GRID and NEA

Sustainable Development in Ghana

GRID

GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (JULY 2023)

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OUR IMPACT: STATS & STORIES

Earlier in June, the GRID board and leadership team met for the annual general meeting. We looked back at the many great things WE (you and us) have accomplished together to carry forward our mission of meeting the basic needs in the communities we serve in a sustainable and integrated manner, motivated by Christ’s love.

The stats and stories you will read here speak of the great impact of transforming lives and communities we are blessed to partner with together.

Since the opening of the doors of Leyaata Hospital, the numbers of patients and visitors increase daily as the staff serve and provide quality healthcare for the people in the Carpenter area and far beyond. There have been several emergency obstetrical cases that have come where the patients had very little time on their side, but they survived. It’s with great excitement we share some stories and statistics of lives rescued.

BLOOD BANK

Keeping the blood bank stocked is vital. NEA staff were the first donors, the Ghana Health Partners added to this and recently, a blood donation clinic was set up at a nearby secondary school to fill the fridge. The hospital is liaising with other hospitals within a three hour radius to set up a loan and exchange system so that blood does not expire and so that all types are available. Recently, a woman was referred to the hospital with life-threatening post-delivery complications. She depleted the hospital’s stock of her blood type and three staff quickly donated blood to save her life.

Dr. Anne, the first GHP donor. Her blood never made it into the blood bank; it went straight to a patient’s arm.

As can be seen by the numbers below, the Leyaata Hospital is already impacting thousands – one patient at a time!

CHURCH GROWTH

Dr. David Mensah had a great zoom call with the ECAC leadership team last week. They were pleased to report that a new congregation has been established in Wasipe. The youth are excited and busy preparing for their annual youth conference in August.

The leadership has met with the new Bible School graduates and have decided on the communities where they will go to begin their ministry.

Pastor Janet Nyaahbolsom, one of the new graduates, was awarded the SRC Welfare Minister citation for her exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and development of the Ghana Baptist University College.

They also reported on the great progress of the construction of the three church buildings. One is completed and two are under construction.

Each pastor nurtures at least two congregations. Please pray for the pastors’ safety as they move about on their motorbikes from congregation to congregation.

ECAC leadership team on a zoom call with Dr. Mensah at the Carpenter Church.
Weila Church Building

The Babanayaa Project seeks to empower rural women through livelihood empowerment interventions such as peanut farming, animal husbandry and educational sponsorship for girls. Prior to the project, many young girls did not aspire to be in school due to the cultural norms which accorded males much higher educational opportunities to be in school at the expense of their female counterparts. The few girls who wanted to be in school could not afford it.

The introduction of the female education program opened doors for several girls, including Faustina. Her dad passed away when she was in her final year of high school. A year later she completed high school with distinction, but her single mom could not afford to enroll her for post-secondary education. Thankfully, she heard of the Babanayaa sponsorship program. She applied and was awarded a scholarship. A door has opened for Faustina to become a nurse.

Twenty-two young women have already benefitted from the scholarship program and 38 more have been approved for scholarships this year. This is possible because the cost of scholarships for the 60 girls is still within the budgeted amount of our original proposal for 30 girls. We are grateful to you, our faithful sponsors, and to the Government of Canada for their funding support.

FAUSTINA NADOWLINAA

As the number of people and communities we serve grows annually, we also thank God for the new GRID leadership team members joining our board this year.

DR. CHARLES & SANDRA PENISTON

Dr. Charles & Sandra have been part of the Ghana Health Team/Ghana Health Partners since 2009. As a highly regarded cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Charles plays a vital role in rescuing thousands of lives. Sandra is an Assistant Professor at York University’s Faculty of Health – School of Nursing and actively mentors our Leyaata Hospital nursing team.

CHERYL WEBER

Cheryl has been in broadcasting for over 20 years and currently co-hosts 100 Huntley Street, where she interviewed Dr. David Mensah in 2013. Cheryl is a public speaker, versatile national and international reporter and producer. She is also the Director of Crossroads Cares Relief and Development.

LYNNITA WEBER

Lynnita was GRID’s Senior Program Manager from 2009 – 2019. She was very instrumental in the success of the Leyaata & Leyaata Ane Projects. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership. She is also the Executive Pastor of St. Paul’s Leaksdale Church, one of our committed church partners.

Your steadfast support, partnership and generosity make it possible to extend our outreach efforts to care for the most vulnerable through (i) sustainable peanut and goat farming, (ii) building community fishponds and gardens (iii) providing scholarships (iv) keeping people healthy through the Leyaata Hospital (v) providing access to clean water and (vi) equipping local church leaders to serve their congregations and stand in their faith. Together, we will continue to serve those in great need!

We look forward to sharing more stories and increased stats of lives transformed this year.

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LEYAATA HOSPITAL

There was much going on prior to the hospital commissioning: paving, landscaping and cleaning; installing windows, doors, tiles, lights, and signs; submitting paperwork for medical and government authorities; establishing policies and planning for consumables, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and staff.

Following the commissioning on August 21, 2022, over 300 people made their way to Carpenter to be interviewed for the 100-start up positions available. By December, equipment was in place, staff had moved in and received orientation, pharmaceuticals arrived, shelves were stocked, and a few patients trickled in, even though it had not yet been announced that the Leyaata Hospital was ready to receive them.

Many had dreamed of this hospital for over 50 years and many more, since the day eight years ago when it was decided to begin the process. A huge thanks to you, our faithful partners, for making this dream a reality! Your prayers, financial support, and encouragement gave us the courage to push through amid challenges and setbacks.

“We needed to know that the hospital was truly going to make a difference. I am sure you will all agree that this is going to have an amazing impact for many people and many communities around this part of Ghana.”

