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Journey of Hope: NABOCADO Welcomes CRS Delegation

November 22, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Most Rev. Brendan Cahill, Bishop of Victoria, Texas, a board member of CRS, and a delegation of senior leadership from CRS have completed a three-day visit to the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese as part of the “Journey of Hope” initiative. This visit aimed to highlight the fruitful collaboration between NABOCADO and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in implementing meaningful interventions that benefit local communities.

The delegation, accompanied by NABOCADO staff, visited various intervention sites, including the Tarikom Asylum Seekers Reception and Settlement Center, where they saw firsthand the positive changes brought about by their joint efforts.

At the center, the delegation interacted with asylum seekers, who shared their inspiring stories about how NABOCADO and CRS initiatives, particularly the CRS EMPOWER project’s Multipurpose Cash Assistance program, have significantly improved their lives since arriving. The visit also included a tour of a local primary school that has been beautifully renovated thanks to the support from both organizations, highlighting the tangible impact of their collaboration on education and community well-being.
On the second day, the team visited project sites in the North East region, engaging with farmers to discuss the positive effects of the interventions in their lives.

The delegation included Sarita Hanley, Founding Member of Building One Community and Member of the CRS Foundation Board; Shannon Senefeld, Senior Vice President of Overseas Operations; Sofia Larkin, CRS Regional Development Director for Texas and Member of the Hispanic Development Unit; Rebekah Lemke, CRS Deputy Content Director for Multimedia for Charitable Giving; and Laura Elizabeth Pohl, CRS Multimedia Editor. They were accompanied by the Regional Director for CRS West Africa, Jennifer Overton.

The “Journey of Hope” emphasizes the vital role of partnerships in fostering community development, and both NABOCADO and CRS are committed to continuing their collaboration to create more opportunities for support and growth in the future.

JourneyOfHope #NABOCADO #CRS #CommunityImpact #LifeChangingProjects

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Ensuring sustainable farming: NABOCADO to establish farmer training Institute

August 6, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

There are plans for the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO), a faith-based organisation, to establish a Farmer Training School in the Diocese.

The school, dubbed “Institute for Sustainable Farming”, will serve as a training ground for people interested in farming and have passion in farm enterprises and businesses to enrich their knowledge with practical skills in the agriculture production value chain.

The school intends, among other things, to empower the people to view farming as a business, create jobs for themselves and others as well as contribute to adapt to climate change impacts and enhance food security, improve livelihoods of rural communities and ensure sustainable farming practices.

Mr Dominic Avea, Director in charge of Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate of NABOCADO, made these known on the sidelines of a training workshop organised by NABOCADO for selected youth farmers within the Diocese.

The Diocese comprise two regions, thus, Upper East and North East Regions, providing 30 beneficiaries in practical training in pig and catfish farming as part of a project dubbed “Ghana, Germany and Uganda partnership cooperation programme”, being implemented by NABOCADO in collaboration with the Caritas of Uganda and Germany.

The pilot project also comprised of exchange learning visits of the beneficiaries to partner organisations and countries to help the youth gain practical knowledge and skills in the agriculture value chain.
Mr Avea explained that the training was a pilot and the results from it would inform future training and planning.

Speaking at the opening of the five day training on piggery at Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District, The Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, said the project sought to empower young people with practical skills to venture into agriculture activities particularly piggery and catfish farming.

The Bishop said the increasing rate of unemployment was creating frustration among young people and there was the need to complement government’s efforts to provide alternative employment opportunities for the people.

“The project seeks to address the fundamental problem of unemployment in Ghana but at the same time we are ensuring that the young people live dignified lives and so we appeal to the government and other partners, including the private sector to create more opportunities for young people to empower them economically,” he said.

Dr Joseph Bangu, Director of Good Governance, Justice and Peace, NABOCADO, said the Catholic Church was not only concerned about the spiritual growth of the people but was leveraging opportunities to empower communities socially, economically and politically.
He said over the years the Church, through NABOCADO had provided education, health, livelihood and peace interventions to many hard-to-reach communities within the Diocese and called for collective efforts to improve living standards of vulnerable people.

The beneficiaries thanked NABOCADO and its partners for the intervention and noted that it would help them to improve production and pledged to train their colleagues in their communities for the project to achieve maximum impact.

Source: GNA

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

NABOCADO Staff receive capacity building in Fundraising and Communication.

July 22, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Staff of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization, NABOCADO have received capacity building in fundraising and Communications in emergency response and project implementation.

This a continuation of our partnership with CRS EMPOWER WARO with a five-day capacity building for our staff in two critical areas of our operations- Resource Mobilization and Communication.

The training which held under the EMPOWER WARO funded “Empowering Partner Organizations Working in Emergency Response” (EMPOWER) project seeks to equip
NABOCADO with skills and strategic expertise in Resource Mobilization and Strategic Communication.

Under the facilitation of Nanette GENDRY, Regional Communications Manager at CRS WARO and Astrid AGOSSOU
Business Development Technical Advisor for CRS EMPOWER WARO, NABOCADO will design a Communication Strategy Workplan which will help in our stakeholder and partner engagements.

