MINUTES OF THE ACCRA ARCHDIOCESAN
COSRA DEANERY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, ODORKOR ON AUGUST 2, 2009
Opening
The Chairman called the meeting to order at about 10:35am. Bro Anthony Adjei said the opening
prayer.
Reflection
An open call was made by the Chairman for any member to share with us the readings of the
day. Bro. Anthony Adjei, Organizing Secretary of Accra West Deanery (AWD) said that as Christians we need to always cleanse
ourselves so that the body of Christ will have an impact on us. The President added that the values of life are in us and
we must always seek the face of God.
Welcome
The Vice Chairman of AWD, Bro Daniel Tornyigah, welcomed all members to the Deanery. He wished
us well and asked that we make judicious use of all facilities at our disposal.
Role
The role was taken by the Chairman and the outcome at the start of the meeting was as follows:
Accra West Deanery (AWD): 3 Executives
Accra East Deanery (AED): 7
Executives
Tema-Battor Deanery (TBD): Nil
The
Chairman was not pleased that TBD was not in yet for the meeting. She however said proceedings will continue until they joined
us.
Adoption of Previous Minutes
Members were taken through the minutes page by page. Few corrections were made and Bro. Matthias Akorli of AED moved for the acceptance of the minutes and was seconded
by Bro. Daniel Tornyigah of AWD.
Matters arising from Previous Meeting
SOWUTOUM VISITATION
Contributions towards the visitation at the St. Pauls Major Seminary, Sowutoum, have not
been encouraging especially on the part of TBD. Deaneries presented the following:
§
AWD - GH¢ 150
§
AED – GH¢ 100 and a
lot of provisions
§
TBD – GH¢ 50
The house therefore agreed that TBD be called to order. The Chairman asked Deaneries to critically
and dispassionately discuss whether we should continue to visit the Seminaries since it has become very difficult for members
to contribute towards it.
BLOOD DONATION
The exercise for AWD and TBD took place on July 27, 2009. AED has scheduled theirs on August
9, 2009. 75 members donated at AWD and 50 screening for breast cancer and hepatitis B. Statistics could not be gotten for
TBD since they were not around. Beverage was made available to all Deaneries.
MAIN BUSINESS
1. END OF YEAR GET-TO-GETHER AND SALSA NIGHT
The host Deanery, AED, presented a very detailed report for consideration by the house. Summary
of the report is below:
- VENUE
Anoma Mess and GBC Club house were given back to the committee to choose. The committee was
asked to take into consideration cost, security and transportation issues in their decision.
- DATE AND TIME
It was agreed that January 9, 2010 be the date for the event. The time is 3pm prompt.
- SALSA LESSONS
Salsa lessons have been arranged for the day. Members who are interested in the dance are
encouraged to take part. This is just a side attraction of the programme.
- FEE
The house agreed on a fee of GH¢ 15.00 per participant to cover buffet, two bottles of drink,
venue cost, media coverage, invited guest, salsa lessons and other miscellaneous. Tickets will be printed for sale by the
Committee.
- ATTIRE
The attire for the occasion is anything FORMAL.
The Deaneries present by consensus agreed that all Deanery end of year parties will be suspended
to create a good patronage for the maiden programme of the Archdiocese.
2. NATIONAL GAMES
The Vice President of the Archdiocese who is also a member of the games planning committee
was not impressed about the rate of payment of participation fee by the Deaneries. He however said that all was set for the
event.
Pairing has been done and is as follows for the first round:
§
TBD vrs Obuasi Diocese
§
AED vrs Takoradi Archdiocese
§
AWD vrs Keta Akatsi Diocese
Other issues that were raised included:
o
Members will be required
to feed their drivers
o
No alcohol in and around
the games village
The National President joined the meeting at this time and took the opportunity to address
the house on the games. He was not happy the manner in which COSRA members respond to activities in terms of payment. He blamed
leadership for not doing much to whip up the interest of members for programmes. He asked leaders to advise their members
to be of good behaviour and dress responsibly at the games village.
3. INAUGURATION OF BRANCHES
Inauguration of St. Anthony branch at New Achimota in the AWD will be on August 9, 2009.
Attire is the COSRA uniform. The date for the inauguration at Ss Peter and Paul on August 16 has been rescheduled to a later
date to be announced in due course.
4. STATUS OF WEAK BRANCHES
AWD: Weak branches are paired up with ‘stronger’ ones to help them grow. However,
it has been quite difficult to get the stronger branches to visit the weaker ones. The
Deanery Executives were asked to do the visitation themselves in order to get closer to the members.
AED: The interest of the Deanery is in maintaining members in the group than recruiting more members.
The Deanery has been zoned and monitored by paired Deanery Executive. These zones have inter-zone activities. The house asked
AED to pay more attention on the Adenta branch.
5. EVALUATION OF LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
The programme was said to have been successful. Deaneries were asked whether the branches
that were not present are paying the participation fee of GH¢24?
AWD: Holy Spirit Cathedral COSRA has made part payment and will pay the rest later. The other
branches have been informed and will pay in due course.
AED: The Deanery was not pleased with the Archdiocese for going ahead with the programme knowing
that the Deanery had a programme. The Chairman reminded them that the programme was by representation. After a heated long
debate it was agreed that branches who did not attend in AED pay GH¢12 each after
the house rejected a GH¢ 10 proposal by the Deanery.
6. ARCHDIOCESAN FUNDRAISING (Host- AWD)
Bro. Daniel Tornyigah gave the report on behalf of the committee. Activities for the day
will include bursting of balloons, imprisoning of Presidents, among others. Target for the event will be GH¢ 1,500.00.
Members were not enthused about the report and asked AWD to sit up and do a proper work.
The Archdiocesan Executives were asked to step in and re-adjust the committee for a successful programme. The other Deaneries
were also asked to support the host with ideas.
7. CLEAN UP
Schedules for clean up at the youth formation centre is as below:
o
AWD - 1st Saturday
in September
o
AED - No date yet
o
TBD - No date yet
8. LAND
The Chairman informed the house that six (6) plots of land have been given to us by the Archbishop
of Accra. She wanted members to go to the site but because of the non availability of transport, it could not happen.
She called on members to ensure that the land project levy is paid by all members to enable
us start something on the land.
9. A.O.B
National President: He called on the Archdiocese and Deaneries to draw up next year’s
programme on time since National COSRAs programme will be out by close of the year 2009. He also entreated members to be more
responsive to time.
On the 2010 national congress, the National President said no Local Organizing Committee
(L.O.C) will be needed since most of the Committee members are in. Accra.
He called on the Deaneries to submit proposals of amendments of the constitution to the Archdiocese for onward submission
to the national secretariat.
Chairman: She reminded members to collect the Sowutoum envelops from their branches and submit them
to the Archdiocese by the end of August 2009.
She was grateful to members for making time for the meeting and called on Deanery leaders
to inform the branch heads that there will be a Presidential Assembly after the National games. She wished all Deaneries well
as we go to Kumasi to compete in a fair manner.
Other Programmes
August 13-16: Accra Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Council’s Annual General Council Meeting
at the Catholic Youth Formation Centre. Lashibi. Deaneries are to present a member each for the meeting.
A silver collection yielded GH¢12.70
9. CLOSURE
The meeting was moved to a close by Bro Daniel Tornyigah and seconded by Sis. Linda Obeng-Manu.
A prayer was led by Bro Charles Boamah at about 13:58 pm.
RECORDED
BY
APPROVED BY
STEPHEN NABARESEH
DZIFA ANKU
SECRETARY
PRESIDENT
