Project 77: Training of catechists in Ghana

Today I recommend to you a project presented by our colleagues from Nakpanduri located in the diocese of Navrongo – Bolgatanga, in the North-East of Ghana. This project aims to train around twenty lay collaborators for the pastoral work of a young team of missionaries.

The parish was canonically constituted on October 26, 2022, under the name of Saint Simon Pierre. Currently, the priestly team is made up of a trainee named Mbika Icard, deacon Jean-Claude Trésor Amani, both from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Fathers Yosef Giday from Ethiopia and Venant Bukuru from Burundi.  Estimated at more than 80,000 inhabitants, the vast majority live mainly from agricultural products: corn, peanuts, sorghum, soybeans, peas, cassava and other vegetables. To this can be added cotton and small livestock farming.

The participation of lay collaborators in apostolic work is very valuable. It is also a recommendation from our founder, Cardinal Lavigerie, which dates back more than 150 years. These helpers need solid training for their work in serving parishioners. This training includes a better knowledge of the Bible, the sacraments and the liturgy as well as the leadership principles required for the spiritual animation of around ten Christian communities scattered over a vast area.

Training sessions of three days each take place three times a year. We are very grateful to you for being able to help cover certain costs associated with these training courses, such as participant transportation, teaching materials, resource people and some administrative costs.

Very sincerely,

Father Dennis Pam, Provincial of Nigeria and Ghana.