Oxford House World Convention

Ghana's Oxford Houses in Oyarifa and Kukurantumi (at present, the Came to Believe Oxford House in Kukurantumi has no residents) were mentioned in The City of Oklahoma City Proclamation honoring the 14th Annual World Convention of Oxford Houses, saying "WHEREAS, there are now over 1,500 Oxford Houses across the United States, including 60 in Oklahoma, 32 in Canada, 6 in Australia, and 2 in Ghana and 1 in the United Kingdom" . . . "Oxford Houses have demonstrated for 37 years that alcoholics and drug addicts can successfully remain sober without relapse". Over 700 mainly Oxford House members participated in the Conference held from September 13 - 16, 2012. A fifteen minute presentation on Oxford Houses and the House of St. Francis in Ghana was made by Dan O'Laughlin in a breakout session on "International Expansion". Hundreds of friends of Byron Merriweather asked about his work in Ghana in opening Houses and carrying the 12-step message. Next year's meeting will be held in Washington, DC, and it is hoped that an Oxford House for women may be opened by that time in Ghana. 

HSF by September 1, 2012

The House of St. Francis (HSF) opened on August 1 with one person in recovery and by September 1 had five residents.  Several more people may be joining the Ashaiman House in September.  There’s only one problem.  It seems that Byron is being overworked because he is the only staff person at the House.  He is looking for someone with the proper background and motivation to join him.  Several people have been approached.  Byron reports that he is receiving excellent support from the professionals, particularly from the Narcotics Control Board, Addictive Diseases Unit and Pantang Hospital.  Efforts are being made to start AA and NA meetings in Ashaiman and Tema.  Groundwork is also being done for the establishment of additional Oxford Houses.  Women who visit the HSF want specifically to do something for women in recovery and for their families through Al-Anon.  Byron is also in touch with Larry Gaines who is likely to go to Ghana in January, 2013 to do staff training in Recovery Dynamics.  This is the 29 lesson curriculum which is being used by over 200 rehab facilities in the U.S. and other countries; and now by HSF. The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra is also spreading the word about HSF to Catholic Churches in Accra.  We express our specific thanks to Oxford House, Inc. who has made it possible for Byron to be in Accra. 

Dan