“Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
As we reflect on our journey together and look forward to the future, we are reminded that it is our unwavering faith that guides and sustains us. Through faith, we have achieved remarkable milestones, touched countless lives, and laid the groundwork for continued growth and impact.
We are blessed by the remarkable leadership that has guided GRID & NEA over the past four decades.
In this update, we honour the invaluable contributions of our GRID Chairman, Jacques Lapointe and our Treasurer, Paul Lapointe, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in guiding our mission.
Jacques first joined GRID’s leadership team as Secretary, then Treasurer, and finally served as Chairman of the Board for 15 years. During his tenure, Jacques also took on the daunting task of leading the Leyaata Hospital Fundraising Campaign, guiding this remarkable project to its successful completion and opening.
We are grateful for all the time, thought and effort he has invested in advancing GRID & NEA’s mission of addressing poverty in Christ’s name in Northern Ghana. So much of what he has done was unseen yet so vital to the smooth running of the organization and in compliance with ever-changing Canadian Government regulations for charities.
We also extend our sincere thanks to his wife Brigitte, who served alongside Jacques on the GRID board throughout these years. The children of Carpenter would certainly want us to especially commend you for the bountiful supply of candies they received from your hands.
We will treasure the memories of Jacques and Brigitte’s visits to Ghana on several occasions, particularly in arriving early to help prepare for the arrival of many medical teams and then working as key members of the ‘eye team’ on these missions. That alone is a badge of honour since the eye teams were always in the hottest clinical locations with blackened out windows and little/no airflow!
Jacques and Briggite Lapointe during their visit at Asampu Primary School's commissioning in 2005.
We equally extend our sincere thanks to Paul Lapointe for the many years he served as both Treasurer and bookkeeper for GRID. Audits were always smooth under his leadership. During his tenure, he introduced several new programs to make the work more efficient and was always GRID’s go-to expert for any IT issues. Administrative work is often overlooked and underappreciated, but we are very grateful for the countless hours Paul has invested into ensuring that GRID’s books, systems, and financial reporting were flawless.
PAUL LAPOINTE
Jacques, Brigitte, and Paul, you have given generously of your time, your talents and your treasure through your faithful service and hundreds of thousands of lives have been and will continue to be, impacted for good as a result. Your efforts have laid a strong foundation for us to build upon. As you pass the baton, we honour your legacy. May God bless you abundantly in the days ahead.
GRID, NEA, and those whose lives you have touched.
“GRID and NEA together have done and continue to do great work in northern Ghana in addressing the many facets of poverty in a sustainable manner. To have been deeply involved in this work for several decades has been a real privilege. We have seen the work grow in both capacity and capability from the early years of digging wells by hand through to establishing multiple schools and churches and poverty alleviating projects to the more recent building of a new hospital complex like none other in rural Ghana. People’s commitment and the Lord’s guidance and favour are visible wherever you look on both sides of the ocean. Yet, there is so much left to do. GRID and NEA are directly involved in 160 communities with a population of 200,000 in their current catchment. Some of the villages in the outlying areas are still waiting for clean water, let alone other necessities of life. With this in mind and with other major projects, like the hospital, having been completed, the timing seemed right for GRID to transition to fresh leadership that will provide new energy for the next phase of the work.
As we move to the sidelines in our later years, our interest in the success of what comes next will surely be there. My thanks to our board for giving me the privilege of leadership. It has been a team effort. Thanks also to David and Brenda Mensah for their vision and ongoing commitment to this extraordinary endeavour that they started forty years ago. And to our GRID partners who have a great part in making all of this a reality, please continue to look favourably on this work. Our prayers go to all those who continue after us.” – JACQUES LAPOINTE
STRENGTHENING OUR MISSION
Our ongoing programs and projects stand as a testament to the impact of our mission. Each initiative is designed to uplift and empower people and communities, fostering sustainable development and hope for the future.
