The 2017 Accra East Regional Conference was held at the University of Ghana in Legon-Accra and the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madina-Accra from July 1 to 2, 2017. The theme for the Conference was ‘A Call to Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Service: The Role of the Marshallan’.
The conference began at 8:00 a.m. with a Travellers’ Mass at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at the University of Ghana in Legon-Accra. Thereafter Councils/Courts organized breakfast for their members.
The Plenary Session which took place at the Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana in Legon-Accra began at 10:30 a.m. with Bro. Tom Mawusi, RMC, welcoming Brothers and Sisters to the conference. Sis. Winifred Yennah, DRNL, introduced the Chairperson for the plenary session, MRL Sis. Rose Anastasia Erskine. The Regional Grand Knight, W/Bro. Charles Nuoriyee, RGK, in his welcome address commended Brothers and Sisters for turning out in their numbers for the 2017 Accra East Regional Conference.
RL Sis. Innocentia Amegashitsi, RNL, and Bro. L.C.T. Zaukuu, DRGK, both representing the Tema Region Council/Court read the solidarity message of Brothers and Sisters in Tema. Thereafter Sir Kt. Bro. Gyamfi read the Supreme Knight’s Message, whilst the Grand Lady’s Message was read by MRL Sis. Awunyo Akaba.
The keynote address on the Conference Theme was delivered by Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful Broni, of the University of Education in Winneba. In a very thought-provoking speech spanning many issues of concern to the Catholic Church as well as the Marshallan Confraternity he urged Marshallans to join in the new evangelization. He challenged the fraternity to establish its own Radio/Television Station to spread the message of the Bible as well as the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church.
The afternoon of Saturday July 1, 2017 was devoted to holding of Regional Council and Court meetings. The Regional Court meeting took place at the Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana in Legon-Accra, whilst the Regional Council meeting took place at the St. Anthony Multi-Purpose Centre in Okponglo-Accra.
The Thanksgiving Mass to round-off the 2017 Accra East Regional Conference was held at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madina-Accra. The main celebrant was Rev. Fr. Charles Owusu-Ansah. His homily drew the attention of congregants to the close relationship between the works of Sir James Marshall and the Society of African Mission. He stated that it was the persistence of Sir James Marshall in urging the Vatican to send priests to West Africa that made Propaganda Fide to send priests from the SMA to help in re-establishment of the Catholic Church in the Gold Coast (Ghana) after nearly 250 years of the breakdown (1637) of the first Catholic Church established by the Portuguese in 1482.
The pioneer priests arrived at Elmina, Gold Coast (Ghana) on May 18, 1880 just before Sir James Marshall was transferred from Lagos to Accra as Chief Justice. He gave the Priests every encouragement and assistance in establishing themselves and the faith at Elmina.
Sir James Marshall was also known to have played a significant role in enhancing the growth of the Catholic Church in Lagos and was involved in the preparatory work that led to the establishment of the Catholic Church at Asaba, Southern Nigeria which actually occurred in 1888, long after his retirement.
The Regional Grand Knight, W/Bro. Charles Nuoriyee, and Regional Noble Lady, RL Sis. G. Charity de-Souza, jointly on behalf of the Regional Council/Court presented an undisclosed sum to the Society of African Mission (SMA) to help in the seminary formation of priests for the Church.
At a banquet held after the Thanksgiving Mass a number of brothers and sisters were honoured for their contribution to the growth of the Accra East Regional Council/Court. Those awarded were the past Regional Grand Knights and Regional Noble Ladies of the Accra East Region.
Also given awards were the Best Knights and Ladies of the Components Councils and Courts of the Accra East Regional Council/Court. The Best Knights were Bro. Felix Yeboah Adu-Twum for Council No. 10 (Accra), Bro. Peter Dery of Council No. 63 (Madina), Bro. Yao Godesey of Council No. 94 (Adenta), Bro. Joseph Seth Yeboah of Council No. 100 (Osu) and Bro. Agbeko Doe-Williams of Council No. 155 (Mary Mother of Good Counsel-Airport West). The Best Sister Award for 2016 went to Sis. Mario Akuba Yankson for Court No. 5 (Accra), Sis. Vera Bedie of Court No. 58 (Madina), Sis. Abigail Amo-Tweneboah of Court No. 90 (Adenta), Sis. Kate Ama Anku of Court No. 96 (Osu), and Sis. Belinda Sena Yegbey of Court No. 110 (Mary Mother of Good Counsel-Airport West).
Write-up and pictures by Bro. Kojo T. Vieta, PGA/RADV