By Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News Guinea
Diecke, Guinea – The United Methodist Church (UMC) mission station in Diecke, Guinea, continues to operate under challenging conditions despite facing misinformation, deceit, and opposition from surrogates of the Global Methodist Church. Established in 1994 under the leadership of Bishop Arthur F. Kulah (now retired), the UMC’s mission in Guinea has provided crucial support through its churches, Diecke United Methodist School, and Diecke Methodist Clinic.
Serving as a cornerstone of community development, the Diecke Methodist Clinic provides essential medical services to over 30,000 people in the town and surrounding villages. The clinic, alongside UMC’s educational and outreach efforts, is part of the broader mission to make disciples for Christ and teach the gospel for the transformation of the world. The station is funded in part by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), which supports educational and healthcare programs.
In a recent interview with Dr. Charles Gbanamou, a medical doctor assigned to the clinic, he expressed deep concerns about the sustainability of the mission’s operations. “I am appealing to GBGM through the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) to increase the supply of medication to the health center. Additionally, we need urgent attention to fence the facility for security reasons,” Dr. Gbanamou said.
Despite challenges, the UMC’s efforts in Guinea remain resilient, thanks to continuous support from the LAC/UMC and GBGM. However, Dr. Gbanamou emphasized that the clinic faces an ongoing issue with inconsistent supply deliveries. “I am grateful for the support from LAC/UMC and GBGM, but bringing in medications every three months is not ideal. It’s critical that we have a sufficient stock of supplies to last until the next delivery, but the shortage has been an ongoing problem,” he added.
Many patients have struggled with the high cost of medications, often unable to afford the alternatives from private sources. “Patients end up having to buy medicines outside, but the cost is simply too high for most of them to bear,” Dr. Gbanamou explained. “Our community relies heavily on the support of the UMC health services, and ensuring adequate medication supply is essential to the clinic’s continued function.”
During the recent visit by delegates to the mission station, Dr. Gbanamou extended his gratitude to Bishop Samuel Quire and the UMC for their continuous support. “I’m excited that you’re here as delegates. Please extend my thanks to Bishop Quire for his leadership and for making it possible for us to serve our people through this health center. But we do need more support to meet the growing demands of the community,” Dr. Gbanamou said.
In addition to the call for more medical supplies, there are concerns about the physical security of the clinic and its infrastructure. Fencing the facility is seen as an urgent need, given the remote location and security risks associated with the surrounding area.
The UMC’s ongoing commitment to spreading the message of Christ through education, healthcare, and community service has not been deterred, but the mission station faces increasingly difficult circumstances. With more support from the Liberia Annual Conference and GBGM, there is hope that the Diecke mission station can continue to serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of Guineans.
Local leaders and community members continue to rally behind the mission, underscoring the importance of the United Methodist Church’s role in Guinea. Despite the challenges posed by opposition groups and logistical hurdles, the UMC remains steadfast in its mission to transform lives through service and faith.
The Diecke mission station and its staff remain hopeful that the appeal for increased funding and support will be heard, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the vital services it provides. As the UMC continues to make disciples and transform the world, the call for continued investment in Guinea’s mission is louder than ever.
