About Ahotokurom

During the 1970s, American Fransicans established a Mission in Cape Coast and Br. Vincent Vivian became Chaplain to the Leprosarium. Supported by Sr. Peg Rahilly of the DMJ sisters, his dream of building a mission specifically for Ankaful Camp was approved in 1979, built with the labour of the people of the Camp and in 1983 opened as the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre. The DMJ sisters moved in to live at the heart of what became more commonly known as Ahotokurom (Place Of Serenity).

The Centre worked with leprosy sufferers and their families with rehabilitation as a principal focus. There was practical and personal help at Camp, special help to resettle families back in their home villages and specific nursing or other care in the family life of Ahotokurom. Others with disease, disadvantage or disability came to share in the charity that Ahotokurom afforded.

The DMJ sisters are assistant directors along with Mr Mark Mantey (pictured with his mother), who was born at Camp. His parents both suffered with leprosy. Mark shared the dream with Br. Vincent and helped construct Ahotokurom. He was greatly supported and encouraged by Br. Vincent and the sisters and has now undertaken much training, both in Ghana and in the UK, and is an inspiration and strength to his people.

In Ahotokurom there is:

• St. Clare's residential home with nursing care for up to 20 elderly people. To learn more about St Clare's click here
• Childcare - a residential facility for up to 22 children, many of whom are disabled. An outreach service also operates to train families in parenting skills and so on. To learn more about Childcare click here
• St. Elizabeth's Nursery and Infants School for 150 or so 3-6 year olds. They have the only special education unit in Ghana, so these students are obviously older.
• Medical Centre that is pioneering endorphin release therapy.
• Workshop - this unit provides sheltered employment for many from Camp who work alongside able-bodied workers in general maintenance, masonry, painting and carpentry. Some will "graduate" to full-time employment elsewhere.
• Ahotokurom has also offered support to those living in Camp. An infirmary provides basic medical care but a wider pastoral and social role has always been exercised too. Much encouragement, hope and personal support has been brought to these dis-spirited people over the years and has helped them, not just survive in times of drought or famine, but has given them a sense of community and self-worth.