Retired ministers of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, say a free health screening programme instituted by the Lordina Foundation has become a lifeline, easing financial pressures and safeguarding their well-being in retirement.
More than 140 retired clergy and their spouses in the Greater Accra East and West were the latest beneficiaries of the exercise, which was held at the Ringway Gospel Centre. Participants underwent checks for diabetes, prostate health, Hepatitis B, cancers, and other critical conditions, and also received free medication.
Relieving the Church’s Burden
Church leaders emphasised that the initiative had gone beyond healthcare, lifting a major responsibility off the shoulders of the Assemblies of God.
“Since she started the free medical care, no retired minister has come to the office asking for support,” said Rev. Andrews Nelson Awintia, Greater Accra East Regional Superintendent of the church.
Rev. Dr. Harry Insaidoo, President of the Retired Ministers and Spouses Association, described the Foundation’s consistency as “invaluable,” noting that the quarterly screenings had provided dignity and reassurance to those who once laboured in service to God and country.
Foundation’s Broader Mission
Board member Dr. George Selorm Quarcoe explained that the Foundation’s emphasis on health and education reflects a belief that these are the “pillars upon which thriving communities are built.”
The screenings, introduced in November 2024 and held every quarter since, are the outcome of a pledge by Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama during a church event last year.
Retirees’ Relief and Gratitude
Participants expressed gratitude not only for the free consultation and drugs but also for the opportunity to undergo tests they might otherwise have postponed due to cost. Many retirees said the support had relieved them of anxieties over medical expenses and helped them focus on enjoying their later years.
“This programme is giving us peace of mind and longer life,” one elderly minister remarked after receiving his medication.
A Growing Tradition
What began as a pledge has now become a tradition, with retired clergy looking forward to each quarter’s screening as both a medical and communal event. Beyond treatment, it has given them renewed confidence that their decades of service to the church and society are not forgotten.