CINDY LAMBIER
The Jim Pattison Foundation Director

” The partnership between health professionals from around the world and the NEA & Leyaata Hospital community is unique. Built upon decades of friendship and common vision, we continue to strive toward the essential goal of health for all.”

Dr. Jennifer Wilson & Dr. Rob Hicks

DR. JENNIFER WILSON, Lead Physician, Ghana Health Partners
DR. ROB HICKS, Lead Surgeon, Hernia International Carpenter

Wi Songla Project Volunteers Training
Wo-Songla-Project-list-1

BABANAYAA PROJECT

2,139 bags of peanuts were harvested by the 500 Babanayaa women farmers. They saved GHS 29,780 and generated an additional income of GHS 45,415 from the use of their motorking.

Since the inception of the project, a total of 22 females received scholarships. Aside from receiving assistance with their school fees, they were also provided mentorship with our Adolescent and Gender Officers.

In December, 250 co-op members were trained on Reproductive Health, Safe Food Preparation, Gender and Human Rights. Many of the participants showed interest in knowing more about cervical cancer. Some of them booked appointments to meet the midwife after the training.

Our partnership with the Government of Canada, which first provided assistance in 1987 to support women’s cooperative farming, makes it possible to reach more communities and help girls and women improve their well-being through projects like this.

” The training has provided a lot of knowledge for the participants concerning their sexual and reproductive health and empowered them with their decision making. It has also given them insight into the care of their adolescents.”

MILLECENT DAPAAH
Midwife Specialist & Facilitator

“I’m happy that my nurses and midwife here in Wakawaka will not have to carry containers to look around for water to attend to patients. Also, the VIP and water system will further promote hygiene and prevent disease outbreaks.

HAIJA FUSEINA SULEMANA
Bole-Bamboi District Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PARTNERS FOR GOOD

YESTERDAY, TODAY, & TOMORROW

For we are partners working together for God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Reflecting on 2022, I and the members and partners of GRID & NEA, truly stand in awe and thanksgiving to God for all He has accomplished in and through us. The commissioning of the Leyaata Hospital exemplifies our theme “partners for good – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” It was amazing to see so many of our special partners in Carpenter all at the same time.

  • Pastor Rob Whitaker from CCC, Bloomington IN, the first US church to support NEA
  • Pastor Dale Dawson and his wife from Uxbridge Baptist Church, which have stood faithfully behind the work for decades
  • the courageous GRID board, who voted ‘yea’ to move forward with this enormous task, special mention to Jacques Lapointe, GRID Chairman, who took on the additional role of chairing the hospital fundraising
  • the NEA board who never gave up on this 50 year dream
  • the NEA staff who worked to ensure the events of the day went smoothly
  • the chiefs and elders of the land, who gave support in many ways
  • local communities who came in their numbers to clean and help prepare ‘their’ hospital site and buildings
  • The Jim Pattison Foundation
  • The Makbraneth Foundation, which has partnered with GRID & NEA for over 20 years
  • special guests who gave so generously to make this hospital a reality
  • Tim Beacon of Medical Aid International, who gathered, procured, and shipped all the state-of-the-art hospital equipment
  • The Ghana Government officials, especially the Ministry of Health, for their support
  • The Leyaata Hospital board, for their guidance
  • The ECAC board and pastors, for their prayers
  • The Ghana Health Partners, represented by Dr. Wilson and Dr. Hicks, who announced they are ready for the next stage of partnership through the transfer of their skills and the establishment of a training centre

The hospital took centre stage of course; however through the support of other partners of GRID & NEA, we have new churches in several communities, much-needed water and sanitation facilities in Wakawaka, a dormitory which will help in facilitating training programs, and new housing for one of the local pastors. In addition, several partners have provided scholarships for 60 students this year. Special thanks to Westney Heights Baptist Church for the sponsorship of pastors-in-training and the Joan Maguire Nursing Scholarship Fund.

2022 was an exciting year but I must add that 2023 is already yielding wonderful results.

Lives are being saved and changed – for good.

Our partnership with God and with each other has, is, and I trust will in future, feed the hungry, give clean water to the thirsty, heal the sick, release many from poverty, and faithfully bring the Good News of God’s love to many in our ever-expanding field of work.

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https://grid-nea.org/2023/03/2022impactreport/

GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (NOVEMBER 2022)

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OPENING DOORS

As we celebrate Christmas and remember that one silent and holy night, let’s pause at that particular moment – when the innkeeper opened the door for Joseph and Mary. He had no rooms left, so he offered all he had – the stable. The innkeeper thought, “Would they accept it?” It wasn’t the best accommodation. To his surprise, they accepted it and what further surprised him was the extent of their gratitude. They thanked God for providing them with a place to stay. None of his guests had ever thanked God for him.

We thank God for you for widely opening your doors to our dear friends in Ghana.

You opened the door to sharing the Gospel message and meeting the needs for church growth!

Carpenter, Teselima and Nkwanta congregations are now joyfully worshipping and praying together in their newly built church buildings. Most importantly, they are being cared for, served and led by their pastors, many of whom have received assistance with their biblical studies from one of our faithful Canadian church partners.

Teselima congregation members in front of their newly built church building.

Doors have opened for the ECAC (Evangelical Christ Apostolic Church) youth to be actively involved in sharing the Gospel message and in serving their congregations. Last month, over 200 youths gathered to reflect on the spiritual well-being of the ECAC youth and church growth and learn how they can become ambassadors for peace in their communities and about the health and well-being of the youth.

The youth, working with the pastors, took part in outreach programs in three of the four communities where new congregations were established this year. They even had their own fundraising service to raise enough funds to fill the bus with fuel to attend the programs in these three church communities. There were forty people who committed their lives to Christ. Three pastors have stepped up to care for and serve these new church communities in addition to the congregations they are leading and stewarding. They are very excited about nurturing these new congregations.

