Ghana: Embark on innovative income-generating activities, Vincentians advised.

Gabriel Asempa Antwi -Accra.

As the Church celebrates World Day of the Poor on the 19 November, the Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Alfred Agyenta, in a keynote address delivered on his behalf at the 3rd National Festival meeting of the St. Vincent De Paul in Bolgatanga, told Vincentians, “We cannot continue to rely on our traditional ways of funding to carry out our activities of taking care of the poor” given the economic pressures facing many Ghanaians.

Seek new ways of funding charitable works

Bishop Agyenta told Vincentians of Ghana that over-reliance on traditional ways of mobilizing funds, including donor support, depending on the generosity of parishioners, and on contributions from the Sunday Masses allotted to St. Vincent de Paul was no longer sustainable.

“The time has come for us to embark on income-generating projects in areas of Agriculture, having thrift shops and grinding mills, among others,” declared the Bishop in his message. “This is the time we need to come out with aggressive, creative and innovative ways of internal mobilization of resources to cater for our activities of taking care of the hungry, the sick, naked, the brilliant but needy students, the homeless,” the Bishop stressed.

Fr. Lawrence Azure, the Vicar General of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, read the Bishop’s message to the gathering.

Many people lost livelihoods to Covid-19

Alluding to the challenges arising from the Covid-19 period, Fr Azure said the fact that many people lost their livelihoods during the pandemic implies that the numbers of people knocking at the doors of SSVP have now increased, thus causing undue constraints to the limited resources of SSVP.

The Vicar General stated that despite the challenges, the spirit of solidarity was strong among many parishioners in Ghana who contribute generously to the welfare of their priests and other vulnerable people.

Advocate for the poor and vulnerable

As the charity arm of the Church made up of laymen and women, Vincentians were commended for their sacrifices and urged to continue performing their activities with diligence and passion.

Fr Azure also advised the Society of St Vincent in Ghana to collaborate with other wings of the Church doing similar works. He further challenged them to advocate for those in need and the vulnerable and empower the youth with carpentry, bakery and other skills to make them self-reliant.

Gratitude to the faithful for their genorosity

SSVP National President, Brother Vincent Joseph Ahulu, expressed his gratitude to the Vicar General and assured the society would adopt the fundraising suggestions.

After a thanksgiving Mass to climax the Vincentian Festival presided over by Fr. Ebenezer Atongdem at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a delegation of SSVP Members visited and donated assorted items, including bags of maize, rice, gallons of cooking oil, packs of drinks, biscuits and sanitary items worth about GH¢ 3,000.00 to the Mama Laadi Children’s Home.

Mr. Ismann Ayariga, Administrator of the Children’s Home, who received the delegation and the donation, expressed gratitude to the society for their gesture.

A successful national festival

The National Festival Meeting, the third to be held in Ghana every 3 years, brought together delegates and representatives from the Accra, Cape Coast, Tamale Archdiocesan Councils, as well as the Sekondi Takoradi, Jasikan, Damongo, Wa and the Bolgatanga/Navrongo Diocesan Councils. Other representatives were the Youth wing of the SSVP.