In February, 105 members of the Northern Christian Chief’s Association (NCCA) gathered joyfully in Carpenter. Despite having over 250 members, accommodation was limited as two NEA dormitories are currently occupied by hospital staff awaiting the completion of the new staff quarters. The organization’s growth was evident, with several new chiefs attending after older members graciously yielded their spots. These chiefs continue to be beacons of peace and stability, especially along Ghana’s northern border. Among the conference topics was the formation of a group for Christian Queen Mothers (this is a hereditary leadership role in most communities) who are Christians to also be joined together as a group for mutual encouragement and training. As we plan for the future, we look forward to seeing the NCCA grow in numbers and impact.
In March, we shared the urgent need to raise funds to cover the shortfall necessary for Leyaata Hospital to achieve self-sustainability by the end of 2025. We are truly in awe of your remarkable response. Thanks to your very generous contributions, we have successfully raised the funds needed. Leyaata Hospital, a beacon of hope and healing, will continue providing compassionate and excellent care and essential medical services.
Church continues to flourish, with new church buildings being built, congregations established, scholarships provided to students pursuing Bible College and pastors equipped with motorbikes to serve their congregations.
Pastors gratefully receive their motorbikes, which will help them easily visit the communities they serve and attend meetings, prayer sessions, and trainings at the NEA site.
Last April, Dr. David Mensah joyfully announced to the Janga community that a new dormitory would be constructed for their girls. This news was met with overwhelming excitement, especially from the girls, who eagerly anticipate the safe and supportive environment it will provide for their education.
Janga girls are full of smiles as they receive great news from Dr. David Mensah.
On July 30, 2024, Leyaata Hospital successfully performed its first fistula surgery. The patient, a 52-year-old woman who had undergone a surgery to remove her womb at another hospital a year prior, began experiencing urinary leakage. Upon her arrival at Leyaata Hospital, a thorough examination led to her being scheduled for surgery. The operation, which lasted three and a half hours, revealed that her ureter had been accidentally sutured to a part of her vagina, causing the fistula. Dr. Ben and his team successfully corrected the issue. The patient expressed deep gratitude for the care, encouragement, and prayers she received from the Leyaata Hospital team.
Dr. Ben and Surgical Team
Dr. Ben celebrates the successful fistula operation with the patient and her husband.
AMANDA OFOLIORKOR ARYEE
“I bring you warm greetings from Carpenter. My name is Amanda Ofoliorkor Aryee and I am the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leyaata Hospital. I thank God for the opportunity to serve as the CEO and I look forward to sharing some miracles and rescues that take place in Leyaata Hospital with the GRID partners. Every life counts, and everyone deserves the best quality of care irrespective of cost and location. Leyaata Hospital has been and continues to be a safe haven for thousands of people in and around the Savannah region of Ghana. We pray for strength to continue to work diligently as unto God, to bring smiles on the faces of our patients and joy in their hearts. As we forge ahead into the future, we imbibe the wisdom, embrace the guidance and navigate the paths of our founders into a brighter Leyaata. Indeed, our God rescues, and we look forward to more rescues in years to come.”
Access to clean water is essential, and our current initiative involves installing a new well in Carpenter. Given the community’s growth, an additional well has become necessary. We are deeply grateful to a generous donor whose support has made this project possible.
Babanayaa: Someday they will see that we have changed!
The Babanayaa Women’s Project is entering its final year. Recently, a crucial meeting convened with key stakeholders including women cooperative leaders, scholarship recipients, chiefs, opinion leaders, as well as officials from Regional and District Directorates of Cooperatives, Agriculture Directors, and the NEA leadership team. Discussions centred on lessons learned from the project, its impact on communities and individuals, and considerations for retaining successful elements while integrating new components for Phase 2. These insights are being carefully reviewed, hoping to submit a compelling proposal that extends benefits to more communities in the years ahead.
