By Bro Francis Ekow Monnie
Thursday, August 3, 2017 would forever be etched in the memory of Marhallans in the North Region with the consecration of Council No. 140 at Saints Peter and Paul Parish by the Supreme Knight, Sir Kt. Bro. Ernest Amoako-Arhen, the first since the region was split from the North East Region in August, 2013
This momentous chapter in the expansion of the Noble Order, brings to three, the number of Councils in the Tamale metropolis with the others being the premier Council of the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province, Councils 27 and 102, which sponsored the consecration.
At exactly 14:35hours G.M.T., the Supreme Knight, who was the Consecration Officer, proclaimed the words: “by the powers vested in me, I declare Council No. 140, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, duly consecrated” to a rapturous applause by the 68 Brothers assembled in the chamber of the Sir Kt. Bro. Rev. Fr. Peter Roth Memorial temple, venue of the consecration ceremony.
Other members of the Consecration Team included Sir Kt. Bro. Joseph D. Erskine, the Supreme Secretary who was the Consecration Secretary, Rev. Fr. Joseph N. O. Sackey, Chaplain of Council 102 as the consecration Chaplain and Sir Kt. Bro. Gabriel Yengyie as the Consecration Guard.
Scores of High Officers witnessed the consecration including Worthy Bro. Vitus Ayingayure, the Outgoing Regional Grand Knight, Past Supreme Knights, Worthy Brothers, Past and Grand Advisors, Past and Grand Knights as well as Brothers from Council 93 Damongo, which together with the afore-named Councils in the Tamale metropolis, constitute the component Councils in the North Region.
Also present was Worthy Bro. Victor Adabrey, the visiting North East Regional Grand Knight.
The consecration of the new Council was formerly sealed when it was granted a Charter of the Noble Order which the Supreme Knight handed to Bro. Cletus Ganaa who earlier, was installed the Foundation Grand Knight with Bro. Ndeego Jeremiah Matthew as his deputy.
The Installation Team included Worth Bro. Vitus Ayngayure who was the Installation Officer, Worthy Bro. Samuel Zan Akologo, Vice Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Supreme Council as Installation Secretary, Rev. Fr. Joseph N. O. Sackey as Installation Chaplain and Bro. Gerald Paruzie, Regional Guard, as Installation Guard.
Addressing the assembled Brothers, the Supreme Knight conveyed the felicitations of the Supreme Council to the new Council, saying it shared in the joy of her consecration.
He congratulated Senior Officers from Council 102 and the Regional Council for their hard work that ensured a successful consecration of a new Council in the Region.
He advised Brothers of the newly consecrated Council to put into practice, the admonition of the Deputy Grand Knight at the start of Council sessions by avoiding anger, hatred, malice, urging them to team up and pull their resources to build the Council to enable it blossom.
In his inaugural address, Bro. Cletus Ganaa outlined a range of issues he would focus on as Grand Knight, with the view to advancing the growth and development of the new Council.
In this regard, he pledged to uphold the virtues of integrity and accountability as a means to protecting and preserving the image of the new Council. To this end, he said he would take inspiration from the exemplary track records of former Grand Knights of the Mother Council and continue their agenda of running an open and accountable administration.
He further pledged to work towards the unity of the Council and seek the welfare and progress of all Brothers, adding that he would collaborate and work hand-in-hand with his Noble Lady counterpart in the spirit of unity, charity, fraternity and service, to propel the growth and development of Council and Court.
The Grand Knight promised to project the visibility of the Council by ensuring active participation in all Church activities and also foster closer working relationships with the various Church Societies, expressing optimism that this effort, will be a form of propaganda work for the Good of the Order.
On the expansion and growth of the Council going forward, he promised to take advantage of the teaming youth in the parish to prosecute this agenda targeted at consecrating a Junior Order and also sponsoring the consecration of a Council within the catchment area of the Parish in the shortest possible time.
To promote the spirituality of Brothers, the Grand Knight proposed to institute regular instruction sessions, formation, organized talks, retreats, among others.
He further pledged to uphold the tenets of the Noble Order by supporting Seminaries and Seminarians in their upkeep in addition to the humanitarian work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, orphanages, the poor and the marginalized in society.
The Grand Knight also pledged to pursue a vigorous policy of visitation to Brothers and attend to the needs of those who may require one form of support or another, adding that he would ensure the expeditious remittance of funds due the Supreme and Regional Councils.
He told Brothers of the new Council: “as I take on the responsibility of Grand Knight on my shoulders, I call on you to support me spiritually, physically, materially and emotionally and avail me of their wise counsel at all times. In this regard, I urge you to be “Marshallans and not spectators”.
He reminded them, that the future of the Council will be largely determined by Brothers offering their talents, energies and love in a true Marhallan team effort and urged them to do so willingly and conditionally.
In conclusion, the Grand Knight noted that as he venture into uncharted territory, he may make mistakes on account of his being human. He was however quick to promise that any such mistakes or lapses will not border on ill-will or malice, pledging to give his very self and offer the best of leadership example of service for the good of the Council and the Noble Order at large.
In a brief speech, the Regional Grand Knight lamented that the dominance of Islam is a key factor effecting the expansion of the Noble Order in the Region. He however, noted that Council 27 was making strenuous efforts aimed at opening a Council in Yendi Diocese by early 2018.
He urged Brothers of the new Council to persevere in the initial challenges they will face and strive to take advantage of its location within a vibrant adult and youth community to attract more members into their fold and the Noble Order at large.
He expressed gratitude to Brothers for their generosity and support which made the consecration possible.
Prior to the consecration, the Supreme Knight and the Grand Lady, MRL Sis. Alice Stella Ayebi, accompanied by a delegation of High Officers, had paid courtesy calls on the Parish Priests of the Saints Peter & Paul and Holy Cross Parishes, Rev. Frs. Gerald Zienaa and Hilary Pogbeyir.
OFFICE BEARERS OF COUNCIL No. 141, SAINTS PETER & PAUL PARISH
- Grand Knight – Bro. Cletus Ganaa
- Deputy Grand Knight – Bro. Ndeego Jeremiah Matthew
- Chaplain – Bro. Donatus Derzu
- Secretary – Bro. Hayfor Lem
- Assistant Secretary – Bro. Nicholas Adams Doopila
- Secretary of Finance – Bro. Alber Bugri
- Assistant Secretary of Finance – Bro. Ishmael Akurugu Asolmia
- Treasurer – Bro. Apungu Wepia Justine
- Auditor – Bro. Godred Yeleba-ia
- Readers and Lecturers – Bro. Philip Issahaku Ziblim & Bro. Joseph Nchor
- Propagandist – Bro. Lawrence Sylvester Awetu
- Communications Officer – Bro. Yitiereh S. Paulinus
- Captain of Guards – Bro. Evans Don Yoori
- Inner Guard – Bro. Bugadam Awewora Hanson
- Outer Guard – Bro. Gabriel Pipio
- Organist – Bro. Pascal Yaade
- Welfare Officer – Bro. Alex K. R. Ali
- Master of Ceremonies – Bro. Donatus Derzu
- MaSIF Officer – Bro. Godwin A. K. Abotisums