to their consecrated Sisters Servants of the Holy cause. He commended them Spirit (SSpS) Congregation for discerning and pursuing recently professed their t h e i r v o c a t i o n perpetual vows at the St. n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e John the Baptist Catholic challenges. Church at Odorkor in Sr. Josephine Essuman Accra. thanked persons who had been They are Sr. Josephine with them through their Essuman, Sr. Cynthia Addi- formative and spiritual C h a n a g e a , S r. D o r o t h y process. Sedinam Kporyi and Sr. T h e M a s s w a s Charlotte Dery. concelebrated by several T h e M o s t R e v . Priests, attended by some Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Religious, the lay faithful and Bishop Fianu with the Jubilarians. Bishop of the Ho Diocese, well-wishers. who presided over the Mass Osu Knights of St. John Assists St. James Church

he Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies Auxiliary of the Osu St. James Catholic TChurch, Accra, recently donated liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, tissue papers, and face masks to the Church to fight the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The President of the Commandery, Benjamin Acolatse and Yvonne Chabah, the Auxiliary President made the presentation in the company of some officers of the Order. Mr. Acolatse indicated the gesture was part of the Commandery's fifth anniversary charity work. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Cudjoe expressed gratitude for the donation, and prayed for God's intervention to Some members of the KSJI and Priests with the items. contain the pandemic.

Accra Dagaaba Union Assists Wa Diocesan Priests’ Home Project

he St. Peter Dagaaba Union in the Accra Archdiocese recently presented GH¢10, 000.00 to TBishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, M.Afr. of the Wa Diocese, in support of a Priests’ home project. The Union Chairman, John Bosco Laaso, in making the presentation said it was the Union's aim to mobilise human and material resources for its home Diocese. He thanked the Very Rev. Fr. Nimorious Domanzing, Spiritual Director and Patrons and Patronesses of the Union for their immense support to the Union. Bishop Baawobr, who received the cheque expressed gratitude to members of the Union for the gesture, saying the offer had come at a good time when the first phase of the project to accommodate seven aged and sick Priests had started. The Union presented a letter of congratulations to Bishop Baawobr on his new papal appointment as a Member of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. Emmanuel W. Wullingdool//Radio Angelus The delegation presenting the dummy cheque to Bishop Baawobr. 10 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 h e Abolish Harmful Caritas Ghana Donates to International ‘Kayayei’, Persons With Disabilities TFederation of Traditional Practices: Women Lawyers - Ghana (FIDA-Ghana), o n A u g u s t 2 4 FIDA Tells reminded the National House of Chiefs of its House of Chiefs c o n s t i t u t i o n a l mandate to eliminate outmoded customs that are a clear breach of the traditional customs. realisation of the human rights of In a statement signed by Afua women and girls”. Adotey, FIDA-Ghana President, The FIDA-Ghana particularly and copied to the Ghana News called on Togbe Afede XIV, the Agency, FIDA-Ghana cited Article President of the National House of 272 (c) of the Ghana Constitution to Chiefs to lead the exercise of the Chiefs. eliminating harmful traditional The National House of Chiefs practices and customs that amount to shall, “undertake an evaluation of torture and threaten the liberty and traditional customs and usages with security of women and girls. a view to eliminating those customs “This is the only way to stop the and usages that are outmoded and recurring traditional incidents of harm socially harmful,” the article and sometimes death of women and provides. children in Ghana,” FIDA-Ghana According to FIDA-Ghana, urged. FIDA-Ghana's reminder comes The Caritas Ghana Team and the item in a truck. b o t h t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a n d international law give the National against the backdrop of a recent House of Chiefs a “carte blanche to lynching of an old woman, Madam he Humanitarian Support Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo overturn cruel and inhumane Akua Denteh in the Savannah Region, Team of Caritas Ghana on expressed joy at the progress being traditions and ultimately to modify alleged to be a witch. TAugust 26 began dispatching made to reach out to the poor. goods worth over GH¢430,000.00 to T h e s u p p o r t i s p a r t o f the Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and interventions being supported from Tamale Archdioceses for onward 99,785.56 Euros grant that Caritas distribution to about 800 indigent Ghana benefitted from the Caritas poor whose livelihood conditions have Internationalis COVID-19 Response been worsened by the COVID-19 Fund (CI CRF). pandemic. Caritas Ghana was grateful to The package include food ration, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' temporary shelter materials like mats Conference, the Dicastery for and blankets, Health and Sanitation P r o m o t i n g I n t e g r a l H u m a n materials for some rural health facilities. Development at the Vatican and Some displaced female Head Caritas Internationalis for the Porters (Kayayee) from the cities, generous support that has enabled it Persons with Disabilities and other to reach out to the poor. vulnerable populations will benefit from T h e C a r i t a s G h a n a the project which is part of the Ghana Humanitarian Response Team was Catholic Bishops' Conference's led by Rev. Sr. Regina Ignatia Aflah, COVID-19 Response Plan. HDR. The Executive Secretary of Caritas Source: Caritas Ghana/fb

