Unprecedented Chiefs’ Conference

2010/02/21 By Leave a Comment
Chief of Jugboi

Chiefs in Northern Ghana are vital community leaders.

From February 25 to March 1st, more than 140 Christian chiefs from across Northern Ghana will meet at NEA’s project centre in Carpenter for a conference. This is the first conference of its kind in Ghana, and one that we’re excited about.

Christian chiefs in Northern Ghana face many challenges. Their position as chiefs would normally link them closely to the traditional religious practices of their communities.  Their choice to follow Christ is a radical decision that impacts how they function as chiefs.

Christian chiefs also face serious pressure from those who resent their chosen faith. Some chiefs have been offered money, gifts, and expensive holidays if they would convert from Christianity.

It’s an isolating, lonely position for many chiefs.

It’s understandable, then, that these chiefs are excited to meet together. Over 140 of them have confirmed that they will be attending the conference in Carpenter this week, where they will participate in several days of teaching, worship, and sharing together.

Please pray for this unique event: for safety as everyone travels to Carpenter, for strength for those preparing for this conference, and for the participants’ spiritual encouragement.

Filed Under: Church Growth, Sustainable Development Tagged With: ,

Uncovering Yaws in Northern Ghana

2009/12/09 By Leave a Comment

In November 2009, members of the visiting medical team encountered unusual skin ulcers in many children from remote villages in the Deg area. They became suspicious that Yaws might be the cause of these painful sores, even though the disease was considered to be eradicated in Ghana.

Yaws is an infectious tropical disease that affects skin, bone, and cartilage. Its primary victims are children under 15 and it can lead to chronic disability.

Consulting with local health care workers, the medical team determined that what they were seeing was indeed Yaws.  Their Ghanaian colleagues hadn’t seen any cases of Yaws for over 20 years, and the discovery caused real concern that this contagious infection might be returning.  Team members began treating patients for this condition.

The medical team members also carefully documented 81 cases of suspected Yaws, which David and Brenda Mensah then submitted to the Regional Director of Health Services.  In a meeting with the Director, the Mensahs learned that health officials are concerned about a resurgence of Yaws in the country.

Although treatment is a relatively straightforward and cost-effective injection of Penicillin, it can be difficult for Ministry of Health personnel to locate patients afflicted with Yaws in order to give them the necessary treatment.

The Ministry of Health is thankful for the contribution that NEA and the medical team have made by sharing important information about the incidence of Yaws in the Deg region.  They also expressed deep appreciation for the team’s treatment of afflicted patients in the Deg Region.

Filed Under: Health, Sustainable Development Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Enemies reconciled

2009/10/19 By Leave a Comment

In the early 1990s, tensions between the Mo tribe and the Nkoranza tribe erupted into violent conflict. Women from both tribes fled their homes with their children while their husbands, brothers, and fathers fought. Many died during the war.

The violence eventually ceased, but strained relations between the two neighbouring tribes continued.

In early 2009, David Mensah – NEA’s Director and a newly-elected Mo chief – was praying about the situation.  He wanted to see the tribes reunited and working together for the betterment of their communities.

While David was discussing the situation with his wife, wondering how he might approach the Nkoranza chief in dialogue, he received a phone call. A representative of the Nkoranza chief contacted him with a request to dialogue!

Soon thereafter, David and a delegation of other Mo leaders met with the Nkronza delegation. As they went out to their meetings, the women were crying with joy that the tensions that had burdened them for so many years were being lifted.

Both tribes agreed to live in peace as friends. Furthermore, they developed an inspiring plan to protect all of the forests in their jurisdiction from charcoal harvesting. With the support of leaders from the two tribes, this will be an effective and crucial step in protecting Northern Ghana’s resources for the communities who need them.

The Mo and Nkoranza tribes are peacefully reunited.

The Mo and Nkoranza tribes are peacefully reunited.

Filed Under: Peace Building, Sustainable Development Tagged With: , , ,