Archbishop Naameh with the team of donors in Tamale
The Tamale Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) recently made donations to four Dioceses in Northern Ghana in consonance with an appeal made by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) to support its health facilities across the nation with Personal and Protective Equipment (PPE).
The beneficiary Dioceses, the Tamale Archdiocese, Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Yendi and Damongo Dioceses received a total amount of GH¢20,000.
The donation which was done at different ceremonies was to support the upkeep of priests and the religious of the Dioceses.
Tamale
In Tamale, the donation was presented by Brigadier General (Dr) Anthony Amalba, Grand President, assisted by Noble Sister Esther Konadu who stood in place of the Grand President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
The B/G (Dr) Amalba said the donation was the widow’s mite of the Grand aimed at supporting the Church to look after those who need help most in this COVID-19 period.
Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale Archdiocese and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) who received the donation at the Catholic Secretariat in Tamale on behalf of the Archdiocese, expressed gratitude to the members of the Noble Order and its leadership for responding timely to this need.
He prayed with the Team and wished the Order well. Also, in attendance at the ceremony were other Executive Board members of the Grand and the Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Yitiereh as well as other Staff of the Secretariat.
Navrongo-Bolgatanga
Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, the Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, who received the donation, thanked the Order for always coming to the aid of the Church when called upon and prayed that through the mercy of God, this pandemic would be over and for the people of God to go back to their normal lives.
The presentation was made by the Joint Grand Board Team led by Col. Joseph Weguri (Grand 1st Vice President) who stood in for the Grand President and assisted by N/S Victoria Apaseku and B/G (Prof) Kenneth Pelig-Ba.
Damongo
On behalf of the Order, B/G (Dr) Anthony Amalba presented the donation to the Bishop of Damongo Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier at his residence in Damongo.
He noted that the funds were contributed by all members of the KSJI in the Tamale Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary “as our response to the call by the Church and the hierarchy of the Order to support fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.” He was assisted by N/S Mary Dan-Braimah President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Bishop Angkyier who received the donation on behalf of his diocese, lauded the donors for their gesture and charity works. He noted that the quick response of the Noble Order showed its commitment to working for the common good. The Delegation later participated in a Mass celebrated by the Bishop.
Yendi
The presentation was made at the residence of Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, the Bishop of Yendi Diocese who also celebrated Mass for the delegation, led by Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Anthony Amalba, Brig. Gen. Anthony Baissana, Brig. Gen. (Sir) Joseph Charles Osei, Col. Joseph Bapule, Noble Sister Mary Dan-Braimah, Noble Sister Esther Konadu and Noble Sister Fabiana Amonzem and 1st Lt. Boniface Yinyeh.
Bishop Boi-Nai commended the Noble Order for their love and concern for him and the Diocese any time he came knocking for support and expressed gratitude for the earlier support that he had received from them.
The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) is a prominent noble society in the Catholic Church which was incorporated in New York State in 1886 under the patronship of Saint John the Baptist.
The Order continued to grow inside the United States for many years and in 1992 with the addition of Commanderies outside the United States, the Knights of St. John added International to its name and has since continued to grow enormously.
KSJI is currently present in 18 countries globally Including the United States, Canada, some West African countries, Trinidad, Tobago, England and Germany.