Four health experts (a dentist, lab technician, physician assistant and pharmacy technician) from within the ECAC church and who had been previously sponsored by NEA with scholarships were brought to discuss a wide range of health issues with the youth. The health professionals felt this was a way to give back to the church for what they had received from the church and NEA.

ECAC Youth Conference
Youth group that did the outreach in two of the new church communities.

You opened the door for women and girls to improve their well-being!

Rahinatu Yakubu – one of our Babanayaa star farmers who harvested eleven bags of peanuts. 
This project (Babanayaa Project) has been a relief for my children and me. As a widow, things were tough for me. I had no one to depend on. But from this year’s harvest, I’ve been able to sell three bags of my peanuts. It will help provide for the educational needs of my son, who is currently in Senior High School. In the past, I would roam around looking for financial assistance from relatives, which they would not be able to provide. Now I’m glad I can do things on my own without depending on others.

-RAHINATU YAKUBU-

Lepar Solomon Faustina is a final-year student of Sunyani Technical University, studying Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management. She is the daughter of one of the co-op women farmers. Faustina gained admission before the Babanayaa Project started, and her mom, a widow, had to borrow money from friends to pay for her admission fees. This debt affected Faustina in her studies as she used to think about how her mom would settle the debt and pay her yearly school fees. Thankfully, when the project commenced, she was the first scholar to be sponsored.

Na-Eutey Lonpaami – Faustina’s mother and Babanayaa co-op member.

You opened the door for improved health care in Carpenter and neighbouring communities!

Leyaata Hospital Senior Management Team – getting ready to open the doors to its first patients.
From left to right – Amanda Aryee, Head of Pharmacy Department; Abraham Sayibu, Hospital Administrator; Dr. David Mensah, GRID & NEA Executive Director; Isaac Ngula, Chief Financial Officer; and Dr. Ben Asubiojo, Medical Director.

WHICH DOOR WILL YOU OPEN?

As more congregations are established, the need to serve and lead these congregations increases. More Bible College scholarships, pastors’ training and church-building projects are planned each year as we continue to reach more communities to share the Gospel message.

With faithful commitment from a UK foundation partner, wells and KVIPs (twin-pit ventilated improved latrines) were constructed this year. More communities still need assistance in accessing clean water and proper sanitation.

Providing assistance to farmers, building community fishponds and gardens, and training community leaders are continuous needs we are addressing for the communities within our catchment area.

The Leyaata Hospital will open its doors to its first patients in a couple of weeks. As we have shared in our September Impact Updates, we anticipate needing to provide extra operating funds for a few years.

Through the Babanayaa Project, thirty young women will be able to pursue secondary and tertiary education. In partnership with the Government of Canada, 86% of the funds needed are provided and our commitment is to raise the remaining 14%.

Two hundred fifty more women are registered for the Babanayaa Project. As such, we are committed to raising 14% of the funds to provide the inputs (peanut seeds, tools, training, goat) to each woman farmer.

We greatly appreciate your partnership with us in opening more doors for each of these areas of need – helping our dear friends in Ghana walk on the path of self-sufficiency.

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GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (SEPTEMBER 2022)

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STANDING TOGETHER

-FROM DREAMS TO REALITY-

This is a dream come true and it is a very happy occasion for me because I have a memory of the past. The things at this hospital provided today, when I think about it, I always want to cry. My father developed a hernia – a strangulated hernia and my father died as a result of it. My sister died when she wanted to deliver her child. This hospital is named Leyaata, in our language, meaning “Rescue Us.” If this hospital was here, perhaps my father would not have died. My sister would have been alive today. And so, I’m grateful that many people have stood with me to work for this dream to come to pass. In fact, the chiefs of this land have stood with me. Carpenter women have come and cleaned this hospital, so it will be ready today. I want to thank you all!

Dr. David Mensah

Dr. David Mensah, standing with partners from the UK and Canada, as he gives thanks in front of the 9,000+ crowd attending the Leyaata Hospital Commissioning.

MIRACLES ALONG THE WAY – – –

As NEA began to explore the possibility of registering a hospital under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), they found they first had to be a member of one of the larger Christian bodies CHAG supports. They chose and applied to become members of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) but had no connection with the leadership of this group and as most people in Ghana will tell you, you need connections in order to get certain things done.

After receiving the application, the GPCC sent a representative to Tamale to check on and learn about NEA. The officer was having dinner with his brother-in-law who lives in Tamale, and casually asked him, “Do you know anything about the Northern Empowerment Association?” His brother-in-law happened to be Ebenezer, who has been one of NEA’s building contractors for many years. He is well versed in all NEA’s initiatives. His first-hand knowledge reassured the GPCC representative, and he unreservedly recommended the organization for acceptance into the membership of GPCC which was the first step towards being able to work under the CHAG umbrella.

This was a reminder that this is God’s hospital, His plan – and that when it comes to connections, our connection with Him is of first importance.

The next logical step was a feasibility study. We needed to know what it would cost, what buildings, equipment and staff we would need, and of course, if it could sustain itself. The costliest component of this would be the buildings.

A friend of GRID & NEA who is an engineer, heard a little about this discussion and connected us with Engineering Ministries International (eMi) – a Christian non-profit group of engineers that offers its skills and services freely for projects like this. eMi agreed to help.

We shared with them the health services and specialities we had ascertained were needed and before long 17 engineers formed an eMi team which came to Carpenter to put it all on paper. They tested wind direction, they tested water, they checked the direction of the sun, counted the trees on the site and then they drew up the plans for this amazing hospital locating it in such a way as to maximize airflow and minimize the heat of the sun. They envisioned all the departments and ensured that washrooms, staff rooms, storage rooms and more were included. They planned for efficient patient flow. They also provided the costing for such a facility, at the building rates per square foot at the time.

