Marshallan Relief & Development Services (MAREDES)
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Knights and Ladies of Marshall is a Catholic Friendly Society with the Supreme /Grand headquarters in Sekondi / Kumasi, Ghana respectively. The Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and the development wing of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall committed to the needs of society. MAREDES provides relief and development services in line with the fundamental principles and tenets underpinning the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall. The idea behind MAREDES is to provide a framework to harness the legal, organizational and technical competencies of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall spanning over 85 years to undertake and render services more effectively and efficiently to society.
The Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall was started by some 13 lay men in Sekondi, Ghana in 1926 and in 1965 brought the women on board as a national Society of Catholic men and women. It has over the years established branches in Togo, Benin, Liberia and the United Kingdom.
The governing body of the Noble Order is “The Supreme Council” with its headquarters in Sekondi, Ghana, West Africa. The Ladies of Marshall, the ladies wing has also grown rapidly over the years and has its own governing body called “The Grand Court” with its headquarters in Kumasi, Ghana,
West Africa. The Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall has over 6,000 members in units referred to as Councils (Men) and Courts (Women) spread throughout Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Benin and the United Kingdom.
The Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall has endeavored to pursue its twin-mandate of “bringing together Catholic lay persons for effective lay apostolate” and to provide a “friendly social forum” for its members. The Noble Order engages in CHARITY, a virtue which the Catholic Church defines as “To love God Almighty above all things for his own sake and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God”.
The Noble Order has over the past 85 years undertaken a myriad of social actions in the various communities, giving to the poor, supporting education of needy pupils, contributing towards the provision of clothing and shelter, especially in times of disaster, visiting and providing for the sick,
Supporting prisoners, supporting the education of priests and various charitable and community service throughout the country Ghana such as the Children’s Hospital, Mental hospitals, Weija Leprosarium, and the aged. In 2006, the Noble Order of the Knights of Marshall celebrated its 80th Anniversary. Since then, the Noble Order has looked forward to being more effective. This desire saw in 2011, the leadership of the Society, both the Supreme Council and the Grand Court forming a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) known as Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES) to be the development wing of the Noble Order and a vehicle to rollout more effectively works of charity and community service.
Through MAREDES, the Society will deliver more effectively on its mandate of practicing Charity and contributing to the ‘Common Good’ of society.
LEGAL STATUS / PARTICULARS OF REGISTRATION
MAREDES was registered on 28th October 2011 with the Registrar Generals Department as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Registration No. G-38608
VISION
MAREDES is inspired by the Marshallan mission to “take Christ to the World’ as one of its fundamental pillars of CHARITY. In this light, MAREDES’ vision is to help create ‘a community where the poor, the distressed and needy find friendship, love and practical support as a human being in
God’s own likeness”
MISSION
The mission of MAREDES is to harness available charitable human, financial and material resources to empower and strengthen the life coping capacity of vulnerable individuals and communities”
VALUES
i. Our operations to be guided by the social teachings of the Catholic Church
ii. Uphold the values and ethics of the Catholic Church
III. Support for the poor, the marginalized and the disadvantaged.
IV. Spirit of patriotism and civic responsibility
v. Generosity and spirit of philanthropy
vi. Practice of Sympathy and Empathy
ORGANIZATIONS LOGO
Our Organization’s logo and choice of colours captures the vision, mission and values of MAREDES as explained below:
• Globe: Representing the world, our global reach and perspective
• Blue: Love of charitable works and love of neighbour
• Red: Commitment, dedication and zeal with which we do our work
• White: Peace, transparency and integrity as our guiding principles
• Cross: Represent the cross of Christ, our symbol of sacrifice, salvation and comfort to the poor
OUR ORGANIZATION’S GOAL
To provide complementary development and social services to communities and the marginalized in Ghana
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
I. To provide physical, spiritual, economic and social relief to persons and groups affected by poverty, conflict, disaster and political circumstances.
