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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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St. Barbara Catholic Church

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 Akosombo 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 dam. Subsequently, a memorial plaque was placed in the church to honor the 28 staff of Impregilo SPA who died building the dam.

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 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.

Akosombo Dam memorial

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.

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 Mawukpe Carpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Hunor Tei Carpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Kofi Gbeku Carpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Agbodemegbe Kofi Carpenter Apprt 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Arakenu Frafra Labourer 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Djobuah Tetteh Carpenter 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Martin Ayimadu Electrician 15/2/1966 Ghanaian
Angelo Zangrando Carpenter 15/2/1966 Italian
Ferruccio Bigoni General Superintendent 22/2/1966 Italian
Joseph Afum Adu Carpenter 22/2/1966 Ghanaian

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.