Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “We want to work on evangelization and human development in a difficult are of our country,” Fr. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Apostolic Prefect of Donkorkrom (in eastern Ghana), told Agenzia Fides. The Apostolic Prefecture of Donkorkrom was erected on June 12, 2007, exactly one year ago, by Pope Benedict XVI, setting aside territory from the Diocese of Koforidua. “There is a strong migration movement in the area, from the rural parts to the city, as the environmental conditions are not the best. Due to the stagnant water present, the area is being infested by malarial mosquitoes. Among the victims are many children,” Fr. Kumordji told us.
“I hope to continue promoting human development, especially in the area of education and health. In relation to the first point, I would like to see Catholic professors, once they are formed and have completed an initial teaching cycle, remain in the area and not transfer to the city. I would like to offer greater support to private schools present in all the parishes of the Prefecture, and the girls’ schools. We also have a project underway for founding a professional school for boys.”
“Regarding health, there is only one hospital in the area, run by the Presbyterian community. We hope to improve collaboration with them and then start a new hospital in the other part of the zone, in order to facilitate access for those who currently live farther away from the hospital.”
“In order to finance these projects, we are counting on support from the Church in Ghana and the aid from our sister Churches in other countries. However, we also hope to become self-reliant. It is a long-term project. For now, we are thinking of opening an Internet Cafe with wideband internet service to provide the youth with access to the worldwide web and form a “Social Center,” a structure that is nonexistent in the area and that would provide a place where they can meet and talk. The NGOs working in the area are also in need of a building of this kind, where they can plan and administer their work. With what we charge for using the structure, we will be able to save up funds for local ecclesial activities,” Fr. Kumordji concluded.
The Prefecture has 6 Divine Word missionaries, one of whom is of local origin and three Fidei Donum priests from various dioceses of Ghana. There are also 7 SSps missionaries (sisters). The Apostolic Prefecture of Donkorkrom has an extension of 4,260 km sq. and a population of 136,000 inhabitants, of whom 12,000 (or 8.8%) are Catholic.
Fr. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji was born in Accra on March 24, 1956. He was ordained a priest on July 14, 1985. He is the Provincial Superior of the SVDs in Ghana and President of the local Conference of Religious Major Superiors. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2008)
