In late June, a small group from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Newport Beach, California, traveled over 7,000 miles to northern Ghana—not for a vacation, but to witness the opening of a new chapter in life-saving care for mothers and children.
Their destination: Kasingo, a rural community near Bolgatanga. Their mission: to dedicate and celebrate the opening of a new maternity clinic—a facility that will serve approximately 30,000 people in the Bolgatanga–Navrongo region, many of whom previously had limited access to maternal healthcare.
The journey began in Accra, Ghana’s bustling capital city. There, the group spent two days immersing themselves in the country's vibrant history and culture. They visited iconic landmarks like Black Star Square, Heritage Christian University, Ghana’s government buildings, and the solemn but powerful Cape Coast and Elmina castles, which bear witness to the country’s painful legacy in the transatlantic slave trade. The group also navigated lively Ghanaian markets and a coastal fish market, experiencing firsthand the energy and resilience of daily life in Ghana.
Their lodging in Cape Coast was at the Jesuit Center, a peaceful setting for reflection and community. While in Accra, the group also had the opportunity to meet Ghana’s Attorney General, a symbolic bridge between faith and governance.
On June 25, the team flew to Tamale and then embarked on a road journey to Bolgatanga. The road was paved but challenging—marked by deep potholes, frequent speed bumps in small villages, and multiple police checkpoints, offering a window into the infrastructure challenges of rural Ghana.
In Bolgatanga, the group stayed at a modern hotel with Western amenities, a welcome respite after long days of travel and ministry. Their Ghanaian priest, Fr. Gabriel, who serves at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, stayed with his family nearby—returning home to the community where he was raised.
On June 30, under a hot northern sky, the Kasingo Maternity Clinic was formally dedicated and blessed by Bishop Alfred Agyenta of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese. It was a powerful and emotional ceremony, marking the fulfillment of a mission made possible through the generosity of the Newport Beach parish.
Three baby boys were born July 23 at the clinic, the true fruition of support from the parish and culmination of a long-term objective by Catholic Health System in Upper East province to provide maternity care.
The clinic represents more than a building—it is a promise of safety and dignity for mothers, babies, and families in a region where such care has often been out of reach. “For too many women, childbirth has been a matter of life and death,” said Fr. Gabriel. “This clinic changes that.”
The group shared several meals and heartfelt conversations with Bishop Agyenta during their stay, strengthening ties between the diocese and the California parish. They also had the unique opportunity to attend a centennial Mass at the Navrongo Cathedral, celebrating 100 years of Catholic presence in the region. Later, they celebrated a Mass at Fr. Gabriel’s village parish, a deeply moving experience of faith returning home.
The delegation returned to California in early July, but the memory of the people, the place, and the purpose remain alive in their hearts.
“We came to dedicate a clinic,” one traveler reflected, “but we were also part of something larger—a communion of faith, service, and shared humanity that crosses borders.”
