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23 Chaplains from Ghana attend 8th IPCA World Conference in Bangkok
One hundred and twenty-three Chaplains of the International Prisons Chaplains Association (IPCA) have participated in a world conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
The conference, the eighth in the series, which was under the theme “A Living Hope,” and lasted six days, drew participants from 33 countries, including 23 Chaplains from Ghana.
David Buick, the immediate past President of IPCA, said “prisoners need to have hope for the future, and that Chaplains have the responsibility to instill hope in them through the gospel.”
He said chaplains would be doing the world a great disservice if they failed in that regard; hence they should take their work seriously.
The President of IPCA, Marie-Louise of Sweden, asked members to be more committed to supporting and advocating for better care and love for prisoners around the world. He asked them not to relent in their efforts in soliciting continued support for inmates.
The conference, which serves as a platform for networking among IPCA members, is also used to strategise and evaluate IPCA’s impact on prisoners and its consultative status at the United Nations.
A declaration made at the end of the conference called on governments all over the world to apply all aspects of the “Nelson Mandela Rules” and the “Bangkok Rules” for the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women offenders and massive prison reforms.
It also urged churches to promote restorative justice and the necessity for communities to see to the needs of victims and embrace inmates.
It asked them to form ‘Ministry of Prison Chaplains’ to enable them to welcome prison inmates to provide care and support for them.
The National Chairman of IPCA, Ghana, Rev. Steve Mensah, said members would be engineered to provide more support for prison inmates, their families and prisons in general.
Some IPCA, Ghana members at the conference included Dr Mrs Angela Mensah, Dr Evans Ekanem, Apostle James Tetteh, Rev. Philip Ahodokpo, Chaplain Gifty Mussey, Pastor Adjei Sowah, Elder Gyenny-Mensah, and Bishop Asiedu-Peprah.
By Raymond Kyekye
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FOR patrons at a special thanksgiving concert held in honour of parishioners, benefactors and friends at the St. Monica Catholic Rectory at Fan Milk, Accra, Rev. Fr Bonaventure Kweku Quaidoo will continue to be seen as a man of many parts.
Usually seen dressed resplendently in his cassock, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure is known by the faithful as a preacher of the word despite his background in music.
But on this auspicious occasion, the Rector, Rev. Fr Bonaventure Kweku Quaidoo, assumed the role of a conductor of the Central Ceremonial Band of the Ghana Police Service.
In front of the band wielding the conductor’s baton, Rev. Fr Bonaventure conducted the band as they gave a rendition of some of the spiritual hymns of the faithful, thrilling the audience in the event under the theme “An Evening of the Performing Arts in Thanksgiving to Beloved Parishioners, Benefactors and Friends.”
It was attended by the clergy, parishioners and invited guests for an evening that blended sacred reflection with artistic performance.
The Chaplain-General of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Very Rev. Fr George Arthur, opened the programme with prayer, while the closing benediction was given by Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Ebo Blay, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Society.
A highlight of the evening was a classical performance by Dr Kyoung Ok Kim of the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, who reinterpreted Ghanaian melodies to the delight of the audience.
Ordained in 1990, Rev. Fr Quaidoo is a trained musician and former member of the National Symphony Orchestra. Over the past 35 years, he has served in the dioceses of Tamale, Damongo and Accra, integrating music into his pastoral ministry.
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THE 41st Farmers’ Day was held last Friday in the Volta Region, honouring outstanding farmers that contributed immensely in the sustenance of the country’s food basket.
This year’s celebration was themed “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”, reflecting the government’s emphasis on strengthening food systems, promoting local consumption, and building long-term resilience in the agricultural sector.
It was attended by the President, John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Opoku, Regional Ministers and Paramount Chief of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV.
The week-long observance began on December 1, at the Ho Sports Stadium with the official opening of the 2025 National Agricultural Fair.
An 82 year-old farmer, Mr Opanin Abraham Kwaku Adusei from Kwawu Odumase in the Afram Plains District of the Eastern Region, was adjudged the 2025 National Best Farmer.
President Mahama commended the farmers for their dedication and pivotal role in advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, also attributed the current food glut to innovation and resilience of farmers.
Established in 1985, Farmers’ Day has grown into one of Ghana’s most significant national events—celebrating the enduring contributions of farmers and fishers to the nation’s development and economic stability.
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