Our Local Staff in Ghana

Sophia Akogyeram
Interim Operations Director
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Sophia also holds a Google Professional Certificate in Project Management, demonstrating her proficiency in managing projects and fostering effective teamwork. She has experience as a class teacher, an administrative assistant at the University of Ghana and School Administrator at Bishop Konzen Catholic School, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her endeavors. Sophia has a proven track record of creating dynamic learning environments and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance educational outcomes.
Sophia aspires to leverage her skills and experiences to become a philanthropist, advocating for education and equal opportunities for all. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in music and dance, using these forms of expression as outlets for creativity and cultural appreciation.
With a commitment to excellence and a heart for service, Sophia is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Sammy Kwame
Logistics Manager
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Samuel Kwame is the PFSHC Community Affairs Director. He is a native to the Volta Region and was born in Ho, Ghana. He graduated from Mastella Technical School and is a small business owner and has operated an automotive repair shop for over 10 years. Sammy is married to Adelaide Kwame and they are the proud parents of Giovanni. Mr. Kwame has been a dedicated and invaluable member of PFSHC since its founding.

Roland Kumfo
Social Welfare Director
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Bio coming soon.

Soloman Adawu
Physicians Assistant
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Alimah Mechiru
Housing Manager
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Alimah Mechiru is the Housing Director at Pope Francis School and Health Centre (PFSHC).
She was raised in Abor in the Volta Region of Ghana. Alimah graduated from GH Media School with a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies.
Alimah is a Journalist, a team player and has good interpersonal skills.
She has working experience in the Media and began working with PFSHC in May 2023.
Board of Directors

Michael Barry, Founder of PFSHC
Board Member
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Michael Barry, Founder of Pope Francis School and Health Centre, Previously Active in his parish as a member of St. Vincent DePaul at St. Philip Benzi Catholic Church in Jonesboro Ga, Parent Committees at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School , Hapeville Ga. Currently a member of Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Green Valley Az. YMCA Board Member , Jonesboro Ga. Missionary 2010 Helping Hands Medical Missions , Ghana. Volunteer 2014, United Planet, Ghana. Small business owner since 1984.

Mary Gorni
Educator
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Mary Gorni, a dedicated educator and community advocate originally from Ghana, West Africa, was raised in the Catholic faith. She now resides in the United States and is an accomplished alumna of Arizona State University, where she earned her master’s degree. Her academic journey began in Ghana, where she completed both her undergraduate and bachelor’s degrees.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Mary has made significant contributions to education in both Ghana and the USA. In Ghana, she distinguished herself in several roles: as a Guidance and Counseling Coordinator, a member of the Disciplinary and Curriculum Development Committees, and as a School Health Coordinator within her school’s circuit and district.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Mary is deeply engaged in her community. In her hometown, she serves as a chaperone and is an active member of the planning committee for the annual community festival. Her passion for supporting the vulnerable, especially children, is a testament to her commitment to making a positive impact in society.
Mary believes in working within a supportive team environment where gender and cultural diversity are valued. She understands that such diversity can inspire and motivate team members while ensuring the efficient and effective management of resources to achieve set targets.

Dr. Charles Thompson
Board Member
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Dr Charles Thompson
Throughout his 28+ year career at Pfizer, Charlie has taken on diverse roles in clinical development, clinical safety/risk management, and medical affairs, including founding and leading the Pfizer Pediatric Center of Excellence. Charlie is also the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Children’s Advisory Network (iCAN), the Founder and Past Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Advances in Therapeutics and Technology, and a former member of the Board of Directors for the Hezekiah Beardsley Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Charlie served multiple terms as a governor-appointed member of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics committee and served on the State of Connecticut Immunization Task Force following an appointment by the Speaker of the House.
Charlie is a board-certified pediatrician who earned his M.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. He is a Clinical Instructor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and served as a member of the medical staff at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Charlie and his wife, Heather, have four children and two grandchildren.

Deacon Joseph S. Roinick
Board Member
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Joe was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He attended 12 years of Catholic school and graduated from St. Gabriel High School in 1967. Joe earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg State College (now Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania) in 1971. His teaching career in the Sullivan County School district spanned 34 years including 3rd grade, kindergarten, remedial math, enrichments students and adult computer education for the community through the school district. Joe, taught in the Religious Education program and RCIA program in his parish.
Joe met his future wife at college and in August of 1971 they celebrated Holy Matrimony. In August 2021 they observed their 50th wedding Anniversary. After a five-year formation program, Joe was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Scranton on November 27, 2004. Over the years, he was a member of 2 Diocesan Commissions to Plan and Implement consolidations of parishes in the Diocese. He also, conducted formation classes for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the Diocese and was a Facilitator for Protecting God’s Children (a safe-environment program). Discovering the warmth of Southern Arizona, he and Carol relocated to the Diocese of Tucson at the end of 2012. Joe served as Deacon at Our Lady of the Valley Parish. In 2016, he was appointed Pastoral Associate of the parish and has served in that capacity since then.

Tim Doyle
Board Member
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Mr. Tim Doyle began his career as a credit analyst for Huntington National Bank, in Ohio where he worked until August 1984. After completing his MBA at the University of Texas, he joined The Coca-Cola Company in June 1986 as a financial analyst with the Minute Maid Company.
In February 1990, he moved to the Company’s Atlanta headquarters where he worked in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions. In February 1995, he moved to Belgium as Financial Planning Manager for the Northwest Europe Division.
In September 1996, he was appointed Division Finance Manager, Coca-Cola Southern Africa, with oversight for 10 countries based in Johannesburg. In September 1998, he was promoted to Vice President and Finance Director.

Natalie Codelli
Board Member
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Natalie grew up in a small town established in the late 1800s by immigrant Italian farmers just outside of Mobile, AL. The Catholic church and school in her town was an anchor for the community and it was where her faith journey began. While being a musician at heart, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She then moved to Atlanta and began a career in banking as a financial analyst. After several years in the banking industry, she went back to school and graduated with a Master of Music degree in 1997. That launched her career into piano teaching which then led her to music ministry at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Atlanta, GA. She enjoyed serving at Our Lady of the Assumption for 25 years while running the children’ s music program for the church under the pastorship of Fr. James McGoldrick, SM followed by Fr. James Duffy, SM.
Our Lady of the Assumption launched a church building project in 2003 and Natalie served as a member of the Parish Building Committee for the new church which was completed in 2005. She is also a certified Catholic coach with Metanoia Catholic. Of all her ongoing accomplishments and work, she feels her greatest is raising two caring and responsible young women.

Dr. Fernando Miguel Almaguer Acevedo
Board Member
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Bio coming soon.
Our Advisory Board

The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.
Archbishop of Atlanta
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Archbishop Hartmayer, son of the late John and Sally Hartmayer, was born on Nov. 21, 1951, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised in Tonawanda, New York, a northern suburb of Buffalo, and was a member of St. Amelia Catholic Church, where he attended elementary school. Archbishop Hartmayer has an older brother, C. Douglas, and a younger brother, John, both of whom continue to live in Western New York with their families; and a sister, Mary Jo Kotacka, who lives with her husband, Rolf, in Bluffton, South Carolina.
After graduating from St. Amelia Elementary School, Archbishop Hartmayer attended Cardinal O’Hara High School, conducted by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, and graduated in 1969. Upon graduation, he joined the Conventual Franciscan Friars at their Novitiate of St. Joseph Cupertino in Ellicott City, Maryland. He professed his simple vows there on Aug. 15, 1970. Archbishop Hartmayer then pursued studies at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1974. Meanwhile, he professed his solemn vows as a Conventual Franciscan Friar on Aug. 15, 1973.

The Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, SM
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
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Bishop Konzen was born November 6, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Oak Harbor, Ohio. He took his first vows as a Marist in 1975. He took perpetual vows in the Society of Mary and was ordained a deacon in 1978 and ordained priest in 1979.
Bishop Konzen has a bachelor of arts in English from St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind., a master of divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, a master of arts in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a master of arts in educational administration from The Catholic University of America.