II. To promote education and awareness on migration in Ghana
iii. To undertake relevant research necessary to influence policy change and practice in Ghana especially in areas of interest to the organization, the Catholic Church and the Noble Order of the Knights of Marshall.
IV. To undertake training and other capacity building initiatives with the aim of empowering poor people and communities.
v. To raise funds both locally and externally from Individuals and corporate entities to support the objectives of the organization
VI. To network with relevant agencies of civil society organizations, public sector, private enterprises and other international institutions in areas of common and mutual interest and benefit.
AREAS OF FOCUS
I. Disaster Relief and Charity Works
ii. Support for the socially marginalized
III. Migration and child trafficking
iv. Support to prisons and inmates
v. Research and Development
OTHER SERVICES MAREDES CAN PROVIDE
i. Training and Education
ii. Setting up a Business
III. Finding Employment
iv. Health Care
v. Medical Needs and Integration
vi. Mentoring Opportunities
ORGANIZATIONS EXPERIENCE
Our Organizational experience is founded on our more than eighty five (85) years, i.e. since 1926 of charity and community service to various groups across the length and breadth of Ghana including but not limited to:
I. Pantang and Accra Psych iatric Hospitals (Mental patients)
Ii. Children Hospitals (Children including abandoned and orphaned children)
III. Special schools for children who are mentally challenged
IV. Weija Leprosarium (Lepers)
v. Tamale, Kumasi, Sekondi, etc Prisons (prisoners)
vi. Help Age Ghana (Aged and vulnerable)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors are individuals with specified areas of expertise:
1. Sir Kt. Bro. Edward Aloysius Prah (Chairman, ManagementConsultant)
2. RL Sis. Anderson Yebuah (Legal Consultant)
3. Sir Kt. Derx Baffour (Pharmaceutical Consultant)
4. Sir Kt. Bro. Fosuaba Mensah Banahene (Private and Public Sector Management)
5. Sir Kt. Bro. Joseph Kofi Harlley (Public Servant)
6. Wor. Bro. Ambrose Yennah (Management Consultant)
7. Wor. Bro. Dr. Andre Kwasi Kumah (Medical Consultant)
8. Bro. Rev. Fr. Dominic Amegashitsi (Chaplain in charge of Spiritual matters)
9. Bro. Samuel Zan Akologo (Public Policy and NGO Management and Board Secretary of MAREDES)
10. Sis. Agnes Gandaa (Educationist and Gender Specialist)
11. RL Sis. Rose Erskine (Retired Nursing Officer)
12. Sis. Clara Banoueg-Yakubu (Media Consultant)
13. Sir Kt. Anthony Gyedu-Adomako (Disaster Management Consultant)
14. Sir Kt. Ekow Painstil (Aviation Consultant )
HUMAN RESOURCE
• 14 – Member Board of Directors
SPECIALIZED DEPARTMENTS
I. Programs and Public Relations
ii. Social Research & Development
Iii. Safety, Health and Environmental Management / Protection
iv. Human Resource, Finance & Administration
v. Legal and Counseling Services
THE KEY PERSONNEL OF MAREDES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
I. Executive Director
ii. Programs and Public Relations Officer
III. Research and Development Officer
iv. Environment, Health & Safety Officer
v. HR, Finance & Accounts Officer
vi. Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
vii. Administrative Secretary
viii. Driver/Messenger
TARGET AREAS OF OPERATIONS
I. Community & National Disasters
ii. Refugees and Resettlement
III. Human (Child) Trafficking
iv. HIV/AIDS
ADDRESS
• P. O. Box 2937, Adabraka
Accra, Ghana
Location
• Office premises of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall,
Holy Spirit Cathedral,
Adabraka, Accra.
AUDITORS
AED@ErnestDawlah
(Chartered Accountants & Management Consultants)
P.O Box 3934, Accra,
Ghana
BANKERS
• Ghana Commercial Bank,
Osu, Accra, Ghana.
