About 40 Marshallans together with some friends and loved ones joined Worthy Bro. Samuel Zan Akologo, the Vice Chairman of the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee of the Supreme Council and his family to celebrate his 60th birthday at a Thanksgiving Mass held at the Holy Cross Parish in Tamale on 10th June, 2017.
Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Archbishop of Tamale, who was the Principal Celebrant, described W/Bro. Zan in his homily as a “focused person who believe in his convictions”, recalling his youthful days where he was actively engaged in the youth apostolate.
He noted with pride that over the years, the Jubilant had flourished saying “God has endowed him with great insights and the spirit of service for his personal good and the good of Mother Church”. Recalling his work subsequently in the education sector, he described him as the “live wire” for the yeoman’s role he played in the management of schools in the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop similarly praised him for availing the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) his vast experience and expertise in project management and in Non-Governmental Organisations as Head of the Human Development Department now Caritas Ghana in the service of the poorest of the poor and the marginalised in Ghana and for his liaisons with authorities and institutions in Rome on behalf of his colleagues Bishops.
He added: “Samuel Zan is always the first to know when it come to issues from Rome and will dutifully prompt the Bishops”. He said the GCBC is proud of him, expressing hope that he will continue his leadership role to help bring relief to the poorest of the poor, the marginalised and disadvantaged in society.
He blessed and committed the Jubilant, his wife, RL Sis. Patricia Lamisi Zan, their four children and other members of their family present into God’s care, expressing hope that he will continue to be a model and that his faith will trickle down to his family for the benefit of the Church and society.
Among the High Officers in attendance were Sir Kt. Bro. Gabriel Yengyie, RL Sisters Christian Nwini and Mauricia Dakorah and the GK of Council 102 Bro. Conrad Kuuder and his successor, Bro. Jonas Nemboni as well as Sis. Perpetua Dunee PNA and Bro. Philip Issahaku PGA etc.
Concelebrating with the Archbishop were Rev. Msgr. Thomas Anamooh, the Rector of the St. Victor’s Major Seminary who represented the Bishop of Navrongo/Bolgatanga Diocese, Rev. Frs. Edward Kuukure, a Vice Postulator of the Beatification Cause of the Servant of God, Peter Cardinal Porekuu Dery, Hillary Pogbeyir, the Parish Priest and Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Sebastian Zaato, Director of the Caritas Office of the Archdiocese and Joseph N.O. Sackey, Director of the Department of Pastoral and Social Communications of the Archdiocese.
Born on June 10, 1957, in Nakpanduri in Northern Region, W/Bro Zan hails from Zuarungu-Moshie.
He was initiated into the Noble Order on 9th December, 1995 to Council 27, Tamale. He became the founding Grand Knight of Council 102, Holy Cross Parish in Tamale and had served in several offices of the former North- East Regional Council and later North Regional Council.
He was adjudged the best Knight for the North Region for the 90th Anniversary Awards.
He has been a Supreme Councillor since 2014, where he had played active role in putting together the Strategic Plan as the Committee’s Vice Chair and still Vice Chair of the SC Strategic Plan Implementation Committee.
He was a member of the SC ‘s Constitution Review Committee and also helped to develop the conceptualization of the Marshallan NGO – MAREDES and had served as its Board Secretary to date.
He is currently the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department of Human Development and Head of Caritas Ghana.
REPORT BY: BRO. FRANCIS E. MONNIE