We can’t even imagine what this would have cost if we had to pay the going rate to bring in these skilled engineers and to produce the plans, but it was their gift to GRID, NEA and the people it will serve.

The 17 engineers from eMI who visited Carpenter and conducted the feasibility study with the NEA staff.

When we saw the estimated cost of the buildings and then added a modest budget for hospital equipment, plus a cushion for start-up costs and cash flow for three years, at which time it was envisioned the hospital would be sustainable, we truly thought this project was too big for our little organization. GRID’s logical response to this feasibility study should have been – it’s not feasible. But, in faith, believing it was God’s plan, each member of the GRID board solemnly voted “yes” to proceed.

In so many surprising ways, the storehouses of heaven were opened, the hearts of people were moved to be part of this, and miraculously USD $12,000,000 has been given to plant this hospital on the ground, equip it and to launch the operational phase.

Every gift to this project is precious – we know of one man in Canada who was blind, but musically gifted, who decided to record and sell his music, donating the proceeds to GRID. We know of single mothers who pledged support each year. Many have given (as Mother Teresa recommends) “until it hurts.”

As our theme of standing together implies, all gifts – large and small – have meant that together we have partnered with God in the fulfilment of His command to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’. That all the funds needed were supplied is yet another miracle to us, especially since so many organizations saw such a sharp decline in support during the time of Covid.

We had factored into our equation used equipment in good condition that would be donated by Canadian hospitals. Our Equipment Ambassadors from several hospitals and their team picked up, inventoried, cleaned and packed into containers all the donations that came in. Two containers of very valuable goods were shipped to Ghana.

The team of volunteers who inventoried, cleaned and packed the donated hospital equipment into the containers.

At this point we re-costed what was essential for the start-up of the hospital (subtracting from this list what we already had obtained) and found it would cost almost three times our original budget of USD $1,200,000 to purchase what was still needed. On top of that, one of the ramifications of Covid was that the donations of hospital equipment stopped.

And then another miracle!

Dr. Karen Leyden from England, who had been on several Ghana medical missions, knew of a Christian organization headquartered in her city, called Medical Aid International (MAI) that “works to improve healthcare across the developing world through supplying medical equipment, accessories, training and biomedical support that is context-appropriate, fit for purpose and tailored to the individual project.” She contacted our lead surgeon, Dr. Rob Hicks, in UK who lives in the same city, and they made the initial contact with MAI to discuss the possibility of them getting involved.

Incredibly, MAI was ready to take on the project and would be able to provide the equipment needed for the hospital –within our original budget. In the end, MAI has provided far more than we had on that start-up list through donations that had come their way. An added benefit was that Ghana and England are on the same 220V electrical system which meant that step-down transformers were not required as they would be for the Canadian 110V equipment. The hospital is now set with some of the best equipment available anywhere in the world.

Truly, another miracle!

Abraham Sayibu (Leyaata Hospital Administrator), Dr. David Mensah, and Tim Beacon (MAI CEO) standing in front the new ambulance.

In addition, unbeknownst to any of us at GRID, someone from eMi spoke with a contact in a US organization to tell them about this project. The organization contacted GRID, sent representatives to Ghana to meet with NEA and to see the hospital foundations that had already been laid. They then agreed to provide the funds for the hospital equipment MAI was organizing as well as an oxygen plant!

NEA staff unpacking and assembling the hospital equipment that MAI delivered for the opening of the Leyaata Hospital.

For construction purposes, there are two items that are crucial – sand and gravel. They can be hard to locate and often contractors must travel long distances to get them. Each truckload can be costly. To our utter amazement, the hospital is located on land that is full of high-grade gravel. Our excavator dug all the gravel needed just feet away from where the structures are built. In addition to that, Teselima, the community that is about 3 km north of Carpenter, has large deposits of high-grade building sand and donated all that was needed to build the hospital. These two items alone could have destabilized the construction budget, but there they were, literally underfoot, waiting to be used for this special purpose.

Of course, a primary need for any hospital is clean water. One of the first activities undertaken at the hospital site was to ensure that adequate underground water was available. To everyone’s great relief and joy, the wells drilled were discharging water at such a rate that the drillers recommended that we find a way of bottling it and selling it.

Drilling of water at the hospital site.

Leyaata Hospital’s water treatment building.

We hope these illustrations of just some of the miracles along the way will serve as a reminder that when we work together with God for His purposes and we show up to do our part, He shows up too in ways that surprise us and cause us to stand back in awe.

Time, Talent, Treasure
by: Dr. David Mensah

As I pondered over our theme of Standing Together, I kept thinking of the ways in which so many have given so much to bring us to this joyful moment of commissioning the model hospital that has been a dream for such a long time.

Many of you have given time.

Faithfully praying, planning, supervising, building and more. On our last contractor’s report, they recorded over 500,000 hours spent on construction. That does not include the NEA staff, many of whom have been there day and night, putting in countless more hours. It doesn’t include the delegations (sometimes numbering over 200) that showed up from nearby villages in the later stages to clean, haul dirt, weed, carry cement, or whatever was needed to get the hospital set.

Many have given of their talents.

We have mentioned the engineers with eMi. In addition, there were so many medical professionals partnering and guiding through the feasibility study to the opening. Some have used their fundraising talents to share the project with others. Some have used their communication skills to keep us all abreast of the progress. Those at MAI have used their hospital equipment knowledge to ensure that just the right tools were in hand.

Many have given of their treasure.

