COSRA Elects New National Officers

The Catholic Organisation for Social and Religious Advancement (COSRA) has elected new officers to run affairs of the group for a two year term.

Sister Mavis Agatha Abla Ekpe, of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, community one, Tema made history following her election as the first female National President in the 46 year existence of the youth movement in the Catholic church of Ghana and beyond.

She pulled a total 221 of the total votes cast to beat her sole male challenger Fidelis Kamaayi of the All Saints Parish, Santasi, Kumasi who had 164 votes at the just ended 17th Biennial National Delegates Congress of the group held in Tamale.

The election took place during the just ended 17th Biennial National Delegates Congress of the group , COSRA which was held at the Nyankpala Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale.

Stephen Nabareseh of the St Theresa`s Parish North Kaneshie, Accra was also elected Vice President in a yes or no votes since he was the only contestant.

He pulled a total 358 yes votes against 26 no votes to win the position.

Richard Asamoah of the St Paul`s Cathedral, Techiman pulled 237 votes for to retain the node as National Organiser to beating off his closest rival Wisdom Adogoli of St Luke Parish, Ashiaman who had 150 votes.

Crosby Charles Armah of the St Peter`s Cathedral Basilica, Kumasi was for the second time elected the Assistant National Organiser. He had a total of 339 yes votes against 48 no votes to get the nod.

Other elected National Officers are; Linda Obeng-Manu of the St Catherine Parish Burma Camp, Accra, the immediate past Assistant secretary pulled 355 yes votes as the sole contender for the position of National Secretary.

Linda had a total of 361 yes votes as against 24 no votes.

The Congress also elected Emmanuel Adu of Mary Queen of Peace Church, Tepa in the Sunyani diocese as the Assistant Secretary with 202 votes against Bernard Ayuure of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Minor Bsilica, Navrongo in the Navrongo Bolgataga Diocese who pulled 168 of the total votes cast.

Vincent Missah Akwei of the Dominic Savio Parish, Dormaa Ahenkro in the Sunyani Diocese was elected the National Welfare Officer with 154 votes beating off two other contenders, Ebenezer Kpodo of St Francis Xavier Parish, Prestea in the Sekondi Takoradi Diocese and Samson Thomas Gaamuo Bele-ire of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese who pulled 114 and 120 votes respectively.

Godwin Agoligi of Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral, Tamale for the second time was elected the National Financial Secretary. He pulled 359 yes votes as compared to 27 no votes.

Christian Kpesese of the St Joseph the Worker Parish, Community, 8 Tema was also re-elected the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for a second term.

He got a total of 367 yes votes against 17 nos.
In all, a total number of 423 delegates attended the 2016 Biennial National Delegates Congress.

In an acceptance speech, National President of COSRA Sister Mavis Ekpe Pledged to work assiduously to achieve the objectives of the group.

The election was presided over by the Tamale Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain, Rev Fr Gerald Zienaa with support from the immediate past Chairman of the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council (GHANCYC), Mr George Nego, Former Tamale Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO) Chairperson, Senior Crusader Monica Achuadem and former Tamale Archdiocesan Youth Council (TACYC) Vice Chairman, Jacob Adam.

They were ably supported by the Chairman of the 2016 Congress Local Organising Committee (LOC), brother Bernard Alando and brother Mathew Pipio a, member.

COSRA was founded by Monsignor Jonathan Thomas Aryikai Ankrah in 1969 to practically respond to the peculiar needs of the Ghanaian for that matter the African youth.

The group poses the right tools to address the social, economic, political and religious needs of young people.

Find below the list of all the elected COSRA National Executive Committee for the period 2016- 2018:

1. MAVIS A. A. EKPE NATIONAL PRESIDENT
2. STEPHEN NABARESEH NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
3. LINDA OBENG-MANU NATIONAL SECRETARY
4. EMMANUEL ADU NATIONAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY
5. GODWIN AGOLIGI NATIONAL FINANCIAL SECREATRY
6. RICHARD ASAMOAH NATIONAL ORGANIZER
7. CROSBY CHARLES ARMAH NATIONAL ASSISTANT ORGANIZER

8. VINCENT MISSA AKWEI NATIONAL WELFARE OFFICER
9. CHRISTIAN KPESESE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER ( P.R.O).