Projects ⇒ Rafiki

The Methodist Church Ghana, in collaboration with the Rafiki Foundation Inc. USA, has established the first Satellite Village at Gyahadze in the Winneba Diocese.  The Sod cutting Ceremony for the commencement of the construction of the Village buildings was performed on Monday, 15 August 2005.  The Cornerstone laying and the unveiling of plaque to commemorate the partnership between The Methodist Church Ghana and the Rafiki Foundation Inc. USA for the establishment of the Orphanage at Gyahadze took place on Thursday, 24 October, 2006.

The Village was dedicated to the Glory of God on Thursday, 26 July 2007.  It was officially opened on Friday, 14 December, 2007 by the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Robert K. Aboagye-Mensah, assisted by the Administrative Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kow B. Egyir, the Bishop of the Winneba Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Kow Ghunney, the General Director of BSRRD, Ms. Gladys Odoi, and other Bishops together with a representative of the Rafiki Foundation Inc. USA, Ms. Cathy Carney.

The function was chaired by Ms. Eva Lokko, former Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and ICT Consultant of The Methodist Church Ghana.  There was a fundraising which yielded GHc8,480.00 (equivalent to $8,480).

The Village started with six children – four girls and two boys with ages ranging from one year six months to four years.  The Advisory Committee has given approval to increase the number of children.  Dioceses with orphans may, therefore, start their screening and submit the screening reports to the Village Director, for consideration.

The day-to-day Administration of the Village is run by the Village Director, Rev. Ekow Sey, formerly of the Winneba Diocese assisted by the Child Care Centre Director, Mrs. Rejoice Dei Forson, a Teacher by profession and former Head of the Home Economic Department of Odoben Secondary School in the Central Region. A Mother, Assistant Mother, Cook, Foreman, Cleaners and Watchmen have also been employed. 

Running a Village of this nature involves a lot of funds.  Currently the Village has water but there is no electricity; this is due to financial constraints.  The Board requires GHc24,200 to be able to get electricity extended to the Village.  The Board will, therefore, welcome financial support from the Dioceses as well as individual members to pay to get the electricity extended to the Village.  The Board will also welcome support, in cash and in kind, from Dioceses, Organizations and individual members of the Church to continue the work in the Village.

The Rafiki Foundation Inc. USA will hand over the Village fully to The Methodist Church Ghana to run after 5 years of the establishment of the Village.  The Church will therefore have to start raising funds and investing seriously toward the full take-over.

Project Cost –Re: Construction Works
The total Project cost for the Construction Works is US$538,000.00 and GHc22,600 (equivalent to $22,600).

Contribution from Rafiki Foundation Inc., USA    -   US$538,000.00
Contribution from The Methodist Church Ghana  -     GHc22,600.00 (equivalent to GHc22,600)

The current members of the Advisory Committee are –

        The Presiding Bishop (Chairman)
The Lay President
The Administrative Bishop
The Bishop of Winneba
The General Director, BSRRD
Prof. John H. Amuasi, Satellite Programme Director
Ms. Cathy Carney, Village Director, Rafiki Village, Kotoku
Mr. Tony Adams (Jnr.), Contractor, Integrated Builders
Mrs. Regina Akotey, Proprietress, BEATOM Nursery School
The Village Director, Methodist Rafiki Satellite Village
The Assistant to the Administrative Bishop, (Secretary)

Village Advisory Committee
The Village is in the process of putting in place a Village Advisory Committee, which is the local Committee, under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Winneba, to assist the Village Director in the decision-making process at the local level.

APPRECIATION
The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation and gratitude to all those, who in diverse ways have helped in the establishment and running of the Village, especially Mrs. Rosemary Jensen, the President of the Rafiki Foundation Inc.  USA, the Chief of Gyahadze, Neenyi Heitey III, Adontehene of Winneba Traditional Area, Nana Felix Ghartey and other Elders of Gyahadze, the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Robert K. Aboagye-Mensah, Prof. John Amuasi, the Rafiki Satellite Village Director, the Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Morrison, immediate past Bishop of Winneba, the Rt. Rev. Ekow Ghunney, the current Bishop of Winneba, the past and present Synod Secretaries of Winneba Dioceses and the Winneba Diocese in general