Saint Barbara Catholic Church, also known as Santa Barbara Catholic Church and Akosombo Catholic Church, is a small church situated at one of the highest points in Akosombo, Ghana, overlooking the Akosombo Dam. It was constructed in September 1962 by Impregilo SPA in 21 days. It was built as a place of worship by the staff of Impregilo during the building of the dam.The Ghanaian Times, September 29, 2012, Michael Danso. "Akosombo Catholic Church is 50 years" Accra, p. 19 Subsequently, a memorial plaque was placed in the church to honor the 28 staff of Impregilo SPA who died building the dam.
Origin and inspiration
The church was named after and dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of the contractors who built the dam and the church. The Church was built to provide a worshipping place and also host the then Archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Battista Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI. He was visiting Ghana that year.
The church, which was completed in 21 days, was designed to resemble praying hands.
Akosombo Dam memorial
A memorial plaque sits in the church in memory of 28 staff of Impregilo SPA that died building the Akosombo Dam, 12 of whom died in an explosion.
Victims of February 15, 1966 explosion
On the February 15th 1966 at 7:15am, there was an explosion at the Akosombo Dam's site. It was suspected that a heavy and unexpected build-up of methane gas or natural gas within one of the tunnels in the dam caused the explosion. The gas was possibly ignited by the lighting of a welding torch. 18 people were in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. 12 died from shock from burns.
Heroes of Akosombo Victim Name Position Date of death Nationality Sam K.Obeng Electrician 24/12/1961 Ghanaian Yaw Kuma Hodoagbe Fitter 22/7/1962 Ghanaian Kwesi Mensah Blaster 24/8/1962 Ghanaian Isaac Appenteng Labourer 2/4/1962 Ghanaian Elli Elu Labourer 4/5/1963 GhanaianEvotsi Ayawo Welder 16/4/1963 GhanaianMoro Zabrama Excavator Operator 11/7/1963 Fidelis Makpil Haulpak Driver 28/8/1963 GhanaianJohn K. Shebrah Foreman 6/1/1964 GhanaianZakari Hausa Checker 27/2/1964 GhanaianJoseph Tetteh Driller 15/7/1964 GhanaianAtia Tongo Head Driller 16/7/1964 GhanaianKwame Hayibor Labourer 27/7/1965 GhanaianSalifu Zugu Labourer 25/3/1965 GhanaianHaruna Myarku Fitter 26/6/1965 GhanaianEmmanuel Kwame Caterpillar Operator 27/11/1965 GhanaianEdmund K. Aboroso Head Welder 15/2/1966 GhanaianMahamadu Kotokoli 15/2/1966 GhanaianJohannes MawukpeCarpenter 15/2/1966 GhanaianHunor TeiCarpenter 15/2/1966 GhanaianKofi GbekuCarpenter 15/2/1966 GhanaianAgbodemegbe KofiCarpenter Apprt 15/2/1966 GhanaianArakenu FrafraLabourer 15/2/1966 GhanaianDjobuah TettehCarpenter 15/2/1966 GhanaianMartin AyimaduElectrician 15/2/1966 GhanaianAngelo ZangrandoCarpenter 15/2/1966 ItalianFerruccio BigoniGeneral Superintendent 22/2/1966 ItalianJoseph Afum AduCarpenter 22/2/1966 Ghanaian
Gallery
References
External links Catholic Diocese of Koforidua