News
The Sacred Intersection: Ouidah’s Catholic Church and Python Temple
The Sun Hung Low over the ancient town of Ouidah, casting a golden shade over the baobab tree, I walked the short distance separating two landmarks that symbolise the soul of Benin.
On one side stood the imposing Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a testament to colonial-era Christianity. On the other, the modest yet spiritually charged Python Temple, the cradle of Voodoo reverence.
This striking juxtaposition embodies a story of coexistence, resilience, and cultural syncretism.
seated by his shrine
room with a cross hanged at the entrance
temple with the catholic church
Ouidah, a small coastal town in southern Benin, is a place where two spiritual worlds intertwine.
The Catholic Church, introduced during Portuguese expeditions in the 16th century and later reinforced by French colonial rule, brought Christianity to the region.
The basilica’s grandeur speaks to this legacy, its stained-glass windows and towering steeples reflecting the influence of European architects.
Just a few steps away, the Python Temple offers a contrasting narrative—one deeply rooted in Benin’s indigenous spirituality.
Infront of the python temple
•Some traditionalists performing
procession with their emblems behind them
the Catholic church in Ouidah
In Benin, pythons are sacred. They represent fertility, wisdom, and protection.
What makes Ouidah remarkable is not just the proximity of these two spiritual centres but the harmony they share.
Over centuries, the people of Ouidah have blended Catholicism with Voodoo, creating a unique religious syncretism. It’s not uncommon for individuals to attend mass at the Basilica and later seek blessings at the Python Temple.
This duality extends to practices as well. Catholic veneration of saints often parallels Voodoo worship of spirits or deities.
During a visit, a local priest explained that many of his congregants also participate in Voodoo ceremonies, viewing both faiths as complementary rather than conflicting.
Both the basilica and the temple serve as cultural cornerstones, drawing locals and international visitors alike. The annual voodoo festival, held every January, showcases this harmony in vibrant ceremonies that begin with traditional rituals at the Python Temple and culminate in communal gatherings that include Christian blessings.
This festival underscores the resilience of Ouidah’s cultural identity. Here, spirituality is not about division but integration, a celebration of both the old and the new. The basilica and the temple, though rooted in different traditions, stand as guardians of this heritage.
As I framed my shots, the movement of tourists crisscrossing captured the essence of Ouidah’s dual identity. The basilica’s lofty arches contrasted beautifully with the earthy simplicity of the Python Temple. Each photo told a story of continuity and change, of a town’s ability to adapt while holding steadfast to its roots.
Benoit, a Voodoo priest, shared stories of how the spirits of the forest, many of which are now gone, once guided their ancestors.
He said, the common values of both traditions, respect for life, nature, and the divine is a simple one.
The temple houses live snakes, cared for by Voodoo priests who perform rituals invoking Dangbé, the python deity.
According to my great-grand father, the serpents once protected the people of Ouidah during an invasion in the olden days, cementing their place in local folklore.
“The religion story is one of resilience and reconciliation, where the Catholic Church and the Python Temple are not just physical landmarks, but are living symbols of how two worlds can coexist without erasing each other,” he said.
Benoit lamented the encroachment of urbanisation but found solace in the enduring belief systems that anchor their community.
Grand Frere, a member of the Catholic Church said, the two faiths, that is the Python Temple and the Catholic Church, standing side by side, reminded him of the power of harmony in a world often divided.
From: Geoffrey Buta, OUIDAH, BENIN
News
NSA Boss commends President Mahama for swift payment of NSP allowances
The Acting Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Felix Gyamfi, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his swift intervention in clearing all outstanding allowances owed to National Service Personnel (NSP) across the country.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NSA Headquarters in Accra today, Mr. Gyamfi expressed gratitude to the President for ensuring that all service personnel received their stipends within just 15 days of his administration.
“I want to sincerely commend His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for his dedication to the welfare of Ghana’s youth. The speed and efficiency with which he addressed the payment of outstanding allowances in just two weeks is highly commendable,” he stated.
Assurance
He assured personnel that delays in allowance payments would now be a thing of the past, as the government, under President Mahama’s leadership, has prioritised timely disbursement.
Mr. Gyamfi revealed that all outstanding allowances for National Service Personnel from September 2024 to January 2025 have been fully settled.