The Jugboi chief generously gave the land. The Teselima community gave their sand. And there were so many who gave and gave and gave again to get us to the enormous original goal of US $10,00,000 and exceeded it, making the unfeasible feasible.

It is impossible for us to convey the depth of gratitude we feel towards everyone who has been part of this journey – for each moment spent, each talent offered, and each gift given.

During the commissioning program, as I performed the traditional duty of walking around and welcoming the whole crowd of visitors, I saw so many people weeping tears of joy. They, like us, have watched too many loved ones die needlessly because they couldn’t get to or receive adequate healthcare in time.

Thanks be to God, that is no longer their fate. Healthcare has come to them and these buildings, this equipment, and the exceptional staff that has been chosen to be His tools – will be used to ensure that men, women, boys and girls receive the treatment they need. Although they cannot thank you personally, please know that each patient who will walk through the Leyaata Hospital doors would want to.

You may never see them, but your generosity will have a part in their healing for a very long time to come.

We will receive their smiles and thanks on your behalf.

JAN JAM!
THANK YOU!

Chiefs came from over half of the country to celebrate the quality healthcare that they now have access to.

Dr. Sory (Board Chair of CHAG) said that they would do all in their power to see Leyaata Hospital become a teaching hospital.

Presentation of smocks by the chiefs to Dr. Jennifer Wilson and Jacques & Brigitte Lapointe to express their gratitude.

Leyaata Hospital ribbon cutting.

Leyaata Education Centre sod turning.

PHARMACY PARTNERS
Sherry, Amanda (Leyaata Hospital Lead Pharmacist) and Linda

Dr. Josh, Dr. Martin, and Marion

GHANA HEALTH PARTNERS 2022 & LEYAATA HOSPITAL STAFF

Dr. Kyle with his son, Eli, and daughter, Victoria

Dr. Ben (fourth from the left), Leyaata Hospital Chief Physician
with the Ghana Health Partners Physicians Team

TRIBUTES

Rev. Douglas Porter

It is with profound gratitude that we pay tribute to Rev. Douglas Porter who went to be with the Lord on July 9, 2022.

Rev. Porter and his wife Ella heard a little of the dreams of the NEA founders in the early 1980s and felt that God was calling them to be part of supporting NEA’s vision to alleviate poverty and suffering in Christ’s name. To that end, a Canadian board was formed, and Rev. Porter was GRID’s first chairman, faithfully serving in this capacity for over 25 years.

In the momentous GRID board meeting, when the wish of each member was sought over whether they were in favour of proceeding with the construction of the Leyaata Hospital, Rev. Porter gave his solemn ‘yea’ and added “My wife and I want to be the first to contribute to this hospital,” and pulled out an envelope which held their gift.

Just weeks before his passing, after he received his invitation to be part of the hospital opening, he sent his regrets saying that he was sure that by now people were dancing with joy in Ghana as the day of the hospital opening drew closer. Indeed, they were. We do not have adequate space or words to convey how thankful we are for the privilege and joy it was to serve together for so many years.

Chief Kofi Benkponriakpo II

In 1996, when NEA began work in the Bole- Bamboi
District and David Mensah was looking for the best location to be the hub of their endeavours, the Jugboi chief, who is the overlord of the three communities of Jugboi, Carpenter and Teselima, (and also David’s uncle) generously gave over 500 acres of land bordering Carpenter and stretching towards Jugboi for this purpose.

It is with great sadness that we report that Chief Kofi Benkponriakpo II passed away two days before the hospital was commissioned – an event that he was so looking forward to being part of.

We gratefully acknowledge this gift of land that the hospital now stands on knowing that it will be a blessing to the people of this area and far beyond for years to come.

Barry Ralph Dohms

Barry has been a GRID board member since 2019. On August 24, 2022, he passed away peacefully with family by his side. We greatly appreciate Barry’s commitment and contribution to the work in Ghana. Our thoughts and prayers are with Barry’s wife, Annie, and his family.

Transitioning to Serving Patients
by: Jacques Lapointe

As I read the previous pages, it brings to life again the commissioning with all the tradition, colour, and ceremony of this most memorable day. It also brings to mind all that preceded it to make it possible. So many had parts to play over the years and we are appropriately thankful, but to God be the glory.

On this back page, I hope to help us make a successful transition to the most important phase and probably the one that will get the least initial publicity. In just a few weeks, once all the selected staff have moved in and trained on the best available equipment and operating systems in the country, the Leyaata Hospital will be admitting its first patients. As impressive and well planned as the commissioning itself, preparation for this day is as meticulous and even more critical.

Thus starts the “Operational Phase” of the Leyaata Hospital. This is when the training of the medical staff, the diagnostic staff, the lab staff, and the pharmacy staff, among many others, will come together in providing the healing and care that makes a hospital, a hospital. That also makes a great hospital, a great hospital. Those walkways and sections of the hospital that were on the leisurely commissioning tour will take on a new and purposeful life. From admission to diagnosis and treatment, the Leyaata Hospital will be serving its ultimate purpose, the healing and care of those in need.

There’s another aspect to the “Operational Phase” that gets no publicity but is as critical to its success. This goes on behind the scenes and is a daily balance act for the Senior Leadership Team, and especially for the hospital administrator. This is the financial aspect of operating a hospital.

In Ghana, about 65% of a typical hospital’s operating budget is funded by the government’s health ministry. This comes in various forms, but the rest must be provided by other sources of revenue. In our planning for the Leyaata Hospital, a number of these sources of revenue were identified and many are entrepreneurial ventures in Ghana that are already well on their way to living up to their promise.

In our planning, it was also expected that the hospital would be running at a deficit for up to three years. Some of the funds set aside for this were needed to complete the construction and equipping of the hospital.

