It was while writing a research paper in one of his graduate classes at SJC Long Island that Father Daniel Neyoh ’21 was inspired to start a nonprofit organization that offers medical assistance to people in remote areas of his home country of Ghana, where residents have little or no access to health care.
“An aspect of that paper was to talk about social responsibility. I started asking myself what I can give back to the poor rural communities in Ghana when I go back as a well-trained hospital administrator,” said Fr. Daniel, who graduates from St. Joseph’s College with an MBA in Health Care Management on Friday, June 4.
“I quickly conceived the idea of a health care foundation that will focus mainly on improving the deplorable health situations in most village communities in Ghana,” he added.
Thus, RuralGo Health Foundation was born.
From Father to Founder
After becoming ordained in December 2004, Fr. Daniel started working in the health sector as a chaplain at Our Lady of Grace Hospital in Asikuma, Ghana.
“I was in charge of the pastoral activities of the hospital, and I was also the head of the HIV/AIDS unit,” said Fr. Daniel, who’s hometown is Nandom, located in the upper west region of Ghana. “I was then appointed by my Archbishop as the director of health for the diocese. By this position, I was responsible in coordinating the activities of all the five hospitals of the diocese and reporting accordingly to all the stakeholders.”
It was his leadership position in the health sector that led him to pursue an MBA in Health Care Management.
After researching several programs, he decided SJC Long Island was the place for him, and he began his studies at the College in September 2017.
“My biggest takeaway from the school is the exposure that I have gained from the managerial components that graduate students were obliged to do in all the courses,” said Fr. Daniel, who served as chaplain at Huntington Hospital while working toward a master’s degree. “In my view, this makes the graduate programs at St. Joseph’s a unique one.”
Fr. Daniel founded RuralGo in December 2020, after being inspired by one of his graduate courses at St. Joseph’s.
“On April 10, 2021, I organized my first health education and screening outreach activity in one of the remote villages in Ghana,” Fr. Daniel said. “How I was able to organize that activity from the United States is just one of the proofs of how my MBA is going to help me so much in my endeavors in RuralGO.”
Fr. Daniel is excited to return to Ghana at the end of the month, where he looks forward to watching his organization grow.
“My biggest inspiration in life is to get the opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of the many people that I encounter,” he said. “This foundation that I have created is going to offer me that opportunity, and that gives me joy.”
Photo courtesy of RuralGo Health Foundation.
2 comments
Congratulations Fr. May God bless you for the idea to help the poor through Your NGO. We can’t wait to see you back in Ghana.
May God almighty continue to strengthen you for serving humanity. RuralGO Health foundation will continue to grow frm strength to strength till it’s purpose is achieved . May God bless you Fr Dan for opening a health foundation in rural area. It will help the less privileged to have access to health care , thank you.