Topics discussed included proposal writing, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, photography among others.

Story and Photos by : Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

SCRAS Project: NABOCADO drives Tree planting in Communities.

July 22, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

As part of the implementation of the Community Climate Adaptation Actions Plans (CAAPs), NABOCADO is facilitating the acquisition and distribution of Tree Seedlings to communities under the Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers Resilience Against Climate Change (SCRAS) project funded by Misereor of Germany.

This forms part of community-led actions toward creating a more sustainable and resilient environment.

We are grateful for the support of the various districts Forestry Department for their partnership and the dedication of the communities in taking action to address climate change. Together, we can make a difference and create a better future for all.

#ClimateAction #TreePlanting #CommunityAdvocacy #SCRASProject #NABOCADO #Misereor

Story and Photos by : Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

EMPOWER Project: CRS WARO Trains NABOCADO Staff on Emergency Response Preparedness.

July 1, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem3 Comments

Selected Staff of NABOCADO have been through a five-day capacity building workshop on Emergency Response Preparedness.

The training which forms part of the Empowering Partner Organizations Working in Emergency Response, EMPOWER project funded by CRS EMPOWER West Africa Regional Office (WARO), aims to build staff and the NABOCADO’s capacity in planning and execution of emergency activities.

Staff are also leveraging the knowledge gained from the training in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines on emergency response which will help NABOCADO improve its Coordination, Communication, MEAL, among other critical areas.

Making a statement to open the session on Monday, 24th June 2024 in Bolgatanga, the Human Development Coordinator of NABOCADO, Dr Joseph Ayembilla urged staff to participate effectively and attentively in all activities of the training.

He said “ This is another important and critical training we are getting from the EMPOWER project. I am very pleased with trainings that CRS have facilitated and I believe it will go a long way to ensure we do our work in emergencies situations with appropriate care and professionalism.”

The workshop is being facilitated by Madgestan Ngueadoum, Advisor on Programme Quality at CRS West Africa Regional Office, WARO and supported by Akanpabadai Timothy Amang-bey, CRS-GHANA head of Ofice, Tamale.

Bishop Agyenta pledges support of Catholic to New Upper East Regional Minister.

June 21, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem1 Comment

The Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, has assured the newly appointed Upper East Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih, of his unflinching support in ensuring the development, peace, and security of the region.

During a courtesy call on Friday, 24th May 2024 at the Catholic Bishop Secretariat in Bolgatanga, His Lordship Agyenta stated that the Catholic Church and his office will continue to support all government efforts in education, health, livelihood empowerment, peace, and security.

“We will continue to collaborate and will not hesitate to reach out to the minister and all other stakeholders to partner on common issues for solutions,” the Bishop said.

He emphasized the Church’s commitment to working with the minister and continuing the collaboration that was established with his predecessor. “The collaboration that we gave to your predecessor, we will do same with you. You have heard the various interventions that we are doing. We are looking forward to collaborating a little more. We have always made it clear that our doors are open and if there is anything, we will reach out to you.” He stated.

The courtesy call, which took place at the Diocesan Secretariat, allowed the two leaders to discuss pertinent issues concerning the development of the Upper East Region, including peace and security. The Bishop expressed his enthusiasm and readiness to help tackle the protracted ethnic and chieftaincy disputes that have plagued the region.

In response, the newly transferred Upper East Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih, praised the Catholic Church for its decades of assistance to governments and communities, particularly in health and education for rural communities.

He highlighted the Bishop and the Catholic Church in the region he will rely on to fulfill his mandate as minister.
“Coming to the Upper East region, the Bishop is one of the people that I am relying upon to be able to discharge the mandate given to me by the President,” Salih said. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the Catholic Church to human resource development and expressed his commitment to improving the relationship between the Church and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council.

EMPOWER project: CRS Train NABOCADO Staff on Safe and Dignified Programming in emergency Services

May 16, 2024By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Ghana has launched a three-day training program for the staff of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO) in Safe and Dignified Programming in emergency and humanitarian response services.

The workshop is part activities of the Empowering Partners Organizations in Emergency Response (RMPOWER) project, designed to enhance the partner organizations’ capacity in implementing effective emergency relief services.

Dr. Ayembilla Joseph, the Human Development Coordinator at NABOCADO, welcomed participants to the session and expressed his enthusiasm for the EMPOWER project. He emphasized the importance of taking the initiative and activities seriously, as they will help develop the potential and skills of the staff in delivering humanitarian assistance, a crucial aspect of NABOCADO’s work.

“I urge all of us to be fully focused and attentive to the information being shared with us. EMPOWER aims to enhance our capacities as individuals and as an organization, and CRS is committed to supporting us in achieving that goal,” Dr. Joseph stated.

Melissa Roggero, the Technical Advisor for Safe and Dignified Programming at the Humanitarian Unit of CRS, emphasized the significance of Safe and Dignified programming for organizations in implementing emergency and humanitarian services.

