Sr. Angela Akeje, Congregational Development Officer for the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), has commended the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate, for his maximum cooperation to the Sisters managing Projects in his Vicariate.
During a working visit to MSHR funded projects in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, Sr. Akeje praised Bishop Asiedu for his simplicity and openness which is helping the Sisters work effectively.
In an audience with him in his office in Donkorkrom on April 28, 2025, the Nigerian-born missionary, who had come from Ireland, acknowledged the tough living conditions of the Bishop and his flock in the Afram Plains.
She appreciated “the joy, peace, serenity and collaboration” existing between the Bishop and the Sisters.
“It is wonderful and commendable! I find that very inspiring and encouraging,” she applauded.
Sr. Akeje, who was visiting the Afram Plains for the very first time, expressed that it was worthwhile visiting, as her coming bridged the gap between what she reads on paper and the reality on ground.
Recounting her experience of having to wait at the riverside for over an hour for the panthoon (ferry) to finish loading, and then experiencing the bad roads to Donkorkrom, she admitted that it made more sense to her when the Sisters on the project write to her about the bad roads, on which they have to transport patients for referral and sometimes, the length of time they spend waiting for the panthoon.
Sr. Nkechi Oraebosi Caroline, Regional Leader of the Holy Rosary Sisters in Ghana, and In-charge of the Vicariate owned Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom, led the Congregational Development Officer to meet the Bishop.
She expressed that the Bishop is “human” and his utter simplicity, generosity with his time and resources had helped them to do a lot for the Vicariate.
“He is indeed a father,” she remarked.
Bishop Asiedu, who prior, to the audience had personally gone to welcome the Development Officer at the Holy Rosary Convent Asikasu-Donkorkrom, upon her arrival, expressed deep gratitude to her for the visit.
According to him, the visit would help them to evaluate themselves whether they were on track or not, as far as MSHR and donor expectations of the projects are concerned, and seek ways of correcting their lapses, if any.
He was further thankful to the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary for the projects of Health Care and Education, they have helped to implement for the Vicariate, which according to him, are “very key projects that touch on the core of our mission” and fall within the missionary plan of the Vicariate.
The Local Ordinary expressed the openness to collaborate more with the Sisters in the realization of God’s Kingdom in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, despite the challenges.
The monitoring visit of Sr. Akeje, which ran from April 23 to 28, 2025 featured various meetings with Stakeholders of the respective projects; at the Holy Rosary Health Centre Amankwakrom and environs, as well as the Holy Rosary School, Donkorkrom. She also visited some schools and communities where the Sisters had carried out sensitization against Teenage pregnancies and the Importance of Hygiene.
The projects that were under review at the Amankwakrom Health Centre included: the ultra-modern Maternity Block, complete with a Mid-wife Station, Antenatal Ward, Delivery room, Post-natal ward, Waiting room, Reproductive Child Healthcare unit, Scan room and administrative offices, along with contemporary restroom facilities.
Others were: the fencing around the compound, a functional Information Management System, an ambulance for referral and a Staff Canteen nearing completion.
The Development Officer also paid a visit to the completed projects of an Administrative Block and Staff quarters at the Holy Rosary School, Asikasu-Donkorkrom.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate).
