The troops donated the items to the Parish Priest of the Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church at Barra, Reverend Father Kofi BourOffeh on Tuesday, 22 December 2020 in a short ceremony at the church.
Ghanaian Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Richard DansoNimako said his contingent would have wished to host the children in their camp as a group for music and other forms of entertainment but could not as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the move is a way of thanking the people of Barra in particular and all Gambians in general for the support they have been giving to the current Ghanaian troops since their arrival in the country almost a year ago.
He advised the children to live good lives as Jesus Christ did so that they become good and responsible citizens in future.
Ghana is a country made up of both Christians and Muslims and both religions have lived together peacefully for centuries. It will be recalled that the Ghanaian troops also presented educational materials to an Islamic school in Barra during the Eid celebrations. It is to show the diversity, that the contingent also decided to donate the food and other items to the Catholic Church.
The Parish Priest of the Saint Matthew’s church at Barra, Reverend Father Kofi Bour, who is also a Ghanaian, thanked the troops for the donation.
He indicated that the food and drinks were enough to go around the estimated 400 children in the Diocese. He also prayed for the Ghanaians to have a successful tour of duty in The Gambia and in their future endeavors.
The Banjul Diocese comprises parishes such as the Saint Matthew’s at Barra, Saint Micheal at Njongon, Saint Vincent de Paul at Amdalai, Our Lady of Visitation at Bakindick, Saint Bridget at Kessewa, Saint Luke’s at Bakalar, Saint John’s at Toubakolong and Saint Peter and Paul at Albreda.
The items were presented on behalf of the Ghanaians by their delegation led by Captain Jibril Osman (Company Commander), Captain MbrahAikens (Medical Officer), Lieutenant Jennifer Adobea Nkrumah (Officer-in-Charge, Civil-Military Cooperation) and Senior Warrant Officer ZakariaIssifu (Company Sergeant Major).
