Sir Knight Ernest Amoako-Arhen has been installed as the 31st Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, with a call on members of the Catholic friendly and charitable society to help diversify the revenue sources of the Noble Order so as to meet the changing needs of the times.

“Sir Knights, Brothers, the world is constantly changing, old systems and approaches no longer work, seasons change, needs change, and this is why we should diversify our revenue sources,” he said.

He made the call in his inaugural address after his installation as the 31st Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall at the Marshallan Temple, Sekondi, on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Fraternity microfinance

In line with that, Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen said he intended to lead the Noble Order to set up a microfinance company to be known as the Fraternity Microfinance Company Limited.

He said the microfinance company would be reminiscent of the business ingenuity and achievements of other Knighthoods of the Catholic Church.

“My plan is to chart this course with the view to propelling the Order to the next level of development – the establishment of a microfinance institution, which refers to the management of financial services preferably with small amounts of money for the benefit of targeted low-income clients,” he stated.

Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen said the initiative would seek to contribute to reduction in poverty in the country by providing financial services to the needy business institutions and individuals and also to enhance return on investments.

In this direction, he said, discussions were far advanced with Council 10 and Court 5, Accra; Council 37 and Court 26, Tema; and Council 3 and Court 1, Kumasi to construct permanent structures for the fraternity’s microfinance project to be located at Okponglo-Accra, Comm 5, Tema, Fante New Town- Kumasi, and Techiman and Kasoa (rented premises).

St Anthony Montessori Schools Complex

The Supreme Knight further announced plans for the establishment of the St Anthony Montessori Schools Complex as part of processes to impart knowledge, develop the powers of reasoning and judgement, and generally prepare oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

He said the schools would start from the preschool to basic school category to the senior high school level.

He said a 35-acre land had been acquired at Samanhu near Tarkwa for this project through the support and guidance of the Supreme Secretary – W/B Joseph D. Erskine.  

Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen said another 20 plot of land had also been acquired at Techiman for a similar project and expressed gratitude to the Brong Ahafo Regional Grand Knight, W/Bro George Dossah, and Brothers and Sisters in Techiman.

“It is our hope and expectation that Brothers will embrace this noble idea and generously support the project,” he said. 

Rubber plantation

Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen also indicated that a reasonable portion of the land at Tarkwa had been earmarked for a Rubber Plantation to generate some income for the Noble Order. 

He announced that Sir Kt Joseph Kayang had been respectfully tasked to provide the necessary technical advice to the Supreme Council for the necessary action.

Governance challenges

Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen stressed the need for visionary leadership for managing complexities in the rapidly changing environments of the Noble Order.

“A protracted or long-standing challenge to governance in the Noble Order relates to decentralisation. The policy of devolution of power and authority to Regional Cabinets (independence) is viewed as a way of re-establishing the Noble Order and rebuilding its legitimacy from bottom up,” he said. 

“We are determined to build the capacities of Grand Knights, Regional Grand Knights as well as Supreme Councillors to build consensus on our strategic plan aimed at achieving the objectives of the Noble Order.”

“The independence, integrity and performance of the Councils and Regional Councils need some improvements,” he said.

He said if all Marshallans were to exhibit and improve upon their dedication and commitment to the fraternity, the church and society, “We will make great impact.”

To achieve that, Sir Kt Amoako-Arhen said, required “a deep reflection on our attitudes and approach to roles that are assigned to us”.