The Babanayaa Project team delivered a presentation providing an overview of the project from its inception to the present. Participants were impressed by the project’s achievements over the past few years, including:
1,000 direct female beneficiaries
60 female scholarship recipients
1,500 goats provided to 30 cooperatives
40 cooperatives established
80 motorbikes distributed
40 peanut shellers distributed
The Babanayaa Project staff and stakeholders met to strategize for the project's long-term sustainability.
New co-op members receive training from an extension officer.
Each of these projects and programs is a step forward in our journey together of transforming people and transforming communities.
VISION FOR GROWTH
Looking to the future, we are filled with hope and determination to continue building on our successes. As we embark on this new chapter, we are excited to welcome David Butcher as our incoming Chairman and Tim Bayless as our interim Treasurer.
TIM BAYLESS
Tim and his wife, Kathy, have been deeply committed partners of GRID and NEA since 1987. Their dedication to the mission led them both to travel to Ghana, where they witnessed firsthand the impact of the work they have been championing for decades. Tim has been a pivotal member of GRID’s board since 2009. In addition to his work with GRID, he has held significant roles in church leadership, including serving as a Board of Elders member and Treasurer at Christ Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Tim and Kathy’s commitment to both GRID and their church community reflects their deep faith and desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, both locally and globally.
DAVID BUTCHER
David Butcher is a retired development professional with a heart for missions, who has held senior fundraising positions with Crossroads, Teen Challenge, and Shepherd Village among others. David provided consulting help to GRID in that capacity for several years and has been instrumental in connecting GRID to a number of organizations in the charitable world who have become friends and supporters of GRID.
Alongside his wife, Wende, David has actively contributed to various Christian ministries. They served as Executive Directors of Heart to Heart Marriage & Family Ministries for a number of years.
David and Wende have a sincere appreciation for all GRID & NEA has accomplished over the years and are dedicated to supporting its mission in any way they can.
“I have had the privilege over the past few years to be one of the GRID-NEA Board of Directors. I have watched as God has performed miracle after miracle in support of the new Leeyata Hospital that is serving over 200,000 people in 160 communities. His hand has been on this ministry devoted to serving the underprivileged people living in the Savannah region of Ghana from the beginning 40 years ago. The vision He has given us to continue this vital mission is beyond amazing and can only be done with the help of you, our faithful partners. I am honoured to transition into Interim Chair as we follow His leading.” – DAVID BUTCHER
As we look ahead, our focus remains on continuous improvement and development. Guided by our mission, we are committed to making a lasting impact and transforming lives. Together, we will achieve new milestones, driven by faith, and motivated by Christ’s love.
As Isaiah 40:31 encourages us: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support and faith in our mission enable us to continue this impactful work!
TRIBUTE
ELLA PORTER
We express our deepest gratitude as we honour Ella Porter, who was called home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2024.
Ella’s legacy is a testament to her remarkable spirit and unwavering dedication. It was Ella who first reached out to Dr. David Mensah, inviting him to speak at the Women’s World Day of Prayer at Coldbrook Baptist Church, Nova Scotia, an event that became a pivotal moment for the Mensah Food and Orphanage Fund—a name she personally created to honour her vision, which was later renamed GRID.
Her foresight didn’t stop there. Ella’s initiative extended to coordinating with the local paper to raise awareness and mobilize contributions through local churches, all to support the crucial first shipment of food to Ghana.
Her efforts laid the groundwork for an ongoing impact that continues to benefit countless lives. Ella’s contributions have fostered a lasting connection between our community and the people of Ghana, ensuring that her legacy of compassion and action endures through all that has and continues to unfold in Ghana.
Ruth Adams says
I have just read the latest GRID report, and was moved to tears; tears of joy for being a small part of this incredible ministry over many years. It is the most comprehensive one I can remember ever receiving.
What an encouragement to read about the various advances which have been made; I feel privileged to have been a partner all these years.
May God bless each one of you as you continue this meaningful and important ministry.
With Love,
Ruth Adams