President of Caritas Internationalis and Archbishop of Tokyo visits HDR Sisters of Accra

The visit addressed pressing issues within the HDR community, particularly regarding the desire to continue to train women and girls in the Ghanaian community.

The HDR Vice Superior General, Sr. Regina Ignatia Aflah highlighted the dire situation at St. Ann Vocational Institute, a school established by Bishop Oliver Bowers, SVD, the founder of the HDR Congregation.

“Your Grace, as you may be aware, the late Bishop Oliver Bowers who founded the HDR Congregation established a lot of schools in Ghana and one of the schools he dedicated to the handmaid is St. Ann Vocational Institute where Bishop Oliver Bowers spent his last days,” Sr. Aflah noted.

“Due to the difficulties in the educational system in Ghana especially the challenges with the Free Senior High School Policy, the Vocational schools in Ghana are almost collapsing. It is on that note that the HDR want to present a request to your Grace to see if it is possible for the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer to have some partnership in education to see how we can revive this school,” the HDR Sisters Vice Superior said.

Archbishop Kikuchi responded with a deep sense of nostalgia and commitment saying, “What I can say is the HDR is now growing and I really thank God. As I mentioned during the homily, my first day in Ghana at the Kotoka International Airport was my encounter with the HDR Sisters.”

“So without your presence, I may not have reached my destination successfully. I still enjoy my memories of working together in the Krobo area,” the Archbishop added.

He acknowledged the request for assistance with the vocational school and promised to seek ways to provide support. “I have also received a request to consider the possibility of uplifting the vocational school. I personally cannot do it but I can think about where to approach to get assistance,” he said.

The visit concluded with a ceremonial presentation of stoles to the Archbishop and his assisting priest, Fr. Martin Dumas, SVD.

Archbishop Kikuchi expressed his intention to return to Ghana in five years to celebrate his silver jubilee as a Bishop, should circumstances allow. Accompanying the Archbishop was a team of volunteers from Japan.