The building of St. Jude Catholic Church in Korkordzor, located in the Archdiocese of Accra, has been successfully completed, thanks to the generous donation of ₵1.7 million by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of Ghana.
This donation has not only breathed new life into the building but also touched the hearts of the community, offering a place of worship to the faithful in the New Weija area.
When Fr. Andrew Campbell, the Priest in Charge of St. Jude Catholic Church, took up his post three and a half years ago, the church was in dire need of repairs. As Fr. Campbell recalls, the state of the church was less than ideal: “When I came here three and half years ago, the place was in a bad state of disrepair. The roofing was really in a mess. It was leaking at so many places and it was a great deal of time and money to repair the roof.”
The church also faced many infrastructural challenges that hindered its ability to serve the community. Fr. Campbell continues, “There was no screeding on the floor and on the altar. There was no tiles when I came here. There just some flash lights in and around the building. There was no fans except some hand fans around, so a lot had to be done. There was no painting.”
It was at this juncture that Dr. Bawumia, who had already been involved in various philanthropic endeavors in the country, stepped in to offer his support.
His commitment to ensuring the church’s transformation was captured in a visit he made to the Church community in July 2024. During this visit, Dr. Bawumia pledged to fund the completion of the church building project, a promise he wholeheartedly fulfilled.
“I understand why Fr. Campbell asked me to come. I have seen your Church building. You have worked to a point but you have not finished. Leave the rest to me,” Dr. Bawumia said during his visit in July 2024.
The funds provided by Dr. Bawumia were used to address the most pressing needs of the church. Fr. Campbell describes the impact of this generosity saying, “With the help of Dr. Bawumia, he gave us one million, five hundred thousand cedis to be able to repair the whole roof. Put in a new ceiling, put in new lights. Put in about 26 fans. We have been able to tile the whole place. The sanctuary is done. We have a new altar and a new lectern. The back of the altar is also done and all the inside and outside painting has been done.”
Fr. Campbell told Catholic Trends that While the initial donation was more than helpful, the project was not quite complete. He pointed out that there were still some unfinished tasks, including the construction of a toilet facility. Again, Dr. Bawumia extended his support further.
“Out of the money he gave us, we had two hundred thousand cedis left. When I mentioned to him what is left and the fact that we have not completed the toilet, he asked how much it will cost. I said an extra two hundred thousand cedis and he said I will give it to you on Monday.”
This brought the total donation to ₵1.7 million, and with it, the St. Jude Church was able to complete its construction, ensuring that the community now has a modern, fully-equipped space for worship. “We are so grateful to Dr. Bawumia for what he has done for St. Jude Church,” Fr. Campbell expressed.
Aside philanthropic acts as this, the former Vice President has also been very active in the live of the Weija Leprosarium headed by Fr. Campbell.
In December 2024, Priscilla, a four-year-old cured leper from the Weija Leprosarium, whom Dr Bawumia sponsored for medical treatment in Italy, visited him at his home to express her gratitude.
“I got my best Christmas gift yesterday when Priscilla, a four-year-old cured leper from the Weija leprosarium whom I sponsored for medical treatment of her amputated leg in Italy returned to Ghana and paid me a visit at home to thank me and show that she can now walk with her new leg. To God be the glory,” Dr Bawumia wrote.
In January 2025, he organised a New Year celebration for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals—the cured leprosy patients from the Weija Leprosarium.
He hosted the event at his official residence in Accra, where hundreds of cured leprosy patients, along with their guardians, family members, and friends, gathered.
Over the years, he has demonstrated his dedication to helping these individuals by ensuring they benefit from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme and providing them with essential items, including food and other necessities.
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