She noted, “I have observed that donor organizations are increasingly prioritizing Safe and Dignified programming in their proposals review and criteria. In the future, it may become a requirement for many donor agencies in funding and proposal acceptance.”

The first session of the workshop focused on Analysis, Targeting, Diversity of Needs, Information Sharing, and Community Engagement and Participation, providing participants with valuable insights and skills for their humanitarian work.

NABOCADO facilitates Exchange Learning meeting for SILC Groups from Three Districts

February 19, 2024By admin0 comment

Over 50 women from the Builsa North and Nabdam districts of the Navrongo- Bolgatanga Catholic diocese have successfully participated in an exchange learning meeting held in Bomgo-Soe.

The women were selected from farmers and Shea Butter producing groups who practice the Savings and Internal Lending Concept, SILC formed under the Strengthening of Smallholder Farmer’s Resilience towards a changing Climate ( SCRAS) program which is funded by Misereor of Germany and implemented in 16 communities by NABOCADO.

The meeting was to provide a common platform for inter-group interaction, knowledge sharing, and networking among the SILC groups across the various districts.

Having been established in 2012, and transitioned steadily into a nationally recognized Shea Butter producing and SILC group, the Bongo-Soe Tanmolga Asongtaaba Women group served as host to the traveling groups and shared learning experiences through presentations on Conflict Management, SILC funds management, Leadership, and Shea Butter processing and marketing.

Through the Savings and Internal Learning Concept, SILC, rural farmers, and Shea butter processors continue to practice local savings and loan schemes where they collectively save profits from product sales and also lend to themselves to reinvest and grow their trade.

The Exchange learning meeting was facilitated by the Gender Coordinator of NABOCADO, Patience Akankpanab, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Michael Ayamga, and our district officers of Bongo, Nabdam, and Builsa North.

NABOCADO, CRS Ghana launch COVID-19 Emergency Responds Project, CERP in Bolgatangav

February 19, 2024By admin0 comment

Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization, NABOCADO in collaboration with the CRS Ghana, has launched the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Project, CERP, at the Bolgatanga Catholic Social Center in the Upper Region of Ghana.

The project sponsored by OSPREY Foundation was developed by the Catholic Health Service of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, CHS-NaBoD with technical assistance from CRS and mainly geared towards promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in the two underserved regions of Upper East and North-East.

In his welcome address, the Livelihood Coordinator of NABOCADO, Dr. Joseph Ayembila expressed gratitude to OSPREY Foundation for the funding support and underscored the need for stronger collaboration between stakeholders to bring down COVID-19 infections to zero in the two regions.

On his part, the Country Representative of CRS Ghana, Daniel Mumuni said CRS Ghana will continue to partner with NABOCADO and the organizations to deliver development.

” Through our local Leadership agenda, CRS as an international organization is positioning itself to build institutional capacity of partner organizations to respond appropriately to the development needs of the people they served in marginalized communities”.

In attendance were Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, President of Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Dituudini Adiana Ayagitam III, Country Representative of CRS Ghana, Daniel Mumuni, Human Development Coordinator of NABOCADO, Dr. Joseph Ayembila, District Chief Executives, Regional and District Health Directors from Upper East and North-East Region, Health Workers, Education services workers among others.

One pickup truck and six Apsonic Motorcycles purchased for the Project were presented to the Catholic Health Service of NABOCADO. See the still images below.

CRS Holds Workshop for NABOCADO, NADMO Staff on Sahel Coastal Crisis Emergency Project

February 19, 2024By admin0 comment

The Catholic Relief Services, CRS has held a one-day start-up training workshop for staff of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization, NABOCADO and the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, on planned relief services in the wake of increasing crossings of displaced persons from Burkina Faso into Ghana.

The training is geared towards the implementing planned activities under a project dubbed the Sahel Coastal Crisis Emergency Response Project.

As part of efforts to mitigate the plight of over 3,000 displaced persons, CRS has secured a USD100,000 support fund from the William J. and Dorothy K O’Neil Foundation to continue with relief services in the Upper East region of Ghana.

The project follows emergency response donations by CRS and NABOCADO in December 2022, as protracted attacks on their villages by armed militants groups have led to Burkinabes crossing into Bawku, Binduri, and Bawku West Districts in small groups daily.

The Sahel Coastal Crisis Emergency Response project according to a presentation by the Head of Office at CRS in Tamale, Akanpabadai Timothy Amang-bey seeks to mainly provide registered refugees with Cash for Food, improved Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services by building 30 toilets units as well as identify and register new persons for future support.

To increase understanding of both staff and key partners on Sahel Coastal Crisis Emergency Response project strategic direction, strategies and interventions, compliance requirements, and project roles and coordination mechanisms
To Identify roles and responsibilities and build necessary partnerships for the smooth implementation of the Sahel Coastal Crisis
Emergency Response project.
To work with partners to develop Detailed Implementation Planning (DIP) of the Sahel Coastal Crisis Response Project with realistic timelines and budgets.
To discuss logistical requirements and arrangements, and ensure staff and partners are well informed about the Project’s strategy and way forward.

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