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Photographs
by Scot Facer Proctor
Editors’ Note: See
all the articles on Ghana “under one roof” here.
click
photos to enlarge
Imagine being
a bishop gazing out over your congregation knowing that 75% of
them are unemployed. You are charged with the temporal and spiritual
welfare of these people, yet many are without an education, adequate
housing, transportation and few prospects of receiving such any
time soon. The task before you is overwhelming.
Great need
is at every turn and this small flock of God's followers looks
to you as His representative to help them rise above their circumstances. They
have come into the fold with the hope of a better life in every
respect; not just for the salvation of their souls but for physical
relief as well.
Welcome to
Ghana—the former Gold Coast, where foreigners used to find treasure
while they exploited the natives. Today the economy is 70% home
industries. Drive down the streets and you can see the economic
base of the country. Hawkers with strong shoulders who carry
baskets on their heads and markets with little shops selling
cloth or handicrafts. People with anxious looks hoping they can
clear enough money to buy dinner tonight. Farmers whose herds
of goats scavenge for food. Established industry is only the
smallest part of the economy in Ghana, and that means looking
for a job that can support your family is often a bleak prospect.
Yet, the welfare
program of the church was designed to teach its members self-reliance
and provident living. In 1936, President Heber J. Grant said
of the church's goal, “Our primary purpose was to set up, in
so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse
of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished,
and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more
established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help
the people to help themselves.” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1936,
p. 3.)
Self-reliance
is a fine goal, but is it possible in a country where the per
capita income is under $400 a year and there is massive unemployment? One
of the Church's most experienced and capable welfare experts,
Isaac Ferguson, has been called to Ghana and given such a task.
He’s had the
experience he’ll need for a job like this. He’s worked for the
Church for 30 years, received a PhD in health sciences and directed
the Thrasher Research Fund (a child health grant-making organization)
and the Church Humanitarian Services. From 1998 to 2001 he served
as mission president in Arizona.
Now, as Africa
West Area Welfare Manager, he’s back for a stint in the field
where every insight will be called upon. For Ike, it’s a dream
to put his knowledge to work on the frontlines. Ike knows that
with the principles of love, service, stewardship, hard work
and consecration members in Ghana can be lifted to success, despite
the ostensibly dim outlook before them.
Click
here to read Part 2 of “For the Welfare of Our People” by Sylvia
Finlayson.
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© 2004 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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