Diocesan Priests Visit Accra Archbishop xecutive Board members of the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests' Association (NUGDPA) on August 21 visited Ethe Accra Metropolitan Archbishop, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie at his Residence. They offered prayers and support to the Archbishop, and engaged him in a fruitful interaction. The members were the Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Kuusah, President of the Association, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Liashiedzi, Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Terence Adzimah, CEHUD Director and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obeng Cudjoe, the Public Relations Officer. Also present were the President of the Accra Archdiocesan Priests' Association, the Very Rev. Fr. John Neumann Tettehfio and Rev. Fr. Patrick Quarcoopome. Archbishop Kwofie expressed his gratitude to the Association for their kind gesture. The delegation that visited Archbishop Kwofie. Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 11 he Most Rev. Vincent Bishop Boi-Nai COURAGE IN ADVERSITY Boi-Nai, Bishop of TYendi on August 14 Dedicates Chapel By Prof. Michael Ogunu, Nigeria dedicated a chapel for the Marian Sisters of Eucharistic hat does one do when afflicted for Convent with suffering that is not Love (MASEL) at Sang in the Mion district of his Diocese. Wcured by either medicine or attention to mobile phones, while Christened 'Our Lady of through prayer? Sink into self-pity, or Masses are going on. grow hard, cynical and bitter or perhaps Providence', the 300-seating openly rebellious against life as a whole? capacity chapel has a sacristy, Explaining the architectural Such attitudes are not calculated to get with a built-in tabernacle at the significance of the chapel, which took the best out of life, nor do they richly develop centre of the sanctuary rather two and a half years to complete, Rev. human personalities and bring out their than on the side. Sr. Stan Terese Mario Mumuni, founder latent strength. Rather they are self of the MASEL, said central positioning stultifying, and spell defeat at the very centre Concelebrating the Mass were Most Rev. Philip Naameh, of the chapel and tabernacle signify the of the personality. Eucharist as indeed the centre of the Storm and earthquake, wind and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Catholic faith. tempest, difficulty and danger, frustration *Prof. Ogunu Tamale and Priests from the and handicap challenge our endurance and Accra, Tamale Navrongo- Bishop Boi-Nai commended the our courage and if we face up to them, we Bolgatanga, Damongo and Yendi project consultant and the contractor emerge from our contact with them stronger Dioceses. for a good job done, and thanked the and bigger for our having them. so lame that she could hardly walk. benefactors and all who supported the Such was the experience of Robert Ashamed of her, her rich parents locked her A r c h b i s h o p N a a m e h anointed the walls of the chapel construction of the edifices. Louis Stevenson, the famous novelist who up for years. Finally, they deliberately lost Representatives of Religious suffered from tuberculosis. Robert Louis her in a distant city. Abandoned, Margaret and blessed the 16-room Congregations and children of the Stevenson, daily coughing his lungs up was homeless until Dominican lay women convent. continued bravely with his work, writing befriended her and allowed her to join Bishop Boi-Nai in a sermon Nazareth Home for God's Children books of high courage and dauntless them. urged Christians to respect orphanage, which is being managed by adventure. He so inspired the natives of the Despite her miseries, Margaret was the MASEL were in attendance. serene, cheerful and courageous. She never places of worship, reminding Pacific island, among whom he dwelt that them that a church signifies the From Francis E. Monnie, they thought of him almost as a god. He said became bitter, never complained, never CAMP-G once of himself, “I was made for a battle. But reproached others or lost heart. presence of God. He decried the the powers that be have ordained that my Discouragement was a word she did not practice of worshippers who pay battlefield should be that of the sickroom and know. She found strength in prayer, in daily the medicine bottle. At least I have not failed, Mass, in Holy Communion and sought help but I should have preferred a place of from Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Margaret trumpeting and the clear sky over my head”. was courageous because she looked at Such too, was the experience of the suffering with the eyes of faith. She did not ladies in the two stories that follow: know why God permitted her to have so The first story is that of a certain many afflictions. She did know that He was beautiful lady who lived in a Mexican (and is) an infinitely loving and kind village. Her only child died as a baby. Later, Father, who never permits one single after a painful illness and an unsuccessful misfortune without good reason, who operation, she became paralyzed, unable always turns evil into