Bees disrupt anniversary church service

Saltpond (C/R), June 27, GNA - A thanksgiving Mass to climax the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Saltpond branch of the Knight and Ladies of St. John International, a charitable society in the Catholic Church was last Sunday disrupted by swarm of bees. The occasion also marked the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of the Catholic Church at Saltpond.

Narrating the episode to the Ghana News Agency at Saltpond, Nana Kwa Bonko, President of church's Advisory Board said the anniversary attracted a large congregation of members of the society and priests from other parts of the country to the service.

Nana Kwa Bonko, who is also the chief of Biriwa, said midway through the service, a swarm of bees who had made their hives in the tower of the building descended on the congregation forcing them to run for their lives.

According to the chief, Mrs Cann, one of the devoted members of the church and a retired educationists died shortly after admission to the Saltpond District Hospital where those who were stung by the insects were rushed for treatment.

He said most of them were treated and discharged but about 12 whose conditions were serious were admitted.

The Church president described the episode as "very unfortunate" and gave the assurance that everything possible would be done to prevent its recurrence.

When GNA visited the hospital on Monday, all the victims on admission had been discharged except one whose condition was still serious.

Meanwhile, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief Executive (DCE) has, on behalf of Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, and on his own behalf expressed sympathy to the members of the Church for the unfortunate incidence. Speaking to some members when he paid a visit to the victims at the hospital, the DCE exhorted them not to let the incidence make them to waiver in their faith in God.

He reminded them of the tribulations the early Christians went through but were still steadfast in proclaiming their faith. Mr Quainoo-Arthur, on his own behalf and that of the MP expressed condolence to the family and friends of Mrs Cann who lost her life in the incidence.