As we approach the end of Lent 2025, we have an update on the Bishop’s 2023 Lent Appeal. Bishop John introduces Lesley Ann Hill’s report on her recent visit to the water filtration plant at St Nicholas’ Seminary, Cape Coast, Ghana, which the 2023 Appeal helped to fund:
“Thank you to everyone across the Diocese of Edinburgh who helped raise money for the water filtration plant at St Nicholas’ Seminary in Cape Coast, Ghana, as part of the 2023 Lent Appeal. One of our members, Lesley Ann Hill (from Old Saint Paul’s), has been in Ghana and I’m delighted to hear from her that the plant is in full swing. It is providing local people with clean water at a time when costs are rising for communities across Ghana.
“The plant is also a source of financial stability for the Seminary. St Nicholas’ is the only active Seminary in the Anglican Province of West Africa. Many Dioceses struggle to fund their clergy training, so this funding stream is vital to enable the continuing flow of priests and deacons. I hope that Lesley’s pictures and report will allow us all to celebrate all that has been achieved under the leadership of the Ven Joseph Bain-Doodu, Dean of the Seminary, and to pray for God’s blessing on the water filtration plant.”
Lesley writes:
As I was venturing forth to further my ongoing work on mental health and climate change projects in Ghana in March this year, I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit St Nicholas’ Seminary in Cape Coast which has a longstanding relationship with The Diocese of Edinburgh.
Prior to my trip I had a preparatory chat with Revd Nicki McNelly, Rector at St. Cuthbert’s and International Convenor for Edinburgh Diocese, and also Bishop John Armes, who then introduced me by email to the Dean of the seminary, the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Justice Bain-Doodu, so that my planned visit could take shape.
On my arrival in Cape Coast, Father Joseph came to meet and greet me and we agreed on 2 April for my visit to the seminary. I learned that the visit would include the formal unveiling of a plaque by way of thanks and praise for the support Edinburgh Diocese has provided in the setting up of a water bottling venture in the grounds of the seminary.
On my arrival Father Joseph introduced me to the Vice Dean: Venerable Dr. Joseph Otoo Ayeh, the Students Affairs Director: Rev. Fr. Bede Anumel, the Pastoral Director: Rev. Canon Jojo Eduam Entsiwah, the Teaching Assistant: Rev. Fr. Frank Entsi Williams, and the ordinands all beautifully robed in white, and ready with holy water and incense to bless the water plant and the work of hands. We gathered in a shady spot under the trees outside the water plant and a short service of prayers and hymns set the tone of thanks and praise.
I was then invited to follow the procession inside the water plant where all rooms, equipment and water storage tanks were blessed with holy water and incense, thus lending a special feel to the themes of the day: the work of hands, and the blessings of water.
The water processing room included a range of equipment whereby the water entered the building from the borehole outside and underwent various treatments, including reverse osmosis. This has been necessary due to the ground water being affected by being so near the sea; however, as more water comes through the system the levels of salt from the borehole lessens, so it is envisaged that this difficulty will reduce substantially and be overcome in time.
Currently the water is bagged up into handy-sized plastic sachets, and this way of selling and buying water is seen universally across Ghana, both on the streets by street sellers and in shops. While a local water plant engineer oversees the working of the plant, the ordinands help on occasion by packing the bagged water into boxes prior to their distribution to local selling points.
The seminary’s vision is to soon move on to bottling water too, as bottled water is widely used and very saleable with a higher return. Any profits from the water venture support the ongoing costs of St Nicholas, which like most organisations in Ghana currently are struggling greatly with rising costs of food, fuel etc.
Following the most interesting tour and blessing of the water plant, Joseph and I moved to our shared task of unveiling of the plaque which expressed thanks for the support of Edinburgh Diocese in facilitating the water bottling project.
My visit was rounded off perfectly by an invitation to join them all for their late afternoon Lent service, where I had the privilege of giving a short address. It was easy to continue the day’s reflection on the theme of the ‘work of hands’, both physically and metaphorically signifying ‘what we do’ in our work as Christians: there is always more our hands can do when God is in our head and hearts. Further reflection on love and distance emerged: though we may feel physically far in Edinburgh from Cape Coast, in partnership and love we are close and side by side, as love has no bounds. I was warmly thanked by the whole team, and as the seminarians come from across Ghana thanked me in their many local languages adding cultural dimensions as well as fun and joy to the ending to the service.
Following a pause for some cooling fruit juice and a chat about the work of the seminary with Father Joseph, it was a pleasure to be shown around the grounds and see the views to the lagoon and where the construction of a vegetable garden is in progress (already growing bananas and plantain!). The seminary ground beside the lagoon would also be an ideal spot for creating a small retreat where visitors could spend some days enjoying the peace of St Nicholas, the beauty of the lagoon amongst the trees, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
I extend many, many thanks to Father Joseph and all at St Nicholas, who made my visit so meaningful, reflective and joyful. Bless you all.
The Bishop’s 2025 Lent Appeal is for Abraham’s Children in Crisis. If you haven’t had the chance to donate, you can do so here.