good for His even to stretch her legs. She suffered fre- children. She wondered why people pitied quent painful spasms and was bedridden for her. Was it not a privilege to suffer with the rest of her life, about thirty-five years. Christ? Suffering for her was a way to After her husband died, she refused heaven. offers by family members to move in with Pain made Margaret sympathetic and them or to go to a rest home in a large city understanding towards others. She visited where she could have a better medical care. prisoners, helped the sick and comforted Knowing that her condition was incurable, the dying. Since her death, at the age of she preferred to remain alone in her own thirty-three, she has kept on helping those *Bishop Boi-Nai anointing the house, in the village where everyone knew who pray to her. Many cures have been her. attributed to her intercession. Altar in the chapel The poor people came by her window The well-known Trappist monk (her bed was close to it) to tell her about their writer Rev. Fr. Raymond O.C.S. produced problems and needs, and she in turn gave a book which has a very special them counsel and help. Yet her greatest significance for those who are sick. The donation to people was her suffering. She title of the book is “Your Hour”. It is the had a clock in front of her bed. Every story of seven people who had to carry a morning, she cheerfully started offering one particularly heavy cross of illness. Most of or two hours of her suffering, along with her them, indeed, had to carry it through the prayers through the day, for each person, very gates of death. The individuals either members of her family or anybody described here met their destiny with else she knew who was in need of God's help. fortitude and clear awareness of the She especially remembered the women who tremendously important mission they were *The convent took care of her. fulfilling in life. It is this sense of purpose Even though the local priest took Holy that Fr. Raymond is anxious to instill in the Communion to her everyday, he thought it hearts of all who suffer. The striking thing Advert Rates For Electronic Version would be a great spiritual help for her to at about the people in this book is that their least hear the Mass. A speaker was installed ailments were incurable, and they knew it. of The Catholic Standard in her bed-room. She died early on a Sunday One of them was Rev. Fr. Carl Miller, a morning. At the crowded Masses in the old Jesuit missionary for 22 years in India who Size Cost (GH¢) Church, the priest announced: “A new saint was brought back to the United States Full page 1,300 entered heaven this morning”. Yes, into that suffering from cancer of the pancreas. world where there is no more pain and Shortly before he died he could confide to a Half page 1,000 sorrow. friend: “My best work for India began The second story is that of Blessed when I arrived at St. Joseph's Infirmary”. Quarter page 800 Margaret of Castello. From birth until death, Margaret was grossly deformed. She was To be cont’d next week ugly, a midget, a hunch-back, totally blind, Advertise in The Catholic Standard for better results. 12 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 She noted that the knowledge and skills to Catholic University Organises Annual MCRC was designed to mediate conflicts as leaders. support the system of The training, which Mediation Training legalised ADR practice then i n v o l v e d s i m u l a t i o n in its infancy in Ghana, as exercises, included interest- h e C a t h o l i c dispute was part of human c o n f l i c t w e l l r e s o l v e d well the resolution of based negotiation, ethical existence that needed to be University College becomes positive with time. conflicts professionally. obligations of mediators and of Ghana (CUCG), handled professionally. The Executive Director T h e B r o n g A h a f o T He said the Alternative communication in conflict Fiapre in the Sunyani of the MCRC, Dr. Vida Regional Secretary for resolution, among others. Dispute Resolution (ADR) Diocese has recently ended Korang in a welcome address GNAT, Adobasom Ibrahim, The opening ceremony t r a i n i n g s h o u l d h e l p a professional training said that the Centre since its who was a special guest for was chaired by Prof. Daniel participants to identify the O b e n g O f o r i , V i c e course in mediation for establishment in 2011 had the opening ceremony, said positive aspects of conflict trained about 400 certified the programme was to equip Chancellor of CUCG. L e g a l A i d o f f i c e r s , From Michael Akornoba resolution, adding that a mediators and 60 arbitrators. participants with specialised Traditional Rulers, Church Leaders, Law students and Headteachers. Other beneficiaries of the certified training, held at t h e M a r i a n C o n f l i c t Resolution Centre (MCRC) of the Catholic University, are Leaders of Political Parties and NGOs, Human Resource Managers, Private and Public Administrators and Private Businessmen and Women. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of *Bishop Gyamfi (in white Cassock) with participants. Sunyani noted that conflict or

