The Catholic Bishop for Damongo and Episcopal chairman for Health, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier has called on Catholic health workers not to lose sight of the fundamental needs of ordinary patients who visit their facilities seeking health care. 

Bishop Angkyier maintained that while health workers focus on maintaining modern healthcare standards, their facilities should become places of hope for those who are sick and in pain. The Out patients departments should feel like welcoming homes where visitors are greeted with smiles and warmth, and emergency rooms, and vital signs areas should offer a gentle touch and radiating companion. 

Consulting rooms should be places of reassurance and clear communication, and wards should provide peace and rest.  The Episcopal Chairman for Health called this statement at the 19th National Conference of the Catholic Health Service Trust in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital. 

The 19th National Conference of the Trust theme "Positioning the Catholic Health Service Trust in an Advancing Technological Era II" was attended by over 200 healthcare professionals from the various Catholic health facilities in the country 

Bishop Angkyier further called for the inclusion of faith-based institutions in Ghana Health Service's network of practice policy. These institutions are integral components of local healthcare delivery systems, and many facilities serve as district hospitals across the country. 

" Without proper inclusion of faith-based institutions, the policies are unlikely to achieve its full potential, especially due to the crucial link to patient referrals." The National Director of the Catholic Health Service Trust, Mr. George A. Adjei Esq, stated that the Trust has embarked on a transformation agenda with a focus on standardization and quality since the Trust was inaugurated last year to strengthen systems through the use of policy and procedure manuals, deploying Safecare and continuous utilization of quality methodologies to drive system-wide improvement of facilities. 

The Catholic Health Service Trust currently, operates 51 Hospitals, 96 clinics and Polyclinics, 11 Health Training Institutions, 2 Diocesan Health Pharmacies, 5 specialized facilities, a Catholic Medicines Centre, and a Pooled Procurement Programme across the country.

 

 

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, S.V.D., Catholic Bishop of Ho and Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference on the 24th of August, 2024, has called on newly ordained priests to focus on preaching Christ's message rather than their own ideas during the 2024 priestly ordination.

Bishop Fianu, delivering the homily at the 2024 Ho Diocesan Priestly Ordination at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ho Kpevele, admonished the newly ordained priests to ensure their teachings truly nourish the spiritual needs of their congregations. He advised them to let their lives serve as examples that attract others to Christ and to perform their ministerial duties with deep devotion. He urged senior priests to mentor younger priests, offering guidance and sharing the practical realities of parish ministry to foster collaborative and effective pastoral work.

The Bishop admonished the new priests to listen to their elders and adhere to best practices, noting that ordination does not equate to complete knowledge. "As Parochial Vicar or Associate Priest, you are to assist the Parish Priest in his parish ministry. You are to substitute for him if the situation arises, according to the norm of law. You are to report to the Parish Priest on proposed and ongoing pastoral plans and projects, which have been legitimately assigned to you, in such a way that you and the Parish Priest, through common efforts, can provide for the pastoral care of the parish (Canon 548 §§1-3)." "Do not turn the outstations into your parish house from where you operate without referencing your Parish Priest. I am not appointing you Parish Priests or Priest-in-Charge. Follow canonical guidelines and do not independently manage sacramental duties without proper authorization."

The newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr. Paul Zigah from St. Joseph Parish, Liati, Rev. Fr. Juliano A.K. Yahadji from St. Stephen Parish, Kpetoe, Rev. Fr. James Gadasu from St. Joseph Parish, Liati, and Rev. Fr. Augustine Osei from St. Mary Parish, Likpe Abrani.

The Bishop tasked the Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr Walter Agbetoh to announce the places of work of the newly ordained and transfers of some priests based on pastoral needs. The celebration was well attended by priests and religious from the length and breadth of the country and beyond. The chief and elders as well as the families of the ordinandi were also present.