Serving in Ghana

A spirit of joy is truly prevalent at Blessed Trinity Leadership Academy.

Pauline Albin SL

The congregation of the Daughters of the Most Holy Trinity (FST) is a Ghanaian community founded 40 years ago to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the “poorest of the poor” in rural areas of the Kumasi diocese. In November 2009, with Loretto’s help, the FST sisters opened Blessed Trinity Leadership Academy in Kumasi with a pilot group of 11 students. Marie Ego SL said at the time, “This is a precious beginning for young minds so eager to read and learn.”

Today the Leadership Academy thrives, serving over 400 students. FST Sister Frances Emily Owusu Ansah, a Loretto co-member, explains, “The school is from creche to Junior High School, with day and boarding options. Several of the graduates from the school are now at universities in Ghana, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, pursuing varied disciplines in the arts and sciences. The positive impact from the school, through the quality foundational education given, is far reaching!”

Loretto’s service in Ghana began in the 1980s when Marie and Cathy Mueller SL traveled to Ghana on a teaching ministry. The very next year they returned. Marie would formally move to Ghana in 1989 and stay until 2005. Her education and training led her to work all over the country leading workshops in counseling skills, psychology and communication.

In 1993, Pauline Albin SL would also move to Ghana, serving in the Sunyani Diocese as a secondary school teacher. In addition, from 2000-2010, she served as vice chair of the Catechetical Commission of Ghana.

Over 20 Loretto Community members visited Ghana through the Loretto Africa Project started by Marie. As she has shared, “From the start, involvement of other Loretto members was crucial to Loretto’s mission in Ghana.” In keeping with Loretto’s teaching charism, many helped train teachers and counselors.

A sister community relationship developed between Loretto and the FST sisters during the years Marie and Pauline lived in the country. Today, the FST-Loretto Sister Community Committee for Ghana meets online to expand the relationship. On occasion, an FST sister visits the Loretto Motherhouse, which helps nurture the connection.

To read all the articles in the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Loretto Magazine, click here.