honour not only to the State Honours Ex-serviceman recipient but to all veterans. He appealed to them to continue to recognise and with Promotion from Private to WO1 appreciate veterans for their past service and contribution hana on August 24 “In contemporary times, who marched to the Osu Castle nation. to the state, to encourage honoured 95 year- this gallant veteran has been on February 28, 1948, to Lieutenant General young officers. Gold war veteran, an Ambassador for Veterans present a petition to the then Obed Boamah Akwa, the W O 1 A s h i t e y Private Joseph Ashitey Association of Ghana, Governor of the Gold Coast, Chief of the Defence Staff, H a m m o n d e x p r e s s e d Hammond by promoting touring some schools in the causing the shooting to death described the work of the ex- appreciation to the President, him to the rank of Warrant Accra Metropolis to educate of three servicemen; Sergeant serviceman as exceptional the Military High Command, Officer Class One (WO1), students and pupils on not Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and and worth emulating. and the VAG, with an f o r p a t r i o t i c a n d just Ghana's history, but the Private Odartey. The Board Chairman of assurance of continuous humanitarian, as well as virtues of patriotism,” the Mr. Nitiwul commended VAG, Major General Clayton service in any capacity. continuous service to the Defence Minister said. G h a n a ' s M i l i t a r y H i g h Yaache, was grateful to the He urged Ghanaians to nation. Ex-Pte Ashitey is a Command and the Veterans President, the Minister of cultivate patriotic spirit and T h e S t a t e h o n o u r World War II veteran, and Association of Ghana (VAG) Defence, and the Chief of the to enhance the image of followed the veteran's two- was among ex-servicemen for selfless service to the Defence Staff for the unique Ghana globally. kilometre walk a day, for seven days, to raise funds to support COVID-19 frontline workers and vulnerable Answers To Last Week’s Questions veterans. on What Do You Know Published This earned him the “Commonwealth Points of on Page 12 Light Award” from the 1. C 11. C Queen of Britain, an award he is yet to receive officially 2. B 12. D a t t h e B r i t i s h H i g h 3.C 13. A Commission in Accra. 4.C 14. A A t a c o n f e r m e n t 15. A ceremony, Defence Minister 5.A Dominic Nitiwul, described 6.B 16. A t h e e x - s e r v i c e m a n a s 7.D 17. B exemplary, who even as a 8. C 18. B r e t i r e e , c o n t i n u e d t o 19. B c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e 9. A development of the country. 10. A 20. C * WO1 Hammond being presented with a citation. Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 13

