Tamale: The Tamale East Region of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, a Catholic friendly society, has organized its second regional conference to take stock of its activities. It was themed, 'Marshallans as Pilgrims of Hope: Reflections in a Jubilee Year Towards a Century of Service to the Church.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Worthy Brother Thomas Azuure, the outgoing Regional Grand Knight, stated during the opening ceremony in Tamale that the conference is held annually by all regions of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall under the guidance of Regional Grand Knights and Regional Noble Ladies. It provides an opportunity for participants, referred to as Brothers and Sisters, to reflect on a chosen theme. This year's theme aimed to inspire the members to contemplate the jubilee year declared by Pope Francis and to renew their spiritual journeys as pilgrims of hope.
Very Reverend Father Hilary Pogbeyir, Vicar General of the Tamale Archdiocese, representing Most Reverend Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, called on Catholic societies to deliver signs of hope to the impoverished and sick, who often lack life's essentials. He emphasized the Christian duty to care for the poor and urged the wealthy to be generous and mindful of the needy.
Sir Knight Brother Sir Professor Elias N. K. Sowley, who chaired the occasion, encouraged Christians to love their neighbors and assist those in distress. In a message to participants, the Supreme Knight, Sir Knight Brother Richard Ayih-Akakpo, and the Grand Lady Most Respected Lady Sister Patricia Dunenye advised members to support God's work as disciples and missionaries to strengthen the Catholic Church.
The three-day conference was hosted by Council 153 (Male Branch) and Court 149 (Female Branch) affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish, Tamale, and included participants from Council 27 and Court 12, Tamale, Council 146 Saboba, and Court 173 Lamashegu. The Supreme Council, the governing body of the Knights of Marshall, was represented by Sir Knight Brother Dr. Paul Ntodi and Worthy Brother Wisdom Kumah. The Grand Court, representing the Ladies of Marshall, was represented by Most Respected Lady Sister Clare Baneong-Yakubo and Respected Lady Sister Barbara Adisa Dickens.
During the event, Worthy Brother John Issah Alhassan and Respected Lady Sister Monica Ekekpi were installed as the new Regional Grand Knight and Regional Noble Lady, respectively, to lead the Tamale East Region from 2025 to 2027. The conference concluded with a Mass at Sacred Heart Parish.
The Knights of Marshall was established in Sekondi in November 1926, while its female wing, the Ladies of Marshall, was founded in Kumasi in December 1969. The Knights and Ladies of Marshall operate in most Catholic Dioceses in Ghana, with branches in Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and the UK.