We anticipate needing to provide extra operating funds for a few years, so I’m asking for extra help from those who have a special interest in the hospital. This is not meant to replace funding needed for our other ongoing aspects of our work in Northern Ghana.

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GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (JUNE 2022)

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EDUCATION: CULTIVATING PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABILITY

“This is a very special impact update. For us, we smile like proud parents as we look at the pictures of each of the staff members featured. These are past scholars who are now both skilled and committed to assisting poor communities meet their basic needs in a sustainable manner, in Christ’s name. They do their work with excellence and compassion. They are innovative, collaborative, creative and flexible. They have already accomplished so much, and as you look at their young faces, you – with us – will look forward to seeing them continue to develop and have a continued impact in the communities we serve.

And then, we smile again as we look at the young girls at the bottom of the page of this report who are in the midst of gaining the skills they need to succeed. We see the hope for a better future in their faces and are excited about the impact they too will make. Many of the students who have been assisted over the years are the first in their family or the first in their community to complete high school or university. 2022 marks a record year since the sponsorship has been extended to 42 scholars. Forty of these are in university or college. Thank you for your investment in the lives of these young women and men. Together, we celebrate their success!”

DR. DAVID & BRENDA MENSAH

GRID & NEA Executive Director & Program Coordinator

    For over three decades, we have been cultivating pathways for individuals to grow and expand their knowledge, skills and resources and transform the lives of their families and communities.

    One of the things that we have done to achieve this is to sponsor brilliant students in need in our catchment area. Some of these students have taken up jobs with NEA upon completing their studies. They are giving back to the community by serving through the different sectors and programs.

    ABRAHAM SAYIBU
    Administrator, Leyaata Hospital

    DAVID PAGASE
    Accountant

    FELIX GYINDE
    Chief Carpenter

    JUSTINE MENSAH
    Mushroom Production Specialist
    LINDA DONTIAJEME
    Hospitality Assistant

    NAOMI OLEYAA
    Accounts Clerk
    NELSOM ABRAHAM
    Aquaculture Assistant
    RACHEL NYAMEKYE
    Gender Officer

    PATIENCE DONI
    Hospitality Team Lead
    SOALE GBEADESE
    Project Manager & Fishery Sector Team Lead

    PROSPER YEAKA
    Community Liaison

    Some of these graduate scholars are very excited to be serving at the Leyaata Hospital, which will open in August.

    Dr. David Aduwia was one of the scholars sponsored by our long-time partner, The Makbraneth Foundation, to study medicine. In 2020, he gained admission to the Postgraduate Training Program at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in General Surgery. His studies are based at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

    Dr. David and Dr. Kate discussing ultrasound images of a trauma patient during the Ghana Health Team’s medical mission trip in 2018.
    Dr. David Aduwia (left) performing a hernia repair at the Battor Catholic Hospital theatre.

    He is currently doing his district rotation at Battor Catholic Hospital in the Volta Region.

    His operating room will be ready and waiting for him at the Leyaata Hospital when he completes the program in 2023. In the meantime, he is part of the hospital’s interim Executive Committee and making a contribution already to the operational planning for the hospital.

    Extending practical, hands-on training and education is part of our ongoing programs.

    We continue to equip men and women to manage and expand their skills.

    As we open the doors of the Leyaata Hospital, a delegation of Ghana Health Team leaders from Canada and the UK has been invited to attend. They will be working alongside our local Ghanaian health professionals during the final opening preparations and serving patients. Their goal is also to break ground for the Leyaata Education Centre.

    “Opportunities for ongoing continuing medical education of future health professionals in Ghana are paramount to the quality of care delivered at the Leyaata Hospital. As international partners, our goal is to help build this state-of-the-art educational centre of excellence and support the teaching, training, and capacity building within its walls for many years to come. The Leyaata Education Centre is an important stepping stone to sustainable health care in Ghana.”

    DR. JENNIFER WILSON

    MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
    Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
    Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana

      This year, in partnership with the Government of Canada, another 250 women will receive training on clearing land, planting, harvesting, drying and storing peanuts and will participate on reproductive health, safe food preparation, human rights and advocacy workshops, through the Babanayaa Project.

      Last year, two women had their farms destroyed by cattle being grazed by nomadic herdsmen and were compensated by their communities for their economic loss. It is almost unheard of in project communities for people to be compensated for these losses. It was a huge win for the project! Such a great indicator that women farmers are
      accessing the knowledge and voice they need to advocate for their rights within their communities. This is a lesson learned that will be shared with all the new women farmers.

      Through the Babanayaa Project, two girls were also given opportunities to pursue late secondary education and nine young women were awarded post-secondary education scholarships.

      LYDIA KUBAAR
      Secondary School
      (General Science)
      JINCHE DARI
      Secondary School
      (Home Economics)

      FAUSTINA L. SOLOMON
      HND Hotel, Catering & Institutional Management

      THERESAH DONIE KOFFIE
      BSc. Tourism Management
      RAFIATU SULEMANA
      Registered Nursing Assistant

      IDDISAH HAMIDATU
      Registered Midwifery

      EBITEY MOURICIA
      BSc. Midwifery
      HANNAH BAHAMEPEE
      Field Technician (Certificate)

      DONKOR DORCAS
      Registered Nursing Assistant

      SUSSANA ABENA B.
      Diploma in Health Information Management

      JULIET KRAH
      BSc. Social Change Communication

      As we continue to cultivate the pathway of sustainability

      through the gift of education, we greatly appreciate your

      partnership in helping more young men and women pursue

      higher education and equipping those in great need with skills

      and resources to become self-sufficient!
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      By

      42 scholarships provided
      AFRA BEGYEMA MADONNA (GRID & NEA Scholar)
      soora church building constructed + 2 under construction
      Soora congregation members joyfully gathered together for the commissioning of their newly built church.
      250 women increased their incomes

      I had no money to buy peanut seeds to start a peanut farm. My husband has been down with sickness so fending for our family was very difficult. Through the Babanayaa Project, I’m able to buy food to feed our family.

