St. Barbara Catholic Church

Saint Barbara Catholic Church
Native name
Italian: Santa Barbara "Church"

Saint Barbara Catholic Church captured from the frontage
Location Akosombo, Eastern Region, Ghana
Coordinates 6°18′0″N 0°3′0″E / 6.30000°N 0.05000°E / 6.30000; 0.05000Coordinates: 6°18′0″N 0°3′0″E / 6.30000°N 0.05000°E / 6.30000; 0.05000
Built 1962

Saint Barbara Catholic Church also known as Santa Barbara Catholic Church and Akosombo Catholic Church is a small church situated at one of the highest points in Akosombo, Ghana, overlooking the dam. It was constructed in September 1962 by Impregilo SPA in 21 days. It was built as a place of worship by the staff of Impregilo during the building of the Akosombo Dam.[1] Subsequently, a memorial plaque was placed in the church to honor the 28 staff of Impregilo SPA who died building the dam.[2]

Origin and Inspiration

The church was named after and dedicated to Saint Barbara the patron saint of the contractors who built the dam and the church.The Church was built to provide a worshipping place and also host the then Archbishop of Milan Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini who later became Pope Paul VI. He was visiting Ghana that year.

The church which was completed in 21 days was designed to resemble praying hands.

A Memorial for the Heroes of the Akosombo Dam

This is a memorial plaque in the St. Barbara church in memory of 28 staff of Impregilo SPA that died building the Akosombo Dam.

A memorial plaque sits in the church in memory of 28 staff of Impregilo SPA that died building the Akosombo Dam, 12 of whom died in an explosion.

Victims of February 15, 1966 explosion

On the February 15th 1966 at 7:15am, there was an explosion at the Akosombo Dam's site. It was suspected that a heavy and unexpected build- up of methane gas or natural gas within one of the tunnels in the dam caused the explosion. The gas was possibly ignited by the lighting of a welding torch. 18 people were in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. 12 died from shock from burns.[3]

Heroes of Akosombo

Victim Name Position Date of Death Nationality
Sam K.Obeng Electrician 24/12/1961 Ghanaian
Yaw Kuma Hodoagbe Fitter 22/7/1962 Ghanaian
Kwesi Mensah Blaster 24/8/1962 Ghanaian
Isaac Appenteng Labourer 2/4/1962 Ghanaian
Elli Elu Labourer 4/5/1963 Ghanaian
Evotsi Ayawo Welder 16/4/1963 Ghanaian
Moro Zabrama Excavator Operator 11/7/1963
Fidelis Makpil Haulpak Driver 28/8/1963 Ghanaian
John K. Shebrah Foreman 6/1/1964 Ghanaian
Zakari Hausa Checker 27/2/1964 Ghanaian
Joseph Tetteh Driller 15/7/1964 Ghanaian
Atia Tongo Head Driller 16/7/1964 Ghanaian
Kwame Hayibor Labourer 27/7/1965 Ghanaian
Salifu Zugu Labourer 25/3/1965 Ghanaian
Haruna Myarku Fitter 26/6/1965 Ghanaian
Emmanuel Kwame Caterpillar Operator 27/11/1965 Ghanaian
Edmund K. Aboroso Head Welder 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Mahamadu Kotokoli 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Johannes MawukpeCarpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Hunor TeiCarpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Kofi GbekuCarpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Agbodemegbe KofiCarpenter Apprt 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Arakenu FrafraLabourer 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Djobuah TettehCarpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Martin AyimaduElectrician 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Angelo ZangrandoCarpenter 15/2/1966 Italian
Ferruccio BigoniGeneral Superintendent 22/2/1966 Italian
Joseph Afum AduCarpenter 22/2/1966 Ghanaian
Volta Lake from the Saint Barbara Church
Volta Lake from the Saint Barbara Church

References

  1. ↑ The Ghanaian Times , September 29, 2012, Michael Danso. "Akosombo Catholic Church is 50 years" Accra, p. 19
  2. ↑ Moxon, James (1984). Volta: Man's Greatest Lake. Andre Deutsch. pp. 235–243. ISBN 0233977171.
  3. ↑ Moxon, James (1984). Volta: Man's Greatest Lake. Andre Deutsch. pp. 235–243. ISBN 0233977171.
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