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The call to serve is a gift from God—Most Rev. Attakruh
The new Catholic Bishop of Sekondi -Takoradi, Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, has reminded Catholics that “the call to serve is a gift from God.”
“My happiness will be to discover that every day, I am there serving your needs.” he assured.
Bishop Attakruh made the call, when he delivered the Homily at his maiden mass at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Cathedral in Takoradi,following his Episcopal Ordination and Installation, as the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, recently.
He called on the Catholicsto open their hearts to serve, their brothers and sisters “because Christ loves those who serve, not those who are served.”
“My call to service includeproclaiming the Gospel of Christ, celebrating the sacraments, loving the faithful, learning from you and caring for those in need.” he stressed.
He, however, asked the faithful not to sit on the fence and be mere observers but they should fully engage as they seek to lay the foundation for the next jubilee celebration of the diocese.
Bishop Attakruh promised to be a brother and father because “together we all share the great task of spreading the good news of God’s love.”
He explained his episcopal motto, ‘Strengthen Your Brethren’, saying he wanted to be seen as someone who empowered others, rekindled apostolic joy in order to overcome all types of apathy and paralysis.
He continued “The joy of the gospel that never fades in the face of adversity is known as apostolic joy. The apostolic joy is a sign of the Church’s love and unity. It’s also an indication that the Church is becoming more powerful. God isn’t a sad God. We are Easter people, and our song is Alleluia.”
He said that as the body of Christ, Catholics could not allow apathy to fester as God’s word encouraged Christians to retain an open mind and accept unity in diversity.
“Let our differences not divide us. God’s gifts aren’t intended for specific people and Numbers 11:25-29 clearly shows that God’s gifts are not limited to a single group of people.
“The sin of jealousychokes out Prophetic words. It only succeeds in causing dissatisfaction and dividing people. Jesus teaches his disciples tolerance and acceptance . As a result, Jesus advised us to seek out those who had God’s spirit and talent.”Most Rev.Attakruh said.
Quoting from Revelations, he admonished the religious to always remember their first love for their vocation, with the energy and motivation to respond to the call of God.
To the faithful, he said, “In this era,you cannot be lukewarm because being lukewarm is the opposite of bearing witness which is the core mandate of all Christians.
“You, therefore, need to be committed to your married life, family life and workplace. Again, you should be committed to the values of the Kingdom of God, selfless sacrifice, love, peace and charity.”
Present at the thanksgiving mass were Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Dominic Nyarko Yeboah,Bishop of Techiman, Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kweku Essien, Bishop of Sefwi Wiawso, Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso and Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani, as well as other dignitaries.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
