The Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezome Angkyier, the Bishop of Damongo Diocese in the Savannah Region of Ghana, has blessed and handed over a brand-new 14-seater bus donated by Missio Aachen to the Religious Women Council (RWC) of the Damongo Diocese to mark a significant milestone for the Union.
Blessing the bus on March 14, 2025, the Bishop prayed for safety and soundness for the activities of the Sisters who would be using the vehicle. 
He officially handed over the bus to the Sisters in attendance, who represented the entire Union, and exhorted them to take good care of it so that it served its intended purpose.
Sr. Lydia Berewono, SMI, who received the bus on behalf of RWC, appreciated the generous donors, the Bishop of the Diocese, and the Diocesan Secretariat for their kind support. 
She pledged on behalf of the Council to utilize the bus for its intended purpose, serving the Sisters’ community and the broader Diocesan family, while adhering to the established guidelines governing its use.
The RWC comprises religious women from various Congregations serving in the Diocese. Given the vast and scattered nature of the Diocese, with parishes located far and wide, the Sisters have long recognized the importance of group mobility. This has become particularly crucial for their programmes and activities, which often require traveling to different locations.
For years, the RWC had been longing for a reliable means of transportation to facilitate their collective movements and activities. The acquisition of the new bus is a dream come true, and it will undoubtedly enhance their mobility, coordination, and overall ministry within the Diocese.
The realization of this long-held dream was initially pursued by past RWC leadership in the Diocese, but despite numerous attempts to secure funding through the Diocesan secretariat, it remained elusive.
However, under the dynamic leadership of Sr. Lydia Berewono (SMI), the current RWC leadership reinvigorated the effort, crafting a compelling project proposal to submit to Missio Aachen. This initiative received steadfast support from Rev. Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersuur, the Diocesan Project Coordinator, and ultimately gained approval from Bishop Angkyier.
The Damongo Diocese is home to five different Women Religious Congregations of women, namely: Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI), Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM), Notre Dame de l’Eglise (NDE), Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), and Medical Mission Sisters (MMS).
Collectively, these congregations have a presence in eight of the Diocese’s thirteen parishes, where they engage in various ministries and serve the local communities.
The Sisters in the Damongo Diocese are actively engaged in various missionary endeavors, aligning with the Church’s mission to serve humanity.
Their apostolates span across three key areas, the first being healthcare, where the sisters provide medical care and services through St. Anne’s Hospital, Damongo; Three polyclinics in three parishes (Bole, Tinga and Kulmsa) and One health center in one parish (Nakwabi and Sawla).
In Education, the Sisters are dedicated to educating the young minds in Senior High Schools and Basic Schools, while in Pastoral Apostolate, they are passionately involved in various pastoral activities, including Catechism instruction, Communion services at outstations and institutions, animating women’s groups, youth apostolate, and home visitations.
Through these multifaceted ministries, the Sisters embody the Church’s mission to serve, educate, and evangelise.
Despite their demanding schedules, the Sisters prioritize their spiritual growth, social bonding, and emotional well-being by organizing a range of activities throughout the year. These include Recollections and spiritual retreats, Workshops on relevant topics, such as leadership, self-care, and ministry skills, Excursions to places of interest, both within and outside the Diocese, providing opportunities for relaxation, team-building, and cultural enrichment.
These activities, carefully planned and integrated into their yearly programme, enable the sisters to recharge, refocus, and renew their commitment to their ministries, while also fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
By: Sr. Juliana A. Atuuna SMI (Sister Communicator)