o l u n t e e r t e a c h e r, Jaimee Perrett , aged New Zealand Volunteer Teacher Stranded V29 of New Zealand left for Ghana , and is now in Rural Ghana after COVID-19 stranded in rural Ghana after Covid-19 slammed the borders hours before it was due to leave. She government grappling to stave off a shut. has yet to receive a refund. second wave of infections, Ms Perrett still She reveals that she has Since then, one commercial and faces an anxious wait. ‘exhausted’ her life savings and two officially sanctioned repatriation Rumours circulating on social is living with villagers beside the flights have also been cancelled due to media hinted the country’s borders were school she travelled to the temporary restrictions on entry into set to reopen before the end of August, but country to build. When Jaimee New Zealand. the Ghanaian Ministry of Aviation has Perrett left New Zealand for On July 7, Prime Minister refuted the claims saying they will remain Ghana, the term Covid-19 had Jacinda Ardern’s government ordered closed ‘until further notice’. not yet been coined. airlines to stop taking inbound A beacon of hope has been the The 29-year-old teacher international bookings for at least remarkably ‘helpful and compassionate’ flew to Ghana in January to three weeks to avoid overwhelming support Ms Perrett has received from staff rebuild a school in Tetrem, a quarantine facilities with a surge of at the Australian High Commission, who Ms Perrett with some children rural village in the centre of returning Kiwis. have been advising her of her right to of the Tetrem community. Ghana, 284 kilometres from the There are currently fewer than emergency loans and charter flights. 50 passenger flights into New Zealand ‘It’s been a huge relief having this capital Accra. Whanganui on the country’s North Island. every week, with just five carriers communication after so many months of But her volunteer work veered off Mr Collins arrived in Ghana in on March operating inbound international no information or response at all. I’ll course when Ghana closed its borders 14, a week before borders slammed shut. services: Emirates, Singapore never forget that kindness,’ she said. ‘without warning’ on March 22, leaving ‘We still don’t know when we can Airlines, China Southern, China Ms Perrett said she has not received Ms Perrett stranded 16,162 kilometres get home,’ Ms Perrett said. ‘Even when Eastern and Air New Zealand. the same assistance from her own away from her home of Nelson on New we leave Ghana, getting all the way to the This string of setbacks has taken government, who only send automated Zealand’s South Island. other side of the world will take a long an immense toll on Ms Perrett, who messages reminding her to register with Four of her flights have been time and we’re still risking cancellations hasn’t received a pay check in over SafeTravel - an advisory service she cancelled due to reduced transit routes and and disruptions.’ eight months. subscribed to seven months ago. caps on arrivals into New Zealand, leaving They are staying in the school with a ‘The first couple of months was Ms Perrett said she is aching to see her no choice but to sleep in a family home local family Ms Perrett met, while okay, because we had the project to her young niece and nephews who have beside the half-finished school she’d volunteering 6 years ago, but conditions focus on. The last few months have reached many important milestones since worked so hard to build - a structure that’s are far from ideal. been exceptionally difficult,’ she said. she left, as well as her beloved dog Cindy, still without a roof. ‘It’s a shared living space and ‘I budgeted for four months here a 16-year-old Jack Russell who she’s had Ms Perrett, who hasn’t been paid there’s a lot of us. I have been staying with and I managed to stretch that to six. for half her life. since December, told the Daily Mail this family since 2014, so it kind of felt It’s definitely time to come home and ‘She’s my best friend! I can’t wait to Australia her life savings have been like staying at home, except this time, get a job.’ see her wagging tail and hug her. I won’t completely wiped out from being trapped without a choice,’ she said. Friends and family have raised be leaving her again,’ she said. overseas for so long. President Nana Akufo-Addo in May $7,120 (NZD) through a crowd- ‘I’m also missing my niece and ‘The days are passing so slowly, and announced the indefinite extension of the funding website: “Give A Little”, to nephews. They’ve taken their first steps, there’s really not a lot for us to do. Money border closure, save for a skeleton service get her on a flight from Accra to said their first words. I can’t wait to dance is low and our savings are just about of repatriation flights to bring stranded London, then home to New Zealand. around and chat with them. exhausted,’ she said. citizens home. But with the cost of airfares ‘I won’t be leaving my country for a Facing the same fate as Ms Perrett is But the first flight Ms Perrett was more than tripling since the crisis very, very long time.’ dailymail.co.uk Sam Collins, a Kiwi volunteer, from booked on that month was cancelled b e g a n a n d N e w Z e a l a n d ’ s German Bishops Accepts Vatican Invitation to Discuss ‘Parish Instruction’

