By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

The Collection

At the Parish Center, we have two collection boxes for Sunday Masses. I gave them to our carpenter to make nice covers but he cut the top too much so that the collection boxes became smaller. The parishioners were complaining and to cover up the mistake, I said gently, “It’s okay, I have been here in Kintampo for eleven years and I have been observing how much you put into the collection boxes. So I made them small for it is wasteful to have big collection boxes if they are never filled up.” They seemed satisfied through I did not notice any smile.

Coffee, Please

Here in Ghana especially among the Akans, each person is named after the day he or she is born on. For instance, Monday, born girl is called Adwoa; if a boy – Kwadwo. Tuesday born girl – Abena; if a boy – Kwadbena. Friday born girl is called Amma; if a boy – Kofi, etc. One time Sr. Leone Sabatu, SSpS, went o market in Sunyani, regional capital of Brongahafo. At the store she asked, “Please, I want coffee.” Then the salesman replied, “Sister, wait small,” and he rushed to call Kofi. Kofi said, I am Kofi. What do you want?” Sr. Leone started protesting in laughter, “No, no, I want coffee for drinking...” “Yes, I am Kofi and I sell coffee,” counteracted Mr. Kofi before giving the Nescafe to Sr. Leone.

Late vocation

While I was classifying the stones for the stone wall I was erecting to check the flood in front of our Church land in Kintampo, our school headmaster, of Badu-akora chanced upon me and complained, “My wife traveled to Nkoranza village and has not returned for two months now.” with the intentions of teasing him I replied nonchalantly, “Maybe she married another man,” Oh then I will be free; I’ll go for a late vacation,” he exclaimed contrary to my expectation.

The Hanging ‘Adidas’

Afraid that thieves might break-in to our house and take our firewood which was quite visible over the low walls of our garage, I hung several chicken legs to the ceiling of the garage. From that time on not a single child even came close to the garage. They were afraid because they believed there was juju in those chicken legs. Juju is an object believed to possess spiritual power that can harm anyone.

Tamao

Nicolas Anane of Soglebio, one of best villagers, wounded his left foot with his ax while cutting down trees for charcoal. The wound was so big that it had to be stitched at the hospital. For three days he was staying with me while recovering. In one of our conversations, I told him firmly, “Now the spirits of the trees are getting annoyed and taking their revenge because you had been cutting trees for charcoal.” When he went back to Sogleboi, he was able to convince the Chief to issue a decree condemning the charcoal business which is really making their land a desert.

V.I.P.

I informed the village of Asantekwa that I would visit them on Friday but on Monday I received a special invitation from the Kintampo District Executive that all heads of departments and churches should go and welcome President J.J. Rawlings at the Park on Friday of the opening of the National Forestry Week. Correcting the information I gave to Asantekwa, I wrote in the letter, “Please, I am sorry, I cannot come on Friday as I told you because President J.J. Rawlings would like to see me.”