The Ghanaian Catholic Community in Worcester in collaboration with the African Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, have donated a generator plant to the St. Martin de Porres Hospital, Agomanya, as part of their effort at supporting Catholic institutions in their areas of need back home in Ghana.
The 45KV generator plant is valued at $ 20,983 (GH 83,321.20).
Speaking on behalf of the group at a handing over ceremony at the hospital, Mr. Paul Awortwi-Mensah, Secretary of the community of St. Joan of Arc, Worcester, MA, noted that the Ghanaian Catholic Community has been committed to identifying institutions in Ghana with varied needs and raising funds to address those needs. He said they have supported many Catholic institutions in education, economic and health sectors in the past. Mr. Awortwi-Mensah was grateful to the National Catholic Health Service for their response and guidance in identifying the beneficiary of their generous gesture. He charged authorities at the hospital to ensure the effective maintenance of the plant.
Director of the National Catholic Health Service, Mr. George Adjei, received the donation on behalf of the Bishop Responsible for Health of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum. Mr Adjei expressed delight at the modus operandi of the group, where their support is not informed nor limited to a specific sector but based on needs of institution institutions of the Church. He thanked them and pledged the Service’s commitment to a lasting partnership.
The Executive Secretary of the Koforidua Diocesan Health Service, Mr. Victus Kpesese, also thanked the group and mentioned that his office will ensure the effective use of the generator.
Senior Health Administrator of the St. Martin de Porres Hospital, Mr. Osei Owusu-Bempah, observed that the donation was very timely since the hospital had to depend on its aged generator over the years. The old generator, he mentioned, could only supply power to a few blocks and the fume that it generated was not good for the health of the patients. Mr. Owusu-Bempah said the hospital spent a monthly sum of about GHC 6000 on fuel to power the generator during the load shedding exercise. He also assured the donors that the generator will be maintained and used with care so that it will serve the purpose for which it was donated. He welcomed the donors to the Hospital anytime they were in Ghana to visit and check on the state of the plant.
The Hospital also donated their 60th anniversary cloth and T-Shirts to each of the three representatives of the group from Worcester.