      REBECCA
      aquaculture growth

      In 2021, NEA supplied several community dams with fish fingerlings to boost their protein needs and about 18,000 fingerlings to some fish farmers in the region. As a result, the Fish Commissioner of Ghana has given NEA the award as the Region’s Best Fisher for 2021.

      SOALE
      (NEA Project Manager & Fishery Sector Head)
      baniantwe & wasipe Water Projects

      Women in our community used to trek several kilometres before they could get water, but the mechanized borehole and dam has relieved us of that plight.

      AKWASI NFRODJOUR
      (Baniantwe OpinIon Leader)
      leyataa hospital progress
      message from the executive director
      DR. DAVID MENSAH

      GROWING IMPACT TOGETHER!

      As I look back on the past year, I am grateful for all the hands that have joined together – hands in Ghana, Canada, the United States and England – to grow our impact in an ever-increasing number of lives and communities in Northern Ghana.

      The picture on the cover page of this report portrays what I’m talking about. One of our Babanayaa women is tending to peanut plants in her field. She is dedicated to caring for and nurturing these plants to grow healthy and flourish. And she is a wonderful example of how YOU, our generous and faithful partners, have been part of this growth, year after year.

      2021 certainly contained some challenges; however, together we made great strides amid the setbacks.

      Rain is the most important and yet most unpredictable component of crop production. As we embarked on the new peanut farming project with 250 women farmers, the rains came late, which delayed planting, and then they were torrential at the time of harvest, yet they still harvested 1,224 bags of peanuts. Rebecca, just one of the 250 women featured in this report, told us what a difference it has made for her family.

      Beyond this, I am delighted to report that as a result of the training we have provided for the women’s co-ops in 10 communities, they have each set up their own savings programs and are in the process of opening bank accounts! We did not expect to see this type of impact until the end of the project, but this is a clear sign that these women are already well on the way to achieving sustainable livelihoods.

      In addition, the completion of construction on the Leyaata Hospital was delayed because of heavy rains and COVID. Some of the materials needed took a very long time to arrive. Yet work has continued, and we are getting ready to paint the buildings, pave the roads, and order the furniture for the hospital staff housing.

      Universities were closed for a period, and yet since they reopened, we have sponsored a record number of young men and women on their journey to become self-sufficient through the scholarship program.

      As we look back at 2021 with thankfulness for all God has done, we also look toward what is in store in 2022. 250 more women will plant and harvest their peanut farms. Construction on two church buildings will be completed. More pastors will be trained. More students will be given the chance to excel. More food will be produced. The Leyaata Hospital will open its doors and begin its life-saving and life-changing care. We have much work yet to do.

      Tens of thousands of lives have already been transformed with your help. We look forward to sharing with you in 2022 how that will multiply!

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      https://grid-nea.org/2022/02/2021impactreport/

      GRID & NEA IMPACT UPDATES (NOVEMBER 2021)

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      Celebrating Our Journey Together

      THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF

      OUR PAST, OUR PRESENT & OUR FUTURE

      Forty years ago, Chief Soo Naba Mahami gave NEA land to start the Janga Project. At that time, one nurse served Janga and 14 surrounding villages. Snakebite claimed the lives of 50 people a year, guinea worm was widespread, many women died in childbirth and malnutrition was rampant in children.

      Janga community members gathered under this Gambringa tree (their village square) as
      Chief Soo Naba Mahami gave the land to NEA.

      Work began with women peanut farmers, providing clean water, expanding the clinic, lobbying the government for more medical staff, starting a ‘cold chain’ for anti-snake vaccines, increasing food production, education, and eventually, establishing a church in the community.

      Janga had one dilapidated primary school. Students had to live in another community to attend Junior High School. Barriers to education in this setting were overwhelming. With your support, a six-classroom primary school was built and scholarships were provided for needy secondary students.

      After years of work, the Janga Project became self-sustaining, and work began in the Carpenter area.

      The former NEA Project site was given back to the community and the District Education Office for the purpose of a secondary school. In addition to existing buildings, new ones are being constructed.

      Janga Secondary School under construction.

      LOBI VILLAGE POWER PROJECT

      Lobi Village has a population of less than 500 and is located about one kilometre from the larger town of Carpenter, where the children all go to school.

      Lobi was not connected to the national powerline because of the distance from the main road. This is a serious hindrance to the students’ learning since they cannot read or study at night without lights. This puts the Lobi students at a distinct disadvantage when competing for secondary school admission.

      The people from Lobi Village came to ask NEA for help. Thanks to a faithful foundation partner, NEA was able to work with the community and now Lobi has power. Students are so happy that they are now able to study at night.

      Powerline installed in the village of Lobi.
      A happy student studying at night.

      BANIANTWE WATER PROJECT

      Earlier this year, we shared how the women of Baniantwe were thrilled to have access to clean water.

      Now, the community is very grateful for the dam providing water for animals to drink, washing clothes, rearing fish and dry-season gardening.

      With the heavy rainfall, the volume of water in the pond is adequate to sustain 20,000 fingerlings rather than the initially planned 5,000.

      Three men and three women chosen by community members were trained this month on how to manage the fish program sustainably.

      Getting ready to stock the Baniantwe dam!
      Training of the fish pond managers.

