Compiled by Dr. Peter Hayibor Esq. Ex Board Chairman, Anfoega Catholic Hospital.
“She was born to serve humanity and she accomplished it selflessly and with distinction ”
In 1962 Sister Maria Gerarda Dekkers a Dutch National arrived in Ghana together with Sister Alberta Felenzer to take over the running of the Anfoega Catholic Hospital. Both were members of the Grail, an International Church Women’s Association.
During the same year of her arrival the first eight (8) Ghanaian Ward Assistants and a few labourers and artisans were employed. Some of them were Elizabeth Mackam, Sevalda Foli, Mary Agbesi, Kyeame, Kwaku change Botsoe, Kwaku Genuo, Kwodzo Agomede, Kwaku Ganuo Atieku, Valence Honuga, Mathar Kulor, Theclar Amenya, Peter Dzeble, Comfort Dzeble, Pius Vondzor and many others of blessed memory. Others who joined later were Mabel Agbovi, Victoria Tutu and Mary Kumahor.
The first Petters electric generator was installed. In the same year the hospital attained 45 bed capacity. An intensive practical bedside nursing training was done for the eight ward assistants engaged.
Sister Ria was a specialist in the treatment of Tuberculosis and other Chest related diseases. Her expertise in this area opened patronage of the hospital to the entire country and the neighbouring countries including Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and others.
Her care for patients during emergencies including lifting helpless sick persons physically for emergency care were admired by the public and staff.
She did not only limit her services to the hospital but visited various sick persons including many respectable citizens in their homes to provide some medical care to them.
The donation of the first VW Combi Vehicle to the hospital by the Valco Trust Fund through the instrumentality of the late Lawyer E.Y.M. Dzeble facilitated her efforts of visiting the sick at home.
By 1967 the first nurses quarters had been completed. In 1968 Sister Alberta Felenzer who came with Sister Ria in 1962 left and Sister Ria from thereon became the sole officer in charge of the hospital.
Sister continued her services with the initial zeal. By 1970 bed capacity increased to 92 including 18 isolation beds for T.B. patients.
The number of qualified nurses and midwives also increased. Post natal care became well established and food supplements were provided for nursing mothers and children on regular monthly basis.
Other projects completed under Sister Ria with the support of mainly foreign donors from Holland, Germany and the Netherlands Embassy were:
▪ The imposing Out-Patient Department blessed and commissioned as tthem Silver Jubilee Anniversary Project in 1984.
▪ KVIP, Bath houses and Kitchen for relatives caring for patients were constructed
▪ Establishment of the Hospital Primary School in 1989. She applied to the Ministry of Education for the opening of the primary school and completed its construction in 1990.
▪ Completion of a mortuary facility through donation of equipment by the Volta River Authority courtesy the late Lawyer EYM Dzeble.
▪ Connection of the Hospital to the National Electricity Grid again through the pivotal role of the Late Lawyer E.Y.M. Dzeble.
Many Ward Assistants were engaged under Sister Ria and were prepared as a training ground to enter various nurses training colleges in the country. Many of these lucky ladies are fully fletched qualified nurses serving in various capacities in Ghana and abroad and some have retired from active service.
In 1984, Sister Ria together with the Chiefs and people of Anfoega and Ho Diocese organised a grand celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the hospital (1959 to 1984).
The imposing Outpatient Department funded by donors through the efforts of Sister Ria was blessed by Bishop Francis Lodonu and commissioned by Mrs Alhasan then member of the PNDC on behalf of the then Head of State, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings.
In recognition of her dedicated service not only to the Anfoega Community but Ghana and beyond, in 1992 during the 40th Anniversary celebration of installation of the Late Paramount Chief, Togbe Tepre Hodo III, ( Grand Medalist) , Sister Ria was installed an ordinary Queen mother of Anfoega.
The imposing Out Patient Department building was also named after Sister Ria during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Hospital in the year 2000 (1959- 1999).
Indeed the history of Anfoega Catholic Hospital is inextricably linked with Sister Ria. She nurtured the hospital from the time of her arrival in 1962 through its later development stages to enable the hospital to attain its pinnacle of success.
Her departure in 1993 was a critical moment in the annals of the hospital. The history of the hospital from then on became chequred in the face of desperate efforts to recapture its past reputation.
Sister Ria was a firm disciplinarian but was jovial and had a good relationship with people. Her love for children was excellent. She created opportunities for them to learn and have knowledge beyond their immediate environments through excursions.
Due to the monumental achievements and success during the tenure of Sister Ria, she became one of the focus figures when the hospital celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2009 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2019 as depicted by the anniversary clothes and other souvenirs items produced to commemorate the two anniversaries.
Sister Ria had indeed made an indelible mark through her selfless and tireless pioneering work in the premier or the FIRST catholic hospital set up in the Volta Region at Anfoega in 1959. It was through the toils and sacrifices of the Chiefs and people of Anfoega community and the support of the First President of Ghana Dr Kwame Nkrumah who personally laid the foundation Stone of the hospital on 18th November 1959.
On the historic occasion marking the Golden Jubilee of the hospital in 2009, Bishop Francis Lodonu, the entire Ho Diocese ,the Chiefs and People of Anfoega and the entire people of Ghana wished her happiness and fulfillment of the rest of her life in retirement and the continuous favour of the Lord in all her endeavors in her home country, Holland.
The passing and the laying to rest of the mortal remains of Sister Ria on Saturday 19th July 2025 in his home Country, Holland, was so sudden.
However, that is part of our existence. Indeed the Lord gave a gem to humanity and the Lord has taken her back for His greater glory.
It is sad to lose her but she lived a full and fruitful life and her exemplary life must be celebrated.
Sister Maria Gerarda Dekkers, on the occasion of your passing to glory, the people of the Republic of Ghana, the Bishop and the entire Ho Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, the Chiefs and people of Anfoega and the entire North Dayi District Community who were direct beneficiaries of your dedicated services and benevolence, bid you farewell and a Peaceful Rest in God’s everlasting love.
Sincere condolences to the bereaved family back in the Netherlands and especially to Afi.