h e G e r m a n “ w i l l s u g g e s t t o t h e d i o c e s e — w i t h t h e feared the text indicated a B i s h o p s ’ C o n g r e g a t i o n t h a t t h e consequence that it can be “ c o n v e r s i o n t o TConference has conversation be conducted ‘directed’ by anyone, clericalisation” because it said Bishop Georg Bätzing with the Presidium of the perhaps even by groups of emphasised the priest’s role of Limburg would “accept Synodal Way, since bishops, ‘officials’ with different in directing parishes. the offer of conversation priests, deacons and laity are skills.” He added that the C a r d i n a l Wa l t e r made by the Prefect of the equally addressed in the instruction encouraged K a s p e r , m e a n w h i l e , Congregation for the instruction.” parishes to see themselves defended the Vatican C l e r g y , C a r d i n a l In effect, there is the above all as a “missionary intervention, saying: “The Beniamino Stella”. suggestion that the Rome community.” G e r m a n c r i t i c i s m The Vatican invitation meeting will be accompanied T h e d o c u m e n t completely misses the to Rome is to discuss the by laymen representing the provoked a mixed reaction actual concern of the new instruction on parishes. “Synodal Process” under way *Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg i n G e r m a n y. W h i l e instruction: the pastoral K n o w n a s T h e in Germany. Cardinal Rainer Maria conversion to a missionary Permanent Council’, the Cardinal Beniamino Woelki of Cologne and footing. But precisely this B i s h o p s ’ C o n f e r e n c e S t e l l a , P r e f e c t o f t h e July 20. Bishop Gregor Maria basic concern of Pope comprising the diocesan Congregation for the Clergy, He made the comments after H a n k e o f E i c h s t ä t t Francis would be highly bishops of the 27 Catholic had said on July 29 that he several German bishops sharply expressed their gratitude topical in view of the dioceses in Germany, made would be happy to receive the criticised the document, which for the text, Bishop Franz- d i s t u r b i n g r e c e n t l y the announcement, August bishops in order to “remove underlined that according to canon Josef Bode of Osnabrück, published numbers of 24, at the end of their doubts and perplexity” voiced law only priests can direct the vice-president of the d e p a r t u r e s f r o m t h e meeting in the Bavarian by the German bishops. pastoral care of parishes. G e r m a n B i s h o p s ’ Church.” t o w n o f W ü r z b u r g , Cardinal Stella said that In a July 28 interview with Conference, described the He was referring to according to the CNA the meeting could take place the Italian newspaper La Stampa, instruction as a “strong statistics issued last month Deutsch, CNA’s German “in due course” if the bishops Cardinal Stella had said “care brake on the motivation which showed that a record news partner, wished to present their must be taken not to reduce the and appreciation of the number of Catholics left the The Bishops further objections to the instruction, parish to the rank of ‘branch’ of a services of lay people.” Church in Germany in 2019. added that Bishop Bätzing issued by his Congregation on ‘company’ — in this case, the Bishop Bode said he 14 THE CATHOLIC STANDARD Electronic Edition Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Highlights of the NPP 2020 Manifesto

