By Arnold Neliba
ACCRA, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 (CISA)-The Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, Mr Zan Samuel Akologo has urged charity organisations to explore humanitarian innovations that empower the poor and create sustainability amid the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
“This is our calling and our joy and we must remember the poor in impoverished countries who are at the greatest risk on the greatest scale by stretching forth our hands not just by physical means but also through prayer,” he said.
Akologo was speaking during a webinar conference organised by Caritas Ghana to mark celebration of World Day of the Poor instituted by Pope Francis for the 33rd Sunday of the Church’s Liturgical Calendar.
The webinar held in partnership with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Rome; Caritas Internationalis and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference was on the Topic: “Building Inclusive, Welcoming and Equitable Societies in the Covid-19 and Other Humanitarian Crises.”
“…the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, especially its economic adversities have been felt all around the world with its harsh realities mostly affecting the vulnerable in the society living in poverty; women and children, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups,” Akologo said in the November 12 conference.
Sharing the message of Pope Francis for this year’s World Day of the Poor, Akologo said “…It is a call for all of us to demonstrate that right from the beginning, the entire Church was instructed to be mindful of, and feel some measure of responsibility for the plight of our neighbors, however geographically and culturally remote they might be.”
He stressed that Caritas Ghana remains firm in its tradition to care for the most vulnerable people living in poverty, displaced women and children, persons living with disability and other marginalized groups.
“…the needs of the poor are overwhelming but we must remain steadfast in our pursuit to do more for the poor bearing in mind the short- and long-term impact of Covid-19 on the poor,” he added.
Also participating at the Webinar were the Most Rev. Joseph Osei Bonsu, Episcopal Chairman of Caritas Ghana, Dr. Afisah Zakaria, Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms. Araba Martels Hughes, the Diocesan Youth Coordinator of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, and Sr. Regina Ignatia Aflah, HDR, the Coordinator for Human Rights and Justice for Caritas Ghana.
