The Member of Parliament P for the Buem Constituency in the Oti Region of Ghana, Hon Iddie Kofi Adams, has congratulated the Bishop-elect for Jasikan Diocese in the Oti Region, Msgr. Simon Kofi Appiah, who has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to succeed the Most Rev. Gabriel A. A. Mante.
On Tuesday, December 23, Pope Leo accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Jasikan of Bishop Gabriel Mante and appointed Fr. Appiah, a lecturer at the Department of Religion and Human Values at the University of Cape Coast.
In a congratulatory message dated December 24, 2025, Hon Kofi Adams stated that “this is not just an honour for the Church but a moment of great joy for the people of Buem and wider Oti Region” as the new Bishop-elect is a son of the soil.
“We have shared in his wisdom, his ministry, his humility over the years as we know him not just by name, but by presence. His appointment is a reminder that true leadership grows from service, integrity, and quiet dedication to community,” he added.
Hon. Adams noted that the values of Monsignor Appiah, which stand for discipline, intellectual depth, compassion, and moral clarity, have shaped lives across our towns and villages because he has built bridges of understanding and modelled the kind of leadership that uplifts without seeking praise.
He expressed confidence in the new role of Monsignor Appiah since he will continue to inspire not just the Catholic faithful, but all of us who believe in the power of community, faith, and service.
Monsignor Simon Kofi Appiah is a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Jasikan and a Ghanaian scholar. Born on April 24, 1964, he was ordained to the priesthood on July 21, 1990, and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Human Values at the University of Cape Coast.
He holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Tübingen, Germany, and has received advanced academic and professional training in psychology, psychotherapy, and higher education pedagogy in Germany, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Ghana.
Monsignor Appiah brings over three decades of experience in teaching, research, pastoral ministry, and academic administration. His scholarly work focuses on the study of religion, ethics, decolonising knowledge, and Ghanaian values, and is published in leading international journals and edited volumes, including several indexed in Scopus.
At the University of Cape Coast, he has taught extensively at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses, and served in leadership roles, including Graduate Studies Coordinator in the Department of Religion and Human Values. He has also held visiting and guest lecturing appointments across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Beyond the university, Monsignor Appiah remains actively engaged in Priestly Ministry, Pastoral Counselling, and Community Service. He is also the Managing Editor of the Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values and a regular contributor to public conversations on religion, ethics, and social transformation.
Monsignor Appiah’s vocation unites priestly service and rigorous scholarship, reflecting a sustained commitment to intellectual excellence, ethical inquiry, and the common good.
By Celestine Edem Gbologah//Newswatchgh.com
