Good Deeds Never Go Unnoticed - The Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony For Bishop Dr. Charles C. Hackman

As the wheels of destiny move speedily on the highways of time, the season has come and the time is ripe for mankind to appreciate the works of its deserving sons and daughters who are altering the landmarks of the past, shaping the course of the future and forging new pathways for generations yet unborn.Good deeds, it is said, never go unnoticed and Bishop Dr. Charles C. Hackman, a proud son of the land having distinguished himself over the years, was on 2^nd November, 2019 awarded two honoraryDoctorate Degrees (in Divinity and Humanity) in recognition of his great philanthropic works in the disability community in Ghana.

Bishop Hackman’s contribution to the disability community for the past eight (8) years has been phenomenal. His projects and activities have uniquely redefined the perception of disability through a simple yet profound message – there is ability in disability. Known as the ‘Voice of ability on air, for persons with disability’, Bishop Hackman’s focus is to throw the spotlight on the abilities of persons with disabilities. This passion has over the years reshaped the frames of references, ideologies and mind sets associated with disability and persons with disability.

On November, 2^nd 2019 at 4:30 pm, Fire City Chapel (FCC) was transformed into a heavenly sanctuary as the young and old, male and female, able and persons with disabilities, stakeholders from the disability community, policy makers, members of the College of Archbishops and Bishops, the clergy, politicians, dignitaries, beneficiaries of H4P’s advocacy campaign, well-wishers, friends and family converged to witness the honorary doctorate conferment ceremony for Bishop Dr. Charles C. Hackman as well as his consecration into the office of a Bishop. The event lived up to international standards as guests from the UK, the US, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and other parts of the world had the opportunity of joining in via the enterprise of live streaming on youtube, facebook and the FCC website.

The night was truly memorable as the well-organised and classic ceremony was decked with testimonials about Bishop Hackman’s good deeds from dignitaries and stakeholders in the disability community such as Hon. John Majisi, MP for KrachiNchumuru, MawunyoYakor-Dagbah, the National President for Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Hon. Henry SeiduDanaa, former Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Farida Bedwei, an internationally recognised software engineer, Madam Salome Francios, founder of New Horizon Special School, among others. There were also sterling performances from the sensational Fire City Praise Team and the Ghana Military band. Guests were adequately entertained, inspired and refreshed.

Invited guests were held spell-bound as they watched a brief video biography of Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman and were surprised at his prowess not just in preaching the word of God but also in the fields of business, media, arts and entertainment. Being a prolific speaker and writer,Bishop Hackman’slatest addition to his literary works, ‘The Chosen Generation’, was duly launched at the ceremony. ‘The Chosen Generation’, gives in-depth insight and expounds essential truths regarding the divine expectations and criteria concerning the chosen generation and is recommended for all who desire to know what God is doing with and in our generation at this time.

The resounding cheers and applause that engulfed the FCC edifice during the conferment of the honorary doctorate and during his induction as Bishop by the Calvary Cross Clergy Council and Bible seminary was enough testimony that this was a well-deserved and long-awaited honour. He was further given the Africa Nobles Award following the tremendous impact made byBishop Dr. Charles C. Hackman through the H4P Organization in the lives of many.

The (H4P) Here for Perfection organization was birthed on the 11^th of January, 2011 by Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman as the vehicle through which he would assist the vulnerable and marginalised in the country. With the mandate to heal the world, feed the world and build the world, H4P reached out to affect the disability landscape via the areas of media, education, health, education and sports. Initiatives of H4P include the Helping Hand TV show (produced and hosted by Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman, is the first of its kind with the focus of sharing the stories of successful persons with disability), the H4P National Inter-schools Disability Fun Games (the first of its kind in Ghana which for four years congregated over 3,000 special students from schools all over the country to compete in healthy sports competitions) and the Helping Hand Community Projects which partner with and support Special Schools and Institutions. Special Schools and institutions that have benefited from these working visits include the New Horizon Special School, the Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre, Dzorwulu Special School, ShareCare Ghana, Wa School for the Blind etc.

As Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman would often state, challenges are the ladders for success. His quest to create this new world where the segregation and discrimination of persons with disability is a thing of the past has not been an easy journey. In spite of the lack of funds and support from organizations and institutions, H4P through its ingenuity and creativity embarks on various activities to raise funds for its projects in order to keep hope alive for persons with disability. As a result, H4P has for the past 8 years supported persons with disabilities and special needs institutions with funds amounting to over Ghc 10,000,000! However, more can be achieved and lives impacted. Bishop Dr. Charles C. Hackman therefore appeals to all and sundry to come on board and help transform the lives of the vulnerable in society.

Hard work truly pays off and so true is the maxim that actions speak louder than words. The actions of Bishop Hackman have brought to many, tears of joy, the recognition of achievements, the revival of lost hopes and dreams, the reunification of broken homes and relationships, the resuscitation of dying bodies, the renewal of erroneous perceptions and the love for the vulnerable. Congratulations to Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman for this great feat.

You must overcome your fears, weaknesses and limitations, in order to help others overcome theirs. – Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman