A VISIT TO OUR LINK IN GHANA

My last weekend in Ghana.

(June 20th to 23rd.)

The day following our visit to Axim was spent in preparation for a major MU event. This was to include the blessing of the newly built MU Diocesan Office, which is attached to the Bishopscourt compound at Cape Coast. (Incidentally the MU in the Portsmouth Diocese does not have access to an office).

There was to be a J.A.D.M.U meeting, ie. the annual Joint Anglican Diocesan Mothers' Union meeting. I discovered that this meeting had been due to take place in May but had been re-scheduled to coincide with my visit to Ghana. Finally there was to be a 'Walk and Talk' event, organised in support of the Jubilee Debt Campaign - Ghana being one of the countries shortly to be receiving some debt cancellation.

In the small MU Office we arranged pictures of the present and previous bishops and those of past MU Diocesan Presidents. MU in Ghana celebrated its 70th anniversary in October. It was started by the Sisters of the Holy Paraclete in 1933. Their former convent became St Monica's Girls School, Cape Coast in 1978.

During the morning I managed to fit in a visit to the MU Nursery School, which is housed within the grounds of the famous Adisadel College (Senior High School for boys aged 16+). The children, aged 3-6 years, were crowded onto little benches. Three teachers in the one room taught them choruses and rhymes, by rote. I did not see any books or equipment.

Eager hands reached out for the colourful teddies which had been knitted by Mrs Dorothy Bailey. Sadly the gifts seemed pitifully inadequate amongst so many little ones.

Saturday was the 'Big Day' and the Diocesan President, Beatrice Amoah and her niece left early to complete the final preparations.

The J.A.D.M.U. meeting was held in the church of Philip Kwakwe, just outside Bishopscourt. (Revd. Philip Kwakwe (1741-1816) was the first Anglican priest of African origin and was buried in the courtyard of Cape Coast Castle. There are several schools named after him also.)

Representatives arrived from the eight dioceses in Ghana. Mrs Emma Watson, D.P. of Kumasi Diocese, chaired the meeting which began with worship and singing. Each diocesan president gave a report on the projects undertaken in her diocese. The election of a new J.A.D.M.U. President took place. Then came the presentation of long service certificates to elderly members, one of whom had been a member for 58 years.

  I received a snake skin purse from the Tamale Diocese, a beautiful dress from Sunyani and a MU dress inscribed with the words "MU caring and sharing", from Sekondi diocese. Kente cloth stoles were also presented.

  We moved outside for the formal Blessing and Opening of the MU Office. Musicians played, two bishops read prayers, cut the tape across the doorway and popped the MU balloons decorating it. I had been asked to provide two MU keyrings and MU balloons but had no idea of their intended use, until this moment. We all signed the visitors book and then entered Bishopscourt for refreshments, provided by the MU.

After lunch a procession was assembled, complete with musicians and 'Stop the Debt' placards, such as were carried in Birmingham on May 15th this year to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Jubilee Debt Campaign. It was raining by now but the members and children danced their way along the Dual Carriageway - down one side and back up the other - not a single policeman in sight.

Once more we assembled in Philip Kwakwe Church for the 'TALK' following the 'WALK'. I was asked to explain the MU's participation in J.D.C. and describe the recent campaigns. The Chief Minister for Cape Coast, who was accompanied by his umbrella bearer, addressed us, followed by the Bishop of Cape Coast. It pleased me to hear them urging the Ghanaians to take responsibility for their nation's debts and to work towards solvency.

Darkness descended as we set off for Agona Kwangako, which I was to visit the following day. I was dehydrated and feeling unwell by the time we reached our lodging for the night. After consuming much fluid I went to bed. Mrs Subula Thompson very kindly stayed with me.

After breakfast we set off for our branch link at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Agona Kwanyako. To my embarrassment we arrived late and so I had not been introduced to the incumbent Father Augustine Buadi, in whose church I was to give the address.

The interpreter had not turned up, so Mrs Beatrice Amoah, the DP undertook the task for me. Most of the congregation were Fante speaking farmers. The liturgy was in Fante whilst the gospel was repeated in English, for my sake.

Following the Eucharist I presented the gifts sent by our branch to Mrs Faustina Forson the branch leader. Besides cash for the Vocational Centre and the cloth which I had embroidered, I gave crayons and stickers to the Sunday School. The football for the village school was received with rapturous applause.

Finally, I was honoured by being presented with a sash making me the Senior Matron of the MU in Cape Coast.

Photos were taken of the whole MU Branch on the church steps. Opposite was the Vocational Centre which had been rebuilt by the MU members on the site of the old church. Weekdays it is used to educate young people who have dropped out of school. At weekends the MU uses it as a Thrift Shop in order to raise funds for the tutors' fees.

Lunch was provided by Mrs Buadi in the Priest's house. There I saw the plate hanging with the MU Prayer, which we had sent to the Branch many years ago.

All too soon I had to return to Cape Coast, driven by Joseph, Beatrice's driver. That evening, our last in Ghana, we entertained the Bishop of Cape Coast and many of the local priests and their wives. We all dressed in African costumes which were gifts from our hosts. After the buffet we danced.

The dining room was situated above a lake containing crocodiles and our activities stirred up the mosquitoes. Later we moved into the conference hall, to exchange views about the benefits of the links from both the UK and Ghanaian perspective - many of us falling asleep on our chairs.

We departed the following day after a visit to the Eye Clinic at Cape Coast and Accra's Craft market. At the airport the Bishop of Accra, Rt Rev Justice Akrofi was waiting to see us off. He is to be enthroned as Archbishop of West Africa in January. Beatrice Subuola arrived with gifts of photos and a video cassette of my visit.

We were sad to be departing from our recently acquired friends. I trust that our links will be strengthened by the visits. Certainly our prayers for each other will be more meaningful now that we have shared a few days in our link's Parishes, experiencing their joys and problems.

Margaret Symonds