he New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ÿ Enact and implement the Broadcasting Bill on Saturday, August 22, 2020, Ÿ Provide resource for Right to Information Commission to operationalise Tlaunched its manifesto for the the Right to Information Law December 7 elections themed: Leadership of Service; Protecting Our Chieftaincy & Culture Progress, Transforming Ghana for Ÿ Pass Chieftaincy Amendment Bill All.” Ÿ Increase budgetary allocation to House of Chiefs The 216-page manifesto gives a Ÿ Codification and digitization of Customary Law and Lines of breakdown of the party’s achievements Succession in its first term of office and outlines Industry developmental initiatives it intends to Ÿ Support Made-in-Ghana products undertake in various sectors of the Ÿ Promote Manufacturing of digital devices locally economy if given the opportunity to Ÿ Produce at least half of Ghana’s sugar needs lead the country for another four-year Ÿ Promote local production of pharmaceuticals term. Ÿ Emphasise assembly of home appliances in Ghana (electric fans, air- Below are highlights of the conditioners etc.) manifesto promises for the various Sports sectors: Ÿ Build Multi-purpose Youth and Sports Centres of Excellence in six new regions Creative Arts & Tourism Ÿ Construct a National Olympics Stadium Complex Ÿ Set up Creative Arts Fund to support artists Ÿ Upgrade the National Sports College into a National High-Performance Ÿ Construct Theatres in Takoradi and Tamale Training Centre (NHPTC) Ÿ Construct large recording studios in Accra, Tamale and Takoradi Ÿ Introduce the Zongo Youth Football Talent Hunt (ZYFTAH) Ÿ Build digital platform for artists to market their products Programme Ÿ Construct one of the world’s biggest convention and exhibition centres in Education Accra. Ÿ Cancellation of guarantor system for students’ load application for all tertiary students except trainee teacher and nurses Transport Ÿ Implement $219 million Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Ÿ Re-launch Metro Mass Transport system Project (GALOP) to improve quality of education in 10,000 low- Ÿ Launch road maintenance infrastructure programme as a source performing basic schools Ÿ Construct new airport in Cape Coast Ÿ Provide Made-in-Ghana digital devices pre-installed with digital Ÿ Construct Ghana-Burkina Faso rail line content for SHS Students and teachers Ÿ Construct a new harbour in Cape Coast Ÿ Expand infrastructure to increase access to professional legal education Ÿ Conduct feasibility study for rail line between Kasoa and Accra Ÿ Complete provision of free wifi at all senior secondary schools, public tertiary institutions and training colleges Social protection Ÿ Ensure enactment and operationalization of Ageing Bill Agriculture Ÿ Ensure enactment and operationalization of Affirmative Action Bill Ÿ Promote import substitution, with special focus on rice, sugar and Ÿ Create single registry for all social protection programmes linked to the poultry Ghana Card for effective management. Ÿ Ensure large-scale private sector investment in processing, packaging and export of agricultural produce Health Ÿ Diversify export-oriented, large scale agricultural enterprises in cocoa, Ÿ Construct 111 health facilities including two psychiatric hospitals, six palm oil, legumes, cereals, rice and horticulture, poultry and meat for regional hospitals, one hundred and one 100-bed standard design regional market hospitals and Centre for Disease Control. Ÿ Construct infectious disease control centres in coastal, northern and Foreign Affairs middle belt zones Ÿ Introduce chip-embedded passport and enhance security of passport Ÿ Remove import duty on sanitary pads Ÿ Implement project to issue machine-readable visa stickers Ÿ Focus on Telemedicine Ÿ Support the development of traditional medicine Infrastructure Ÿ Extension of electricity to cover the entire population Housing Ÿ Construction of Sunyani and Keta Water Supply projects Ÿ Establish National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to provide low- Ÿ Rehabilitation of Weija dam interest loans to Ghanaians to pay rent advance. Ÿ Decommissioning and reengineering of Kpone (Tema) and Oti Ÿ Build low-income housing estates for rent, rent-to-own, or outright (Kumasi) landfill sites purchase Ÿ Establish Ghana Housing Authority (GHA), and a National Housing and Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, President Nana Addo Dankwa Mortgage Finance Company (NHMF) to oversee building of more Akufo-Addo, the 2020 Flagbearer of the NPP said his party considered the housing units. manifesto as a solemn social contract between the electorate and the elected and Ÿ Create Land Banks and provide infrastructure in partnership with land gave the assurance that they were committed to implement the manifesto owners and District Assemblies whose serviced plots will be managed by promises to the letter if given the opportunity. the GHA. “We believe that citizens must be treated with respect. Once given the mandate to govern, we are bound by the promises that we make to the good Governance people of Ghana, and we will set about translating the promises into concrete Ÿ Build consensus towards Constitutional amendments to allow for election programmes”, he said. of MMDCEs on a partisan basis President Akufo-Addo was happy that all the projects they have undertaken Ÿ Integrate all major government initiatives into core deliverable of in their first term of office have been equitably distributed to all parts of the MMDAs country, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind in the development process. Ÿ Improve financing of governance and anti-corruption ministries, He assured Ghanaians that “as President of the Republic, I will do departments and agencies. Ÿ everything within my means to ensure the peace and stability of our country in Assist National Media Commission to implement co-ordinated the run-up to, during and after the polls of December 7, 2020”. mechanism for safety of Journalists. Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2020 Electronic Edition THE CATHOLIC STANDARD 15 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Reflection on Readings: Jer 20:7-9. Rom 12:1-2. Mt 16:21-27 God's Word By Rev. Fr. Samuel Christopher Vodzogbe with prophets who are models for us when we face challenges spokespersons of God, in our own little ways in living the life those who through their of a renewed people in word and in teachings, guided God's deed. c h i l d r e n o v e r t h e As Paul warned us not to conform centuries to know and to the world, what specific example of discern the will of God in order do the 'world' can we glean from the day's hristianity is understood as it. The greatest of these teachers is readings? a living battle between two Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of Peter, in his Jewish understanding Cgreat forces: the life of God who brought the teachings of of the identity and role of the Messiah obedience to God; and the forces of the prophets to completion. (the Christ) tried to dissuade Jesus this world which is identified as We see in today's first reading from His mission as the suffering lifestyle that is opposed to God and the difficulty Jeremiah faced in his servant of God. Peter here represents the teachings and laws of God. Our prophetic ministry as it brought him Fr. Vodzogbe the world's understanding of the destiny, especially, our eternity is a lot of suffering and pain. Suffering Messiah as opposed to that of Jesus. It determined by the choices we make from the people who rejected his ministries brought them sufferings, w a s t h i s w o r l d l y , J e w i s h between these two forces. teachings and admonitions; and also they did not relent, but continued to understanding that Jesus referred to as It is in the light of this that St. Paul the internal struggle he had to the end. This is the great length to the Satan and rebuked in Peter. The in the epistle of today advises us not be endure as to whether to continue which God's chosen messengers had world, day in day out presents values conformed to this world, but rather, we with the ministry or abandon it all to go to enable us know and that seem beautiful, logical and should be transformed by the together. understand the teachings of God to attractive like the forbidden fruit in the renewing of our minds, so that we may In a similar vein, Jesus, the guide us in our life journey on this Garden, but these are anti-God. We discern what is the will of God-what is prophet par excellence foresaw His earth. need to pray for discernment and be Being aware of these sacrifices good and acceptable and perfect. suffering in the hands of the guided by the teachings of God should make us appreciate the great For our minds to be transformed, leadership of the day, but unlike the through the prophets as found in the God has made known to us the Truth of length God is willing to go to keep us other prophets who were killed, He Holy Scripture and continuously his teachings and his laws. in the right path. We, therefore, predicted He would rise again. explained to us by the Church, so as to To help us understand these cannot trivialize sound doctrine that What we can learn about Jesus make decisions that are right and teachings and laws so as to effect the and Jeremiah is their single has been handed on to us through transformation of our minds, God also these great servants of God. acceptable before God at all times. mindedness and total submission to That is the only way to salvation. provided us, through the generations, God's will. Though their respective These servants also serve as role

