The Accra Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women has made a donation of ten thousand cedis in support of the St. Martin Deaf Ministry in Ghana.
The presentation was made at the 2023 WUCWO day celebration held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral on September 9.
This year’s gathering of all women in the Archdiocese was on the theme “Women of WUCWO, Artisans of human fraternity for world peace.”
Responding to the gesture, director of the ministry, Rev. Fr. René Kouame Dan Yao, SMA said the donation will go a long way in advancing the courses that are dear to the ministry.
“We the St. Martin Deaf Ministry are gathered here to express our profound gratitude to the Catholic Women’s Council for their generous donation towards us. In 2nd Corinthians 9:7, we are reminded that each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give not under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver,” He said.

“Your cheerful generosity embodies the spirit of this verse and we are extremely grateful for your support. This donation will go a long way in advancing the courses that are dear to our hearts as we strive to promote human fraternity and world peace. It is with much gratitude that we accept this gift which will enable us to make a positive impact in our community and beyond,” He added.
About St. Martin Deaf Ministry
The Saint Martin Deaf Ministry (SMDM) was founded in Ghana on the feast of Christ the King by Rev. Fr. KOUAME RENE DAN YAO, SMA on the 22nd November 2020 at the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ashaley Botwe. Rev. Fr René had the desire to minister to the Deaf Community in 2013.
This happened as a result of a failure to offer Catechesis to the Deaf Community of Mary’s Meal Centre in Bomi County, Liberia. He did not allow the desire to die off. He therefore seized the opportunity offered to him during his theological studies to learn the Kenyan Sign Language for Pastoral Ministry.
After his diaconate ordination on 17th May 2017, Rev. Fr. René was appointed to St. Mary Mother of God, Embulbul Parish, where he started the St. Martin Deaf Community. From Kenya, he went to his own country, Côte d’Ivoire where he was ordained on the 23rd June 2018 at St Michel d’Adjamé.