By Agnes Ansah
Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – The Accra Diocese of the Anglican Clergy Spouses Association has inducted new executives to steer its affairs from 2026 to 2028, with a four-point agenda focused on strengthening the Church’s ministries and supporting communities.
The executives were inaugurated at the Accra Ridge Church on Saturday, on the theme: “Faithfulness, Commitment and Standing Together in Ministry.”
The ceremony, chaired by Mrs Rachel Baddoo, Esq., was attended by former First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Professor Margaret Amankwaa Poku, Guest Speaker; and Mrs Theodora Nana Akua Difie Nelson, National President of the Association.
Also present were Anglican clergy, parish priests and traditional leaders.
Mrs Rosemary Naa Ayorkor Torgbor was inducted as President, with Mrs Barbara Bernice Dodoo as Vice-President, Mrs Joseline Quao as Secretary and Mrs Mercy Calys-Tagoe as Assistant Secretary.
The other executives are Mrs Rebecca Quarcoopome, Financial Secretary; Mrs Patience Sena Addo-Botchway, Treasurer; Mrs Judith Eyi Armah, Public Relations Officer/Organiser; Mrs Elizabeth Kwatiokor Botchway, Chaplain; and Mrs Angeli Borketey, Porter.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs Torgbor expressed gratitude and humility, describing the position as a call to service, sacrifice, compassion and leadership.
She outlined four priority areas for her administration: strengthening children’s ministry, supporting priestly training, equipping clergy spouses with sustainable livelihood skills,and supporting communities through the Pad the Girl initiative.
She said investing in children would help secure their future, while supporting priestly training would equip the clergy with the knowledge and resources needed for effective ministry.
She added that livelihood skills would enable clergy spouses to turn their talents into income-generating opportunities and support their families.
The Pad the Girl initiative, she said, would help keep girls in school through menstrual hygiene support and promote their dignity.
Mrs Torgbor also announced plans to establish a Clergy Widows Support Fund to provide emotional, social and financial assistance to widows and families of deceased priests.
She called on members, priests, church leaders, partners and well-wishers to support the Association through prayers, expertise, mentorship, resources and active participation.
She paid tribute to former presidents and outgoing executives for their service and the foundation they had laid, pledging to build on their achievements.
In her remarks, the chairperson, Mrs Baddoo, congratulated the executives for their new role, and described the induction as the beginning of a new chapter in the Association’s journey.
She acknowledged the unique role of clergy spouses, noting that although they were not ordained, they shared the demands and responsibilities of their husbands’ ministry at home, in the Church and at their workplaces.
She said the Association provided friendship, encouragement, prayer and practical support to ensure that clergy spouses did not feel isolated, while extending assistance to communities beyond its membership.
Over the years, the Association had supported the growth of various departments and ministries of the Anglican Church, with particular attention to smaller congregations, priestly formation, community welfare and the well-being of clergy spouses.
Its support for smaller congregations included providing church chairs, polytanks, logistics and financial assistance to improve their facilities and create conducive environments for worship.
It had also introduced quarterly visits to selected congregations to fellowship with members, identify their challenges and provide support.
In priestly formation, the Association had mobilised financial and other assistance for those preparing for ordination.
It plans to establish a dedicated fund to make such support sustainable and reduce the need for repeated contributions from members.
In creating awareness on breast cancer, the Association hadalso supported sensitisation programmes and organised spiritual enrichment activities, including retreats, talks and fellowship sessions, to strengthen members’ spiritual lives.
Building on these interventions, it plans to expand its community outreach to include girl-child education and menstrual hygiene awareness, including educational programmes in selected schools and the distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls.
It also intends to introduce practical skills training for clergy spouses, particularly those without stable employment, to improve their income-generating opportunities and support their families.
The proposed widows’ support fund is expected to provide assistance to clergy spouses who have lost their husbands.
Through these initiatives, the Association seeks to sustain the achievements of previous administrations, strengthen its support for the Anglican Church and improve the spiritual, social and economic well-being of clergy spouses, their families and the wider community.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe