Nabocado – NABOCADO

18-Year-Old American Youth Donates 25 Beds and Relief Items to Burkinabe Refugees at Tarikom

February 27, 2026By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Joey Schoene and the Tarikom refugee community celebrate together during his donation visit.

NABOCADO is delighted to share an inspiring act of compassion from 18-year-old American youth, Joey Schoene, who has donated 25 wooden beds with mattresses, food and other items to Burkinabe refugees at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

Joey first encountered the challenges faced by refugees during a visit with other youth from the USA to the Diocese in August 2025 facilitated by CRS. Moved by the living conditions of refugees, he returned home and initiated a personal fundraising effort integrated into his senior year high school project — to support the sleeping conditions of the refugees.

Joey Schoene waves warmly as he arrives at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

This week, Joey returned to Ghana with his father, Michael, and with coordination from NABOCADO and CRS Ghana, he presented the beds along with the following items to the refugees:

Items Donated

🛏️ 25 wooden beds with mattresses

🍚 42 bags of rice

🧂 Salt

🩹 Sanitary pads

⚽ Footballs

📚 Learning materials for Tarikom Primary School

Joey rolls up his sleeves to help carry donated items to the camp.

Joseph and his dad helping to nail some wood

Joey and his father Michael assist with assembling the wooden beds.

Joey spent nearly a week touring and supervising the construction and assembly of the beds, ensuring that the donation was done with care and dignity.

Refugees settle onto their new beds at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

At a time when the camp faces increased vulnerability after the withdrawal of support from UNHCR and other partners, Joey’s gesture brought renewed hope, dignity, and encouragement to the refugee community.

Joey shares a joyful moment playing football with a child at the camp.

We celebrate this extraordinary young leader for choosing kindness and solidarity with displaced families in need. We also appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders who made this possible.

A Message of Gratitude

Thank you, Joey — for reminding us that compassion knows no borders, and that one young person’s courage can change lives.

Tarikom Refugee Project Humanitarian Response Refugee Support CRS Ghana

Health

NABOCADO Trains Health Workers in IMNCI to Strengthen Child Health in Refugee Host Communities, Upper East Region

February 27, 2026By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Facilitator demonstrating with dummy baby

Dr. Gillian Bogee demonstrates newborn care techniques during the IMCI training.

The Health Programmes Directorate of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese Organization (NABOCADO) has concluded a three-day intensive training in Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) for Midwives and Community Health Nurses/Officers serving seven Burkinabe refugee host communities in Ghana’s Upper East Region.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Gillian Bogee, Newborn Care Focal Person for the Upper East Region and Emmanuel Zyaaba, a Pediatric Nurse Specialist at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Upper East Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga. It was designed to sharpen the competencies of frontline health workers in identifying, managing and preventing the leading causes of illness and death among children under five, equipping participants with practical, up-to-date guidance on the prompt detection and effective management of childhood diseases.

Participants practice newborn nursing techniques.

A participant demonstrates care techniques using a training dummy.

The exercise forms part of the Collaborative Child Health Initiative for Life-saving and Development (CHILD) Project, which aims to reduce the incidence of childhood illness (pneumonia, diarrhoea, anaemia, and malaria) among children under five within the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese. The project also seeks to strengthen support services for child health and nutrition across the Bawku West, Binduri and Nabdam Districts.

Funding for the initiative is provided by Kindermissionswerk of Germany, with interventions targeting children under five and their caregivers in the refugee host communities.

“IMCI is essential for equipping health professionals with the skills needed to manage childhood illnesses in under-resourced settings and prevent life-threatening complications among children under five.”

— Sebastian Tule, Health Programmes Coordinator, NABOCADO

NABOCADO Health Director talking to participants

Sebastian Tule, Health Programmes Coordinator, addresses participants at the opening session of the training.

Speaking at the opening session on behalf of NABOCADO’s Executive Director, Dr. Joseph Bangu, Health Programmes Coordinator Sebastian Tule underscored the critical role of IMCI in frontline healthcare delivery.

The Bawku West District Director of Health Services, in a welcome address to participants and the training team, urged all in attendance to approach the exercise with the seriousness it deserved, stressing that their commitment would have a direct bearing on health outcomes in the communities they serve.

“Take this training seriously and build your capacities. Your active participation will help the project succeed and significantly improve health delivery for all of us.”

— Bawku West District Director of Health Services

Participants engage in hands-on IMCI activities during the training.

Health workers exchange insights during group discussions.

Participants welcomed the training warmly, expressing confidence that the practical knowledge acquired would meaningfully strengthen the quality of child healthcare services delivered at the community level.

NABOCADO expressed appreciation to the facilitators, participants, partners and supporters whose dedication continues to drive efforts to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of children across the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese.

CHILD Project IMCI Training Child Health Upper East Region Kindermissionswerk

NABOCADO Inaugurates New 11-Member Governing Board

December 23, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Bishop Agyenta Inaugurates New NABOCADO Governing Board

The Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, on Friday, 19th December 2025 officially inaugurated a new 11-member Governing Board of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO) to guide the strategic direction and oversight of the organisation.

The new Board takes over from the Prof. David Millar–led Board, whose tenure over the past three years was marked by remarkable institutional growth and transformation. Under their leadership, NABOCADO developed and implemented several impactful organisational policies, expanded strategic partnerships, and attained nationwide recognition as a Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation worthy of learning and replication.

The outgoing Board also successfully steered NABOCADO through a comprehensive rebranding process, strengthened its visibility, and oversaw a smooth leadership transition from Dr. Joseph Ayembilla to Dr. Joseph Bangu as Executive Director.

At a short handing-over and swearing-in ceremony, Bishop Agyenta charged members of the new Board to see their appointment as a call to service to both the Church and the people of the Diocese.

“This role is an opportunity to serve the Church not only with your resources, but also with your time, talent, and professional expertise. I urge you to help strengthen NABOCADO so it can continue to create greater impact for the people we serve.”

— Bishop Alfred Agyenta

NABOCADO Governing Board

Mr. Thomas Awiapo – Chairman

Dr. Joseph Bangu – Executive Director, NABOCADO (Secretary)

Board Members

Ms. Edna Ivy Adabayeri, Esq.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Awiah

Dr. Helen Akolgo-Azupogo

Dr. Mary-Magdalene Pedavoah

Mr. Hilary Abii Asiah

Dr. Peter Anabire Asungre

Madam Alice Ellen Abeere-Inga

Rev. Fr. Joseph Aseyire Tabase

Special Advisor

Prof. David Millar

NABOCADO warmly welcomes the new Governing Board and looks forward to a collaborative partnership aimed at deepening development impact, strengthening accountability, and advancing the organisation’s mission of promoting human dignity, peace, and sustainable development across the Diocese.

Project Activity Updates

NABOCADO Facilitates Formation and Training of Neighborhood Watch Committees

September 4, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

NABOCADO – Neighborhood Watch Training Initiative

45

Volunteers Trained Across 3 Communities

NABOCADO has successfully facilitated the formation, screening, and training of three Neighborhood Watch Committees (NWCs) in collaboration with the Zebilla District Command of the Ghana Police Service. A total of 45 volunteers, 15 each from Agaago, Tilli, and Widnaba/Kokoo in the Bawku West District, participated in this important training.

Training participants or group photo from the Neighborhood Watch Committee training

This initiative is part of the PEACE-PROTECT project, funded by the European Union and implemented by COGINTA Ghana, using community policing strategy to empower communities in fighting against violent extremism.

The training, facilitated by the District Commander of Police, Zebilla, took participants through comprehensive modules including the concept of neighborhood watch, types of crime, crime detection, reporting procedures, observational skills, teamwork, collaboration and the DON’TS of NWC operations.

District Commander of Police facilitating the training session

“If your work succeeds, we will have grounds to expand it to other areas” – District Chief Executive

The District Chief Executive, who opened and closed the training session, expressed his gratitude to NABOCADO and COGINTA Ghana for their commitment to promoting peace in the Bawku West District. He indicated that his doors are open for future collaborations and appealed to the participants to take the concept of securing their communities seriously.

District Chief Executive addressing the participants

           Key Training Modules Covered:
           Concept of neighborhood watch
Types of crime and detection methods
Proper reporting procedures
Observational skills development
Teamwork and collaboration strategies
Guidelines and restrictions for NWC operations

       

In his closing remarks, the M&E Officer of COGINTA Ghana who observed the training emphasized that while it is the duty of the Ghana Police Service to ensure security, their numbers and other challenges require public support, especially in border communities. He entreated all participants to embrace the NWC concept to protect the peace currently being enjoyed.

M&E Officer from COGINTA Ghana during closing remarks

Next Steps: Inauguration ceremonies for the Neighborhood Watch Committees will be conducted in the target communities in due course.

Together, we are building safer communities!
And ensuring social justice for all.

#NABOCADO #NeighbourhoodWatch #CommunitySafety #COGINTAGhana #PeaceProtectProject

Project Activity Updates

Local Innovation: How Abodaah Amogiusine is Transforming Farming in Nabango.

September 9, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Abodaah’s Story

At 62 years old, Abodaah Amogiusine, a smallholder farmer from Nabango in the Kasena Nankana West District, is proving that resilience and innovation are at the heart of sustainable agriculture.

Abodaah Amogiusine on her groundnut farm

Through her participation in the SCRAS Project (Strengthening Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience Against a Changing Climate and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture), funded by Misereor of Germany and implemented by NABOCADO, Abodaah has developed her own local farming innovation: she applies ash (locally called “nakiah”) from kitchen wood to her groundnut farm. This simple yet effective method helps improve soil moisture retention and contributes to better yields.

Abodaah demonstrating her ash application technique

In addition to this practice, Abodaah also applies other sustainable agriculture techniques promoted under the project, such as cereal-legume intercropping and the use of self-made compost.

This farming season, Abodaah is delighted with the results on her 1.5-acre groundnut field, cultivated with technical support from NABOCADO project officers. Her innovation is a clear example of the project’s objective of empowering rural farmers to reduce dependency on chemical inputs by adopting and intensifying sustainable agricultural practices.

Results of Abodaah's sustainable farming practices

The ultimate goal of the SCRAS Project is to ensure that rural households increase food security and nutrition diversity, while building resilience to climate change. When farmers like Abodaah adopt local innovations, apply improved knowledge, and achieve better yields, they contribute to global efforts to eliminate hunger and poverty while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action

Abodaah’s story is a powerful reminder that solutions to global challenges often begin with local innovation.

Bishop Agyenta marks World Day of the Sick at St. Theresa Health Center.

June 19, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Zorko – On Friday, June 13, 2025, Bishop Alfred Agyenta joined staff from NABOCADO and the Catholic Health Trust to commemorate this year’s World Day of the Sick at the St. Theresa Health Center in Zorko.

The 33rd celebration of this significant day, which began on February 11 under the theme “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5), featured a variety of activities including health screenings, home visits, and health education on selected diseases, culminating in a prayer mass and a durbar.

In his message to the church community and healthcare staff, Bishop Agyenta emphasized the importance of compassion for the sick, highlighting it as the essence of the day. “We must be sensitive to the plight of the sick and suffering,” he urged. “As healthcare providers, you have the opportunity to be a source of hope and healing.”

Dr. Joseph Bangu, Executive Director of NABOCADO, echoed the Bishop’s sentiments in his address, calling for professionalism and improved standards in healthcare services among hospitals and their staff, particularly those affiliated with the Catholic Church. “We must strive for excellence in the care we provide,” he stated.

The World Day of the Sick serves as an awareness day in the Catholic Church, intended for “prayer and sharing, offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church, and reminding everyone to see in their sick brother or sister the face of Christ.” Instituted by Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1992, the day is celebrated annually on February 11, coinciding with the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Mass and gathering during World Day of the Sick

The event also honored the dedication of staff and management from Catholic health facilities in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga with awards for their outstanding contributions to healthcare services.

Project Activity Updates

PROSSFA PROJECT TRAIN NABOCADO STAFF ON INTEGRATED VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Our dedicated staff recently completed a two-day training on integrated vegetable production, aimed at empowering youth farmers through the Professionalization of Small-Scale Farmers (PROSSFA) Project in the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese.

This initiative, part of a partnership program between Ghana, Germany, and Uganda, focuses on equipping young farmers with the skills to integrate pig farming, fish farming, and vegetable production into a professional agribusiness framework. So far, we’ve trained 30 youth in pig and fish farming, and 13 participants, including staff, had the opportunity to learn in Uganda last October. NABOCADO is committed to building the capacity of youth to create sustainable jobs and livelihoods in agriculture!

#youthinagriculture #sustainablefarming #nabocado

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

FARMERS PARTICIPATE IN EXCHANGE LEARNING TO BONGO DISTRICT

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Exciting few days in Bongo District! Our team, led by Albert Avoka and Solomon AJongba, facilitated inspiring exchange learning visits for selected farmers from Buterisa and Mirigu communities to Kabre. During the visit, farmers in Kabre shared valuable insights on indigenous and sustainable farming practices with their peers from Builsa South and the Kassena-Nankana districts respectively.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

Bishop Agyenta Commissions New Child and Maternity Centre in Wiaga

June 11, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Wiaga, Builsa North District – On Saturday, June 7th, Bishop Alfred Agyenta presided over the commissioning of the newly completed Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe Child and Maternity Centre at St. Lucas Hospital in Wiaga.

The 48-bed facility was constructed by Sir Clement Akapame, a businessman and philanthropist and his family who pledged to build the centre five years ago in honor of the late Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe. Fr. Marneffe, a French Missionary, who is remembered for his lifelong dedication to serving God and the people of Wiaga, and for founding the Wiaga Hospital, which began as a small healthcare initiative.

Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe Child and Maternity Centre

In an address read on his by his wife on his behalf, Sir Akapame said the project was his family’s contribution to the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese “for the promotion of the health needs of the people of Wiaga and its surrounding towns.” Sir Akapame expressed his gratitude to God for making the execution of the project possible and to his wife and children for their encouragement.

During the inauguration, Bishop Agyenta praised Sir. Akapame for his generous contribution. “Sir. Akapame’s selfless dedication to the development of the Catholic Church is commendable. The Catholic Church’s mandate of offering spiritual guidance must also encompass meeting the physical needs of the community, including health, education, justice, and livelihood,” he stated.

Dr. Joseph Bangu, Executive Director of NABOCADO, also expressed gratitude to Mr. Akapame for his philanthropic efforts. “We urge the management of the facility to utilize this structure effectively,” he said. “I encourage the staff of the hospital to provide professional and competent services that align with the Catholic tradition of human dignity and respect.”

The Child and Maternity Centre is a 4 million Ghana Cedis project, featuring a 48-bed capacity and specialized medical sectors, including Newborn Intensive Care Units, labor and delivery rooms, laboratory facilities, and consulting rooms for two nurses’ stations.

This new centre aims to enhance healthcare services in the region, continuing the legacy of Fr. Marneffe and addressing the urgent health needs of mothers and children in the community.

Project Activity Updates

NABOCADO HOLDS SEED FAIRS IN 6 SCRAS PROJECT DISTRICTS

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem0 comment

Over the past weeks, our field officers have facilitated Seed Fairs in communities across 6 districts where the Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate of NABOCADO is implementing the SCRAS project.

The Seed fairs aim to increase farmers access to seeds especially indigenous and climate tolerant seeds. Farmers got the platforms to interact, exhibit their seeds for other farmers and stakeholders to see and acquire if needed. Farmers had the opportunity to interact with stakeholders in agriculture, and fellow farmers to also learn about the latest innovations in seed storage, usage and best practices for sustainable farming. The Seed Fairs chalked great successes, with many farmers leaving with new seeds and knowledge to help them improve their livelihoods and contribute to a more sustainable farming in their communities.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.