By: Jones Anlimah
The 9th International Community of Diaconic Management (ICDM) Alumni Conference is underway in Ho, the Volta Regional capital. Hosted by the Evangelical Presbyterian University College/Seminary, the four-day event is themed “Universal Health Coverage and Welfare (SDG 3.8): Towards Post-COVID-19 Responses; Challenges, Key Strategies, and the Role of Health and Religious Institutions within Global Contexts.”
Participants from across Africa, Asia, and Germany are attending the conference, which aims to address global health and welfare challenges, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8. This goal emphasizes good health, well-being, and decent work for all.
Founded in 2015, the International Community of Diaconic Management (ICDM) is an alumni network of graduates from the International Master of Arts in Diaconic Management (IMADM), initiated by the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) and academically managed by the Institute for Diaconic Science and Diaconic Management (IDWM) at Bielefeld University in Germany.
The ICDM has members from 12 different countries in Africa, Asia, and Germany. Since its inception, ICDM has held annual conferences, rotating among these 12 countries. This year’s conference in Ho is themed “Universal Health Coverage and Welfare (SDG 3.8): Towards Post-COVID-19 Responses; Challenges, Key Strategies, and the Role of Health and Religious Institutions within Global Contexts.”
The conference serves as a platform for continuous learning among ICDM members and aims to strengthen networks, exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote collaboration with other academics and practitioners in the field of diaconia or church-based humanitarian work.
Professor Dr. Christian Oelschlägel, Deputy Rector of the Institute for Diaconic Science and Diaconic Management (Bielefeld University), highlighted how the pandemic exposed gaps in healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between governments, religious institutions, and civil society to advance universal health coverage. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fundamental problems in global healthcare,” he noted.
Professor Oelschlägel added, “On one hand, we saw the problems, and on the other hand, we see that our systems have been weakened. But we have developed solutions to address these challenges in different contexts and countries. We are here to exchange ideas, discuss solutions we may have found, and understand what we have learned from this pandemic that has placed our healthcare systems in problematic situations.”
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Rt. Rev. Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bliss Divine Agbeko, urged religious and faith-based institutions to lead advocacy efforts for welfare reforms that support vulnerable populations. “As you discuss health matters, don’t forget to address the issue of galamsey,” he said, referring to illegal mining activities in Ghana.
“You visit some villages, and people say that those from the city may face problems, but in the villages, there seems to be no immediate threat. So, as we talk about the effects of COVID-19, we must also consider the consequences of galamsey, which can destroy our country,” Rev. Agbeko emphasized.
Mr. Thomas Moore Zonyrah, Central Tongu District Chief Executive, commended ICDM for organizing the conference in Ghana, noting that it provides a vital platform for dialogue and idea-sharing aimed at addressing critical global health challenges. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to global health systems, economies, and the social fabric of our societies. It has also highlighted the importance of robust health systems and the need for universal health coverage,” Mr. Zonyrah stated.
He further added, “As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, we face numerous challenges, including healthcare disparities, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, and rebuilding trust in health systems. Moving forward, we must adopt strategies that not only address immediate health needs but also build resilient systems capable of responding to future challenges.”
12 students from the K5 cohort of the University, who had completed various courses of study, were awarded certificates. Their training aligns with ICDM’s mission to develop leaders equipped to manage social services within faith-based organizations while promoting health and welfare initiatives in line with global development goals.