He provided a detailed breakdown of the payments made:
September 2024 (Backlog): 10,712 personnel paid
October 2024 (Backlog): 10,712 personnel paid
November 2024: 98,145 personnel paid
December 2024: 98,145 personnel paid
January 2025: 98,145 personnel paid
He acknowledged the immense contributions of service personnel to Ghana’s socio-economic development, particularly in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and local governance.
“We recognise the vital role that National Service personnel play in driving national development. That is why this government has made it a priority to ensure they receive their allowances on time,” he said.
Appreciation
The NSA boss also extended his appreciation to the Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, and the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare-Addo, for their roles in facilitating the prompt payment of the allowances.
In a bid to enhance efficiency and prevent future payment delays, Mr. Gyamfi announced plans to integrate a biometric-driven payroll system into the NSA’s operations.
The new system, according to him, will provide real-time insights into validated payments, allow personnel to access electronic payslips, and introduce a transparent mechanism for addressing payment discrepancies.
He urged all personnel to adhere strictly to the monthly evaluation calendar to ensure smooth processing of allowances. Mr. Gyamfi announced that the NSA had released PIN codes for 16,289 trained teachers from 36 colleges of education to commence their national service registration.
Expired accreditation
However, he noted that 22 institutions had expired accreditation with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), affecting 9,769 graduates. “To maintain compliance and service credibility, registrations from these institutions will be put on hold until their accreditation status is regularised,” he said, urging affected institutions to renew their accreditation by August 31, 2025.
The NSA boss also revealed plans to revamp the Authority’s farm projects under President Mahama’s “Feed Ghana” agenda. The initiative will focus on increasing productivity in animal husbandry, aquaculture, poultry, and crop production while partnering with schools to revive school farms.
Mr. Gyamfi announced that the NSA Restaurant would now operate 24/7 as part of efforts to support President Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy. The restaurant will introduce delivery services, drive-through options, catering for events, and live band music on Friday nights.
Ghost names
Addressing the issue of ghost names and those allegedly responsible, the Director-General emphasised that the matter was under thorough investigation. He stressed his commitment to upholding due process and ensuring that nothing compromises the integrity of the inquiry.
“If you judge me by my demeanour, you might think I would hesitate to take action against those found culpable. But let me assure you that once the state investigative machinery completes its work, anyone implicated will face the full force of the law. There will be no exemptions, no leniency,” he cautioned.
He reiterated the NSA’s commitment to financial transparency, revealing that all user agencies had been directed to use the Ghana.Gov platform for payments to the Authority.
The measure, he explained, would ensure accountability and prevent fraudulent activities.
The Acting Director-General reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the NSA, ensuring that national service becomes more impactful.
“The NSA is at a turning point, and my leadership is committed to prioritising and promoting initiatives that matter to personnel, staff, stakeholders, and the nation. With strategic planning, efficient deployment, agricultural innovation, and financial transparency, we will transform the NSA into a world-class institution,” he promised.
News
GEXIM Management Discusses Collaboration With Danish Ambassador
A team from the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah, on Wednesday February 12, 2025 met officials of the Danish Embassy in Ghana, led by the Head of Mission, His Excellency Tom Nørring at the embassy in Accra.
The meeting afforded the management of the Bank the opportunity to provide a deeper insight into the operations and mandate of the Bank as well as explore possible areas of mutual interest for collaboration with the embassy and other key Danish public and private sector players.
Sylvester Mensah highlighted the vision of the Bank to become a strong financial institution that will be a key engine in the development of Ghana’s export trade, facilitate cross border trade and make Ghana a pillar in regional and continental trade.
He added that the Bank is seeking to advance the policy priorities of the government in the areas of accelerated export trade, increased food production, support agribusiness and to generate growth in job opportunities.
He further emphasized a priority focus on the garment sub-sector for mass employment at a relatively short time as an area for partnership, collaboration and funding for onward lending.
On his part, His Excellency Nørring expressed his appreciation to the Chief Executive and his team for the opportunity to explore avenues of working with the embassy as well as Danish institutions for the benefit of Ghanaian and Danish businesses.
He expressed his optimism of a great collaboration across various sectors. Some “next steps” were agreed upon for immediate follow-up.
Other members of the GEXIM team were Mr. Moses Klu Mensah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, responsible for Banking and Business Operations and Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney, Manager, International Cooperation.
