Put Ghana First
From Innocent Samuel Appiah, Saltpond
Most Rev. Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu, Bishop of Ho, has urged members of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of St. John International (KSJI), who want to go into politics to put Ghana first in all their endeavours. He said that activities of Political Parties were good but when Politicians behave and talk violently, then “we realize that they are only playing a selfish game and striving for gold in the Ghanaian politics.”
Bishop Lodonu was speaking at a thanksgiving Mass at Saltpond in the Cape Coast Archdiocese to climax the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the Noble Order in Ghana.
The Mass was concelebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Colonel Ted Nelson-Adjakpey, the Supreme Subordinate Chaplain and scores of Priests.
The three-day celebration was attended by over 3,500 members of the Order and was on the theme: Peace, Unity and Reconciliation.
The Bishop, whose 75th birthday coincided with the landmark anniversary of KSJI advised members of the Order to enter into the Ghanaian political life and transform it.
He said, “I believe that some of the minor Political Parties are striving to change the political aggressive atmosphere.”
Bishop Lodonu, who is the Spiritual Director of the Order, said Ghana needs statesmen “not the callous and the rough types,” urging Ghanaians to reject people who saw politics as a gold or diamond mine.
The KSJI Spiritual Director said that Ghana needs peace today, tomorrow and always.
“As a Knight and a Lady of St. John, the Catholic Church sees you as a (Defensor Fidei) Defender of the Faith, who will defend and protect any Catholic, a Pope, a Cardinal, a Bishop, a Priest or a Religious. Indeed, this is happening and we are proud of you all,” he maintained.
The Bishop called on members of KSJI to strive to make a difference at their workplaces so that they could be seen truly as Christians.
He lamented about the vices that had engulfed society today and challenged the Knights and Ladies as soldiers of Christ, to let their light shine so that men may give praise to God, and in doing so, they could stand firm and fight against these vices.
“The type of society we live in where there is corruption, laziness at work, destruction of state property and careless handling of all public things and affairs, need true witnesses who can make a choice for excellence in our way of life, “he added.
“It is time for us to courageously proclaim that we are Catholics. Up to date, leading Catholics are afraid to be known by colleagues or general public that we are Catholics. We hide our faith; we cover our light with a basket. People will laugh at us,” he noted.
The Supreme Second Vice President, Lieutenant-General Frederick Kwabena Akwaboah, said 75 years in the life of an institution was a unique occasion worth celebrating.
He said the seed that was planted by the Quansahs, the founders, has now sprouted and deserved to be commemorated, and intimated that they were celebrating the event because God has allowed them to achieve the objectives of the Order.
The Supreme Subordinate President, Major General Larry Kofi Tandjie, said that the theme for the celebration fits into the campaign and election atmosphere of the country.
He said; “Ghana is the only country we have. We pray that the process must be devoid of acrimonious vituperation. An opponent is not an enemy. This is well illustrated by the jovial and cordial atmosphere during break time of our Parliamentarians irrespective of their political inclinations. There is no reason why this camaraderie should not succeed well with their followers.”
General Dale Gossiaux, the Supreme President, issued the Military Commission on Bishop Lodonu as a Brigadier-General which was presented to him by Lieutenant-General Akwaboah during the celebration.
The Bishop expressed gratitude for the honour done him and pledged his unflinching support to the Order in Ghana and beyond.
Activities to mark the celebration included a vigil night with candle light procession by members from Saltpond, and a Memorial Mass by the Fourth District Commandery and District 3 Ladies Auxiliary of the Cape Coast Grand Commandery.
The West African Temple exemplified 35 members from the First and Fourth Districts of the Cape Coast Grand Commandery into the Noble Degree and conducted them into the Temple.
Monuments of the late Emmanuel Raphael Quansah and Anthony Quansah, built by the members at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Grotto at Saltpond, were unveiled by Bishop Lodonu, who was supported by the Supreme Subordinate Officers.
Cash presentations were made to the Archbishop Amissah’s Fund, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.