Ghana is a prime location for African missionary work and evangelization. It is a peaceful, democratic country, with personal freedom and hospitable people. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is very strong in Ghana, and ICPE often partners with various groups for ministry and uses their National Formation center for activities.
ICPE Ghana’s focus is evangelization, social work, and counseling. Evangelization is aimed at the youth in particular through parish outreach, social work takes place through humanitarian aid under HopeXchange, and counseling is almost continually held through ministries and personal staff appointments. ICPE Mission Ghana, along with various “Partners in Mission” volunteers, minister through:
Cinema Evangelization – In collaboration with local churches, staff will go into Kumasi and neighboring villages to share the Gospel message through showing inspirational, Catholic movies in public places. After the showing, a pertinent teaching on the faith is discussed and opportunity is created for people to accept Christ.
Leadership Formation – With the Department of Education and the National Catholic Secretariat, ICPE periodically organizes leadership formation programs tailored to specific groups such as The Association of Catholic Teacher Trainees.
Retreats – retreats are held for Catholic professionals during the times of Lent, pre-Pentecost, and Advent. At the beginning of 2010, ICPE began a Retreat For Families ministry.
Youth Encounter – Week-long youth vacation camps held for the past seven years. Focus is on directing youth towards a relationship with God, addressing pressing challenges, and helping the youth in their career development.
Parish Outreach – ICPE travels to especially rural parishes to proclaim the Good News through topical teachings, retreats, Life in the Spirit Seminars, and home visitation. Through this, they also address socio-economic needs of the community.
School Outreach – a periodic reach-out to senior high schools to share the Good News. Activities include topical teachings, retreats, counseling, and prayer ministry.
HopeXchange Ghana – plans to host a patient evangelization and prayer support group as soon as Medical Center doors open. Other activities include:
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign – The Ghana Breast Cancer Alliance (GBCA) is a unique coalition of leading local and international experts and institutions seeking to address the major breast health needs in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.
Mission: Possible – Voluntary teachers and other professionals are sent to rural communities to teach in schools or organize free vacation classes for pupils and educate the community on issues ranging from HIV/AIDS and human trafficking to diverse social interest issues.
Mini Clinic – HopeXchange Ghana and volunteer partners, nurses, and medical students pair with local doctors to conduct mini clinics in needy communities. They use school classrooms as consultation rooms, with informational lectures often taking place outside under trees or in nearby parishes. Volunteers assist the local people and especially pre-teen Ghanaian children, conducting free health education and medical screening through blood work tests and various clinical functions. They make prescriptions available and direct those who need further attention to nearby hospitals.
Long Distance Adoption – through this initiative, foreigners “adopt” a child. They pay insurance, school fees, and some support for the upkeep of a Ghanaian child living in abject poverty. Children who have been adopted are successfully and happily attending school.
ICPE Ghana would love to host volunteers coming to both create new ministries and to assist with current outreaches. A youth program is needed along with a renewal of the cinema evangelization, and certainly medical doctors, other health workers, and equipment are always desired and welcomed. There is unlimited opportunity for prospective missionaries. Whatever the focus, “I think the opportunity for ministry in Ghana is very high”, says Dominic.
For updates, visit www.icpe.org and www.hopexchangemedicalcenter.org
