The Accra East Grand, comprising Accra East Grand Commandery (AEGC) and Ladies’ Auxiliary (AEGLA) of the Knights of St. John International has launched its 10th Anniversary on the theme, “Ten Years of Service: Repositioning Accra East Grand for Maximum Impact on the Noble Order in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra”.
The launch which took place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Adenta, on 17th March, 2024 was attended by Grand Officers, District Officers and representatives from all Local Commanderies, District and Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliaries within the Accra East Grand.
Speaking at the launch, Brigadier General Samuel Baimbill-Johnson, the Grand President of the Accra East Grand Commandery, and his counterpart, Noble Sister Margaret Palmer Buckle, the Respected Grand President of the Accra East Grand Ladies’ Auxiliary, jointly noted that the theme aligns with the vision of the Accra East Grand.
“This anniversary theme supports the Joint Grand Board’s overall vision of ensuring that our Grand remains or becomes, the most attractive, the most buoyant and the most competitive Grand among the Grand Commanderies and Auxiliaries in Ghana specifically and West Africa in general”, he said.
Reflecting on the journey of the AEGC, Brigadier General Baimbill- Johnson acknowledged the success of the Accra East Grand from its inception and said the Anniversary affords us as a Grand to “re-evaluate the course and strategize for the years ahead”.
He added that various Local Commanderies and Ladies’ Auxiliaries of KSJI have actively participated in Parish activities, including building Grottos, Altars in new Churches and carrying out several charitable endeavors over the years.
The Accra East Grand Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary currently consists of 24 Local Commanderies and 21 Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliaries along with their Cadets and Juniors operating within the Tema-Battor, Osu, Madina and Ashiaman Deaneries of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra.
Since its establishment in July 2013 from the erstwhile Accra Grand Commandery and Ladies’ Auxiliary at the Biennial Grand Convention in 2013, the AEGC and AEGLA have experienced significant growth during the period under review.
Various activities have been earmarked to commemorate the 10th anniversary celebrations, including lectures, retreats, presentations to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, joint celebration of the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and a Dinner Dance and Awards Night in December 2024 to climax the Anniversary celebrations.
Very Rev. Fr. Edmond Donkor-Baine, the Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at Adenta who presided over the Eucharistic Celebration admonished members to continue to support the Church in every way they can.
The two Grand Presidents presented a token to support the Church.