During the 50th priestly anniversary celebration of Rev. Msgr. Jonathan Thomas Ayikai Ankrah on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Madam Tamara Amina Sulemana, National President of the Catholic Organisation for Social and Religious Advancement (COSRA), acknowledged the founder’s transformative leadership and enduring mentorship.
According to Madam Tamara, Monsignor Ankrah is a leader of audacity who identified a gap in the Church and filled it by founding COSRA 56 years ago to promote social and religious activities among youth.
She said, “Monsignor Ayikai had a belief that where others saw a space, he saw a masterpiece waiting to be filled with talents. Monsignor, you did not just build an organisation; you cultivated a family, a mission, a legacy.”
She outlined the organisation’s impact to the church, noting that it instils values of obedience, discipline, humility, and service that have produced numerous Church leaders and professionals.
In her message, Madam Sulemana also noted COSRA’s evolution into a significant force in Ghana and beyond, visible through charitable works, pastoral activities, and youth development.
“True leaders do not just create a path, they lead a new race for others to know of,” she quoted, acknowledging Monsignor Ankrah’s visionary leadership role in building not just an organisation but a family.
She added, “For the pastoral youth, knowing Monsignor Jonathan Thomas, I highly believe that it is to understand what true mentorship looks like. Your doors have always been open, your wisdom always freely given”.
She expressed gratitude to both living and deceased founding members and commended Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Casmir Gosu and his parishioners for the care and support of Monsignor Ankrah.
“Monsignor, we are very proud of you. Monsignor, we wish you a happy 80th birthday and a 50th Christy anniversary. We wish you God’s protection, good health, and more chapters of the incredible story you started”, she concluded.
Founded in 1970 by Monsignor Jonathan Thomas Ayikai Ankrah, the Catholic Organisation for Social and Religious Advancement (COSRA) has been a vibrant Catholic lay organization in Ghana that undertakes various social and spiritual activities in the church.
COSRA carries out activities including works of charity, blood donations to save lives, spiritual conferences, mentoring the youth in all levels among others.
By: Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatch
