BMC Turnover to GBC Ceremony
This week was a major milestone for the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu, Ghana. The hospital and its property were officially handed over from the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board to the Ghana Baptist Convention.
The hospital has been a partnership between IMB and GBC (then Foreign Mission Board and Gold Coast Baptist Convention) since its conception at the GBC’s 9th annual session in 1955. Over the decades that followed, the IMB has progressively turned over the reigns to the national leadership. For the last few years, the hospital has essentially been managed completely by the GBC.
IMB trustees voted to approve the handover earlier this summer in Richmond, Virginia. This week’s ceremony marked the final legal step in the turnover process as the lease on the land was transferred to GBC.
Before the ceremony a delegation from the IMB and GBC visited the Nayiri and nearly a dozen sub-chiefs to explain the details of the handover. Former BMC doctor, Dr. Earl Hewitt, was in attendance and gave his full support to the transition. Hewitt presented newly appointed IMB missionaries Rev. William and Dr. Heidi Haun and their son Trey to the Nayiri. The Hauns are career missionaries that will be residing on the BMC campus for many years to come. Dr. Haun is a general surgeon who will begin practicing at the hospital early next year when she receives her Ghanaian medical license and reaches certain Mampruli language proficiency levels.
The George Faile Foundation was also represented by its vice-president Dr. Cindy Shumpert. The Foundation has been managing the guest houses for volunteers for several years and will continue in that capacity in partnership with GBC.
The ceremony was well-attended by residents of Nalerigu, hospital staff, GBC representatives, government officials and the traditional Mamprusi leadership – most notably the Nayiri himself. As in all public appearances by the Nayiri, there was much celebration and dancing.
Our prayer is that the Baptist Medical Centre can continue to have an impact on the peoples of Ghana’s Northern Region – both physically and spiritually. May God be glorified as the hurting are healed and name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed!