Fr. Attakruh Calls for ‘Prayers and Support’

he Very Rev. Fr. Chairman of the Parish appointment, Fr. Attakruh in J o h n B a p t i s t Pastoral Council, assured the an address to the youth said TAttakruh, the newly new Apostolic Administrator “now we are in an election a p p o i n t e d A p o s t o l i c of their “continuous support year. Do not let yourself be A d m i n i s t r a t o r o f t h e and prayers.” used by anybody. You cannot Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, T h e M a s s w a s get any good out of violence. has asked faithful of the concelebrated by the Rev. Politics is about building up Diocese to support him with Msgr. James Mesu, Fr. Peter society. Learn to respect the prayers in the discharge of Ekow Kaitoo, the Cathedral opinions of others.” his duties as Apostolic A d m i n i s t r a t o r , F r . T h e A p o s t o l i c Administrator. Marcellinus Sikayena and Administrator also called on “I ask you all for your Fr. Dominic Nelson Tawiah. the Clergy and Religious to prayers as I assure you of New Apostolic unite and work together. “We mine. I will count on your Administrator Urges should see the mission of the prayers to aid me discharge Youth to “Be Church as a collective Ambassadors of Peace” my duties diligently as responsibility and not just the Apostolic Administrator of I n a n e a r l i e r responsibility of any one the Diocese,” he said during development, the newly individual” he said. his maiden visit to the Star of a p p o i n t e d A p o s t o l i c T o t h e L a i t y , h e the Sea Cathedral, Takoradi. *Fr. Attakruh (middle) holding a missal. Administrator for the emphasised the importance of He added “as I have been C a t h o l i c D i o c e s e o f marriage and family life. He reflecting on my appointment prepare the way whilst we all of one person.” Sekondi-Takoradi called on in the past few days, I have the youth in Ghana to be said “Earlier in the year, when await the appointment of a T h e n e w A p o s t o l i c we were unable to attend come to understand my role new Bishop.” Administrator asked for prayers ambassadors of peace, as the as Apostolic Administrator to country prepares for the Masses in our Parishes, we all He also encouraged all for Archbishop Kwofie “that realised the importance of the be like that of Saint John the present to “see the mission of God will grant him good health December general elections. Baptist - someone temporary In an interview with the family as a domestic Church.” the Church as a collective and strength to continue his Sekondi -Takoradi holding the fort of the responsibility to be embraced work.” SekTadi TV a day after the DEPSOCOM Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese to by all and not just as the duty Christian Donkoh, the a n n o u n c e m e n t o f h i s Electronic Edition Caritas Ghana Launches One Million Cedi COVID-19 Emergency

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 Response Project

Continued from page 3 support Caritas Ghana projects in the Vatican To Resume Public is appreciative of what Caritas Ghana is wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. doing particularly in the management of He stated that GIZ sees the project its projects and programmes and that CI as a long term economic support for e- Audiences Amid Virus Recovery insists on the human aspects in all local waste management and providing relief projects. to the vulnerable. He said GIZ has been where pilgrims once stood. he Vatican has announced that Regarding assistance to other in partnership with Caritas Ghana since Faithful began to trickle back to St. after a nearly six-month hiatus Dioceses in relation to COVID-19 2016 and will continue to support its e- the faithful will again be able to Peter's Square after quarantine restrictions T response by the Church, he explained waste recycling programme. He added see Pope Francis in person beginning were lifted in Italy in May, but the Pope has next week with his first public general continued to hold his Wednesday audiences that these Dioceses are already t h a t t h e p r o j e c t t h a t n e e d s audience since Italy lifted its lockdown inside the apostolic palace, livestreaming receiving support from STAR Ghana, commendation. to slow the spread of the coronavirus. them to the public. the French Embassy, the Vatican, and The Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, After the COVID-19 coronavirus In an August 26 communique, the other partner agencies. Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong first broke out in Italy this spring, the Vatican announced that as of Wednesday, Mr. Akologo assured that “all Diocese and President of Caritas Ghana, Vatican in March announced that all September 2, Pope Francis will again hold necessary steps will be taken to ensure and Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary his general audiences outside with the public events and audiences would be that the right safeguarding policies, General of the National Catholic suspended in order to comply with faithful. However, due to health and safety procedures and training are in place to concerns related to the coronavirus, they will Secretariat on behalf of the Bishops' healthcare and safety requirements. detect any safeguarding risk and be held in the Vatican's San Damaso Conference thanked GIZ for the support As a result, Pope Francis began address any issues that may arise holding his weekly public events – his courtyard, where heads of state typically and promised that it would be put to good quickly and effectively”. Wednesday general audience and his arrive for official visits, rather than St. use. Sunday Angelus address – via livestream Peter's Square, in order to keep the crowds Speaking on behalf of GIZ, Mr. R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e from the Vatican's apostolic palace, smaller. Joseph Sikanartey, Technology Policy implementing Dioceses expressed their typically making a brief appearance at the The audiences will begin at 9:30 a.m. Advisor of the organisation, said GIZ is appreciation to GIZ and said they were local time, and are free of charge to whoever window overlooking St. Peter's Square on not a relief and humanitarian agency keen on seeing to the successful Sundays to wave to the empty space wishes to come, with no tickets required. however, it has gone out of their way to cruxnow.com implementation of the project.

SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC STANDARD In Loving Memory of Kindly help us continue to provide you with the electronic version of The Catholic Standard. Since the last week of March this year, we have not been able to sell hard copies of the Paper due to COVID-19. We need your kind and generous donation. You can please send your donation to: MoMo number 0553921791 in the name of Standard Newspapers and Magazines or follow the information below to send us your support.

Bernard (Ben) Rogers BAGNABU November 3, 1943 – August 21, 2015

Former Regional Manager of Catholic Education Unit, Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese.

It has been five years (August 21, 2015) since you left us. As we think about our loss, we pray that the Good Lord will continue to grant you peaceful rest in His bosom.

From your wife, children and the entire Ayifi family.

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