On September 8, 2024, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, hundreds of Christian Mothers of the Accra Archdiocese embarked on a Marian procession on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon, as part of activities to climax of their 10th Biennial Conference.
The Mothers some in spite of age, defied all odds to join the procession singing Marian songs and praises in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for them in all their endeavours.
After the procession, a Holy Mass to climax the Conference was presided over by Rev. Fr. Albert Apewe Amonzem of the St. Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy, University of Ghana, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Joseph Henry Mensah, Parish Priest of St. Maurice Parish, La, Accra.
In his homily, Fr. Amonzem told the Christian Mothers that the Blessed Virgin Mary loved all, she never discriminated, and hence, they must avoid discrimination among themselves.
According to him, the act of discrimination, division, forming of cliques, gossips, maltreatment of step children, do not grow homes and communities, thus, cautioned the Mothers against them.
He urged them to treat people equally and appealed to them to be compassionate in all their dealings.
He admonished the Mothers to imbue in themselves the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and endeavour to share them with others.
Fr. Amonzem encouraged the Mothers never to be afraid, expressing worry that many at time Christians are afraid of death, sicknesses and financial crisis but assured them that by faith their fears, worries, challenges, obstacles and challenges would be a thing of the past.
The CMA executives led by its President, Mother Eunice Dumashie, donated some assorted items including food, detergents and toiletries to the Handmaids of Divine Redeemer (HDR) Sisters of Accra as their Conference charity work.
He assured them that God who comes in in His own space would restore health to those were sick, saying that “when God visits you, He speaks in a language that you will understand. He (God) doesn’t do things half-half but fully and holy.”
Receiving the items, Sr. Paula Nkansah Otchere, HDR, Superior General of the HDR Sisters, thanked the CMA for the gesture and promised to ensure the items get to the deprived HDR communities.
The leadership also made presentation of detergents to the Legon branch of the Ghana Police Service.
The five-day Conference from September 4 to 8 was on the theme: The Lord Has Done Great Things for me, Holy is His Name (Luke1:49)
It was attended by hundreds of delegates from the eight Deaneries of the Archdiocese- Kaneshie, Kpehe, Osu, Mamprobi, Madina, Ashaiman, Tema and Battor-Ada.
As part of the Conference activities, the Mothers had daily Holy Masses, talks on education, legal and finances, evening with Mother Mary, cooking competition, time with Christian Fathers, Sons and Daughters, honouring of Mother Mary/Gospel Night.
They had medical screening of eye, sugar test, BMI, blood pressure, malaria tests and a talk on cervical cancer.
Speaking on the causes, symptoms and treatments of cervical cancer, Madam Rita Dzifa Ackon, a Nursing Officer (Public Health) Sub Municipal Head, Sakumono Sub Municipal, Tema West Municipal Health Directorate, advised women who are 26 years an above to get an HPV Vaccine if they hadn’t been vaccinated.
The Mothers also had the opportunity to register and print their Social Security (SSNIT) statements and change next of kins led by Mrs. Joycelyn Esiape, the Accra Central District Manager.
Officers from the National Health Insurance led by Madam Kafui Aku Gunu, Public Relations Manager at the Tema District office, were also present to talk on the relevance of being on the National Health Insurance Scheme, explained their activities while some also renewed their cards and others registered.
ABSA Bank was also in attendance to expose the Mothers on SME loans and setting up and sustaining businesses.
All Deanery Presidents were awarded for their hard work in bringing the Association to this height while one dedicated Mother from each Deanery was also awarded as the Presidents’ special initiative.
Damian Avevor
