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Catholic Priest advises mourners: Sympathise with the bereaved, don’t ‘feed on them’
● Reverend Father Joy Ofori-Kumeni expressing appreciation
Are you one of those persons who go to funerals to mourn with the bereaved family or you go there to see how the family will be disgraced because they do not have the means to have an extravagant funeral?
The Vice Rector of the St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom in the Greater Accra Region, Very Reverend Father John Doe Dormah, has advised all persons in the latter group to desist from their actions.
Delivering his homily at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Madina, during the Thanksgiving Mass for Reverend Father Joy Ofori-Kumeni’s ordination recently, Very Reverend Dormah, said it was disheartening that funerals had graduated to a level where families were financially burdened.
He noted with concern that instead of people going to console the bereaved, they rather went to “feed on them” which ended up leaving some families who had lost loved ones in debt.
The Vice Rector said such behaviours of some Christians were not good enough and so they should mend their ways.
He again drew the attention of the parishioners to share their food and water with the needy because that was what God wanted.
Very Reverend Father Dormah encouraged Christians to make time to visit the hospitals, prisons and those in difficulty to encourage and also pray with them as such acts were significant and meant a lot to those who were visited.
Speaking on fear, he admonished the church to eschew fear and doubt but always trust in God in whatever situation they found themselves because God was always with His children and ready to help them.
He advised Rev. Father Ofori-Kumeni not to compromise his integrity but serve the Lord in all humility.
Reverend Father Ofori-Kumeni on his part recalled his journey as a Presbyterian and later to a Catholic Priest.
He said God sometimes did not require understanding but the trust in Him and encouraged all to do so while expressing his appreciation to his family, the church and asked for their prayers for his journey ahead.
By Dzifa Tetteh Tay
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
