By Damian Avevor
12 July 2016
Three eminent Ghanaian Catholics, including a woman, have been honoured by Pope Francis for their invaluable and meritorious contributions to the development of the Church in Ghana.
The title of Caveliere dell’Ordine di San Gregorio Magna (Knight of St. Gregory the Great )was conferred on Sir ISAAC FRITZ ANDOH, immediate past Managing Director of Standard Newspapers and Magazines Limited, publishers of The Catholic Standard, the only National Catholic Weekly in Ghana.
Dame MRS. NOEMI JOVENES LOKKO, a Professional Nurse was conferred with the Dama dell’Ordine di San Silvestro Papa (Dame of St. Sylvester, Pope while MR. GERARD HILLARY OSEI BOAKYE, Board of Trustee of the Edward Osei Boakye Trust Fundwas awarded Croce Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (The Cross for the Church and for the Pope).
The conferment of the Award which took place at a short but impressive ceremony at Apostolic Nunciature in Accra on Friday, June 3, the Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus, was performed on behalf of the Holy Father by Most Rev. Jean Marie Speich, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.
The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries and some Papal Knights and Dames including Prof. Sir George Panyin Hagan, Sir Benedict Assorow, and Dame Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Kwofie.
Also present were family members, Priests, Religious and friends of the Awardees including Very Rev. Fr. Francis Adoboli, Vicar General of the Accra Archdiocese; Rev. Msgr. Alex Bobby Benson, from the Koforidua Diocese; Very Rev. Fr. John Louis, Lecturer at CIBT; Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, SVD, Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish in Accra.
The Staff of The Catholic Standard, led by Mr. Kwes Ofori-Kuragu, Acting Managing Director; members of the Ghana Journalists Association, led by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Bright Blewu and Senior Officers of the Knights of Marshall led by Sir Kt. Ernest Amoako-Arhen, the Supreme Knight, were also fully represented at the ceremony.
The Nuncio who recommended the three for the award, praisedthem for their dedicated service to the universal and local Church.
Conferring the Award on Sir Isaac Andoh, Archbishop Speich described him as a good practicing Catholic and a Journalist of good moral standing, “who has worked for seventeen years as the Editor and Managing Director of The Catholic Standard, the only National Catholic Weekly.”
The Nuncio said “During this period, he has assisted the Church in proclaiming the Good News especially the dissemination of the ChurchDocuments to the general faithful.”
Sir Andoh, he said, also assisted the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference particularly in the Church’s works of evangelisation and social development in Ghana and beyond.
He said he had excelled in the field of Journalism and was a recipient of the International Institute of Journalism 1988 Jubilee Award and the 1988/1990 GJA Award for Journalistic Excellence.
Archbishop Speich said Sir Andoh “has written Articles and Papers depicting how media can contribute positively to the national and international development. His Church involvement includes being an active member of the Noble Order of Knights of Marshall, a Catholic Friendly Society within the Church and a great supporter of several Societies in the Catholic Church.”
Oh her part, the Nuncio described Dame Lokko as a pious person, who is a committed mother with high human, moral and Christian values and dedicates her life to the service of the people and the Church.
“Living for a number of years in Ghana, she extends her help to the Nunciature in many ways particularly in the health care aspect. She offers medical services to the Apostolic Nunciature, Missionaries and to the poor and needy,” he added.
According to the Nuncio, Dame Lokko practices her nursing profession in fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church and strongly encourages and influences others in the medical field to do same.
Mr. Osei Boakye, the Nuncio said, had been rendering services to the Church and Charity Organisations and gave support to the wider community especially the needy groups like the Orphanage Centres, voluntary support and service to the Catholic Church, needy groups and individuals.
Papal Orders of Knighthood or Pontifical Orders of Knighthood are awarded in the name of the Pope, by his authority as Head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of State of the Holy See.
The three Awardees individually thanked Pope Francis and the Nuncio for the honour done them, saying that they were overwhelmed by the Honour.
They said the Award would encourage them to continue to serve the one Holy Roman Catholic Church in any capacity.
The Order of the Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great was instituted on September 1, 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI, as a sign of great reverent affection towards his predecessor, Pope (St.) Gregory I (the Great), to confer awards of value and distinction of honour and testimonials of praise on persons whose merit were well known to the public and also to the Roman Pontiff.
The Instrument establishing the Order reserves to the Roman Pontiff and his successors the right to create as Knights those known to and recommended for various reasons to be so honoured.
The Order is currently awarded for conspicuous service to the Catholic Church, without regard to religious affiliation.These awards are typically made based on recommendations from Diocesan Bishops or Nuncios for specific services rendered to the Church.
Membership in the Order of St. Gregory does not carry the religious obligations of the military orders, making it the preferred Award of merit for individual service to the Church. Since 1994, women have been appointed as Dames in the same classes as men.
The Dame of the Order of St. Sylvester, Pope, is to honour lay people who are actively involved in the life of the Church, particularly as it is exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties and mastership of the different arts
The Order of St. Sylvester is presented in the same classes and grades as the Order of St. Gregory
The Cross for the Church and for the Popeis given to lay people and Religious for distinguished service to the Church. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Pope.