      LEYAATA HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

      Back road of the hospital – maternity block (right) and oxygen plant building (left).
      Physiotherapy building. Tiled, windows and doors in… just waiting for paint, equipment, staff and patients!
      One of the tiled walkways. Window frames in. Awaiting outer ceiling finishing.
      Water treatment system.

      OUR FUTURE

      by Jacques Lapointe

      Our view of past and present events is clear and certain. Through photographs and memories, we view past and current events with thanksgiving for the work we see the Lord doing through us. However, our view of the future is never as certain. We can dream, make assumptions, pray for insight and, of course, for wisdom while we make plans and take the first few cautious steps forward. We’ve all experienced those times of uncertainty and those times of caution. And so it is with GRID and NEA.

      Until 2014, the Leyaata Hospital was but a dream; in 2015 we made assumptions in the form of a feasibility study. Then we made plans, and with God’s guidance, started implementation. We certainly did not anticipate work stoppages, construction material shortages and price increases, all due to COVID-19. Recently, torrential rain not seen in decades handed us another setback. Nevertheless, our dream is set to soon become a reality and we are so thankful!

      In planning for the future in Northern Ghana, GRID and NEA are always guided by our Mission Statement.

      Motivated by Christ’s love, our mission is to assist poor communities to meet their basic needs in a sustainable manner.

      It’s our North Star. We look at the many needs; we take account of the capabilities and capacity we have developed and we seek God’s guidance. Finally, we take into account funding, an essential aspect of future plans. Over the years, your investments have helped NEA become self-sustaining resulting in the capacity within NEA to sustain themselves as well as current programs.

      In spite of all that has been realized,

      • not all have clean water available
      • not all have access to proper healthcare
      • not all women have benefited from our women’s programs
      • not all farmers have received help to help expand their farms enough to feed their families
      • not all students capable of secondary or tertiary education are able to go
      • not all communities have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel message

      So, even in our catchment area of 160 communities with 200,000 people, there is much yet to do.

      NEA’s good reputation for making a real difference has spread far and wide in Northern Ghana. As a result, NEA regularly receives requests for help from needy communities outside their catchment area.

      Cumulatively over more than 30 years, many tens of thousands have achieved self-sufficiency with your help.

      And it’s with your help that we can do the same for thousands, perhaps even ten thousand more, next year.

      That’s how we see the future – each of us doing our part to help provide a better sustainable future for those unable to provide it for themselves.

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      GRID & NEA Impact Updates (September 2021)

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      EDUCATION TRANSFORMS COMMUNITIES

      Education is crucial to long-term sustainable development. By providing scholarships that allow young people to access secondary and tertiary education, we are helping to equip the next generation to meet the challenges of the future.

      In 2014 and many years since then, young women who received GRID – NEA scholarships for post-secondary education outnumbered the young men. This was a reflection of a much deeper change that was happening in communities. More girls now have access to primary and secondary education, thanks also to their families’ increased financial security. Rather than working for their family to simply survive, more parents can now send their children to school.

      Faustina comes from a family of five. Her dream is to become a pediatrician. She was inspired by Dr. Cecilia. Her passion for her work and how she treats and gives care and love to the kids fueled Faustina’s desire to become a pediatrician. She was so delighted to be selected as a beneficiary of a nursing scholarship. It paved the way for her dream to become a reality.

      Faustina looks forward to serving her community once she graduates.

      Because of your support, many young men and women are grateful for the opportunities that allow for their lives and their communities to be transformed.

      Equipping new leaders is essential as churches continue to grow. Through the continued support of a long-time church partner, we are able to provide scholarships for Bible College every year. Five students graduated in June and four have been assigned to various churches while one will continue pursuing her studies.

      Pastor Edward will be in charge of the Tandigne and Konkomba congregations. As incoming head of these two relatively young congregations, he aims at ensuring these churches grow not only in numbers but also spiritually.

      Pastor Daniel will oversee the Manchala, Kandige and Gbere congregations. He shared that the training he received at the Bible College has broadened his perspective on God’s Word and connected him to men of God from all walks of life, which he believes will empower him in his ministry.

      Pastor Janet was the only female among the five recent Bible College scholars. She believes the course has improved her people skills which is a prerequisite for ministry. Janet did very well in the diploma program and was accepted to pursue a Bachelor of Theology degree which will further equip her in her desire to serve the Lord.

      Pastor Emmanuel will be in charge of three churches (Nkwanta, Chaara and Weila).

      Pastor Victor will be the resident pastor of the Baniantwe church and will oversee two other churches.

      Each of these five new pastors will significantly impact their communities as they serve the congregations under their care.

      Providing scholarships to equal numbers of male and female students is our focus.

      Only 65% of females aged 16-18 in Ghana’s North attend school (GSS GLSS-6, 2014). According to the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, the lack of money to cover educational costs is the main reason behind school drop-outs.

      A survey of educational practices in Ghana affirms that the provision of scholarships to young women based on economic need is a proven, effective way to ensure they stay in school (Camfed 2012).

      Our hope is to prevent them from experiencing extreme poverty by increasing their options for safely earning a fair income. The women who suffer most from poverty tend to be:

      
> illiterate or have very limited education

> have married very early

> not aware of their human rights

      All are characteristics that can be reduced or eliminated by education.

      World Bank 2017 Report noted that girls who complete secondary and/or tertiary education are:

      
> more likely to participate in the formal labour market

> earn higher incomes

> have fewer children

> marry at a later age

> enable better health cae for their future children

      Through the Babanayaa Project, thirty young women from low-income families will receive scholarships to pursue secondary or tertiary education.

      In partnership with the Government of Canada, we can now help these young women increase their level of education. However, we need you to partner with us in helping more younger men and women pursue higher education.

      With your continued support, these thirty young women and other scholarship recipients will have a better future and become a driving force in transforming their communities. Thank you!

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