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Make peace with your past — Father Michael Lapsley
It is hard to deal with the trauma of devastating events such as accidents, loss of a loved one, epidemics or even war and ethnic conflict.
Though some people are able to quickly put themselves back on track, the “emotional scar” for others could linger on for life.
However, Father Michael Lapsley, Director of the Institute of Healing of Memories, says individuals, groups and nations must endeavour to make peace with their past and embark on a “journey of recovery,” irrespective of the level of “pain.”
Speaking to The Spectator ahead of the institute’s workshop, in partnership with Action by Christians Against Torture (ACAT) Ghana, he observed that “many people seem to be living normal lives but they still have unfinished business from the past,” hence the need to find possible ways of healing old wounds.
He said it was important for individuals to open up about negative experiences instead of trying on their own to deal with unfortunate real life situations.
“There is always the issue of how to deal with the past; and temptation has been to simply burry and forget the past but the problem is when we try to do that, it never works. The past keeps coming back to bite us. It keeps haunting us in various ways,” he said.
The Healing of Memories workshop scheduled for August 11 to 21, 2021, at Sokode in the Volta Region, seeks to train local facilitators and help participants find solutions to their worst experiences.
Explaining the ‘Healing of Memories’ concept, he emphasised that when people shared their stories in a safe space, they “begin to feel less alone and begin to see that it is possible to live another day and also find meaning in their life.”
Father Michael Lapsley is an Anglican Priest born in New Zealand and trained as a priest in Australia before moving to South Africa. During the days of apartheid racial discrimination, he became a chaplain to Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress and a target of the white supremacy.
In 1990, while in Zimbabwe, he opened a letter that turned out to be a bomb. He lost both hands and one eye. Upon surviving the attack on his life, he established the Institute for the Healing of Memories.
Now, 72, he uses his experience to connect with other persons who have experienced trauma and help them to find healing and to deal with their personal challenges.
His memoir titled “Redeeming the Past: My Journey from Freedom Fighting to Healer” has so far been translated into 12 different languages.
The organisation with footprints in a number of African countries works with prisoners, persons affected by HIV and AIDS, and tackles issues of gender-based violence.
Father Lapsley said the institute was working to “break the cycle that turns victims into victimisers by giving people the chance to deal with what they have inside them.”
He believes there is a link between healing and justice because “the more people heal, the more they are able to participate in struggling for transformative justice.”
The clergyman urged religious groups to create safe environment where people can tell their stories and “earn comfort and encourage from one another.”
By Ernest Nutsugah
News
People of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief- Roads and Highways Minister
The Minister for Roads and Highways has assured that the people of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief.
This follows an update from the Ministry on the Ho-Aflao Road and Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road
The government has taken steps to fulfill its promise to reconstruct the Ho-Aflao and the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road.
Yesterday, the Minister, Kwame Agbodza, accompanied by the deputy minister, Alhassan Suhuyini, led a team of engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority to assess the conditions of the roads and plans for urgent intervention.
Mr.Agbodza indicated the whereas the Ho-Aflao Road will be reconstructed under the Big Push Agenda of President John Mahama, the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road will be funded through the Roads Ministry’s 2025 budgetary allocation.
The Minister further explained that feasibility studies, drawings, and designs for the Ho bypass are almost complete, with procurement and construction set to begin soon.
News
Gender Minister participate in 2025 IWD Women’s Dialogue
On Saturday March 8, 2025, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, participated in the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) Women’s Dialogue.
The event, held under the patronage of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, brought together policymakers, leaders, and advocates to discuss the theme: “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment.”
The dialogue aimed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while addressing the challenges they continue to face.
It also provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that would accelerate action on women’s rights and empowerment, fostering collaboration on gender equality initiatives.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for inclusive and sustained efforts to promote women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and educational advancement.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reiterated the urgency of accelerating action on women’s rights, equity, and empowerment.
She acknowledged the progress made in advancing gender equality but stressed that significant challenges remain, particularly in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
She emphasized that discussions should go beyond identifying these challenges to taking deliberate and transformative actions to address them. She called for concrete steps to turn commitments into lasting change, urging stakeholders to work together to develop policies, shift societal norms, and economically and politically empower women.
Underscoring the theme “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment,” the Minister called for a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and drive real, measurable change.
She urged policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate on initiatives that empower women economically, challenge societal norms, and create inclusive spaces for women’s voices to be heard.
The Minister further emphasized that:
“Gender equality is not just about rights—it is about ensuring that women have the power and resources to shape their own destinies and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
She reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s Government commitment to advocating for gender equity and encouraged meaningful dialogue to inspire actionable strategies.
In conclusion, she called on all participants to actively contribute to shaping a future where women’s rights are fully realized, emphasizing that every action counts in achieving true gender equality.
