The Catholic Diocese of Jasikan on January 15, 2025 gathered at the St Peter Claver Cathedral Church, Jasikan in the Oti Region of Ghana to hold a burial Mass for the late Rev. Fr. Dr. John Kwadzo Ansah.
The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan concelebrated by the Most, Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of Ho Diocese and the Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty, Bishop Emeritus of Keta-Akatsi and a class mate of late Fr. Ansah.
Concelebrating also were scores of Priests from far and near. Present were Religious Brothers and Sisters working in the Dioceses of Ho, Jasikan, Keta-Akatsi and Dorkorkrom Vicariate; Seminarians and mourners from across Ghana and beyond.
Fr. Ansah, who died at the age of 87 was known for his simplicity of life, consistency and intelligence.
In his welcome, Rev. Msgr. Joseph Nsiah, the Administrator of St. Peter Claver Cathedral Church described Fr. Ansah as a philosopher who lived a philosophy of life.
In his homily, Rev. Msgr. Vincent Antie, Parish Priest of St. Theresa Parish at Nkwanta stated that Fr. Ansah was a humble person, who also demonstrated simplicity in his way of life.
“His hardworking nature did not permit him to be coming home too often, for this reason he is not well known in his Diocese and hometown,” he said, adding that he was a slow but sure person who achieved results with seriousness.
These qualities, Msgr Antie urged the faithful to emulate by learning to become wise in their pursuit of the things of this world.
How wise are you? He asked.
In a light hearted moment, Emeritus Bishop Adanuty shared stories that highlighted the humorous side of his classmate Fr.Ansah.
He noted that even though he was a serious person, he was known for his ability to burn the mid-night candle.
According to Bishop Adanuty, he Fr. Ansah also knew how to find humour in life’s situations.
Hon. Kofi Adams, the Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, who shared the same birth place with Fr. Ansah, remarked that “we cannot write a tribute for Fr John because he has many pages.”
“But we have learnt one thing from him that there is beauty in simplicity,” he stated.
Born at Teteman, Buem in the Oti Region of Ghana as the tenth child of his parents, he had his basic education and displayed an exceptional intelligence which compensated for his lowly background.
Even though he faced financial challenges, he faced those challenges head on by taking up menial jobs.
The philosopher, Fr. Ansah after completing his basic education, became a pupil teacher at Liati, where he met a Priest who encouraged him to consider priestly vocation to which he heeded, leading him to pursue further studies in St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Amisano in the Cape Coast Archdiocese.
He was ordained Priest on July 31, 1966. Becoming the third Teteman born Priest.
As a Priest, he served various roles in the Church, spending most of his life teaching at the department of religion, now known as department of religion and human values and the substantive Chaplain of the University of Cape Coast. He served also in various roles through the period of 1978-2002.
He is specially noted for the construction of the Church building of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Chaplaincy, also fostering a strong Catholic community of students and faculty.
After his retirement from the University of Cape Coast as a Senior lecturer, he relocated to Teteman, where he devoted his time to nurturing the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church community at Teteman New Town until he breathed his last breath.
By Sr. Bridget Kator, SMMC (Sister Communicator)
