The Accra East Grand Commandery of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) has honoured Colonel Sir Paul Kofi Koranteng, KSG, Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, at a Thanksgiving Mass held at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Adenta, Accra.
The honour, contained in a glowing Citation presented to the distinguished Knight, was described as a fraternal salute to a Brother whose life of service has brought honour to the Church in Ghana, to the Noble Order and to the wider community.
The Citation, jointly signed by the Grand President, Brigadier General Samuel Baimbill-Johnson and the Grand Secretary, Colonel Robert Dela Mawuenyegah, noted that some honours are conferred, while others are the recognition of a life faithfully lived in service.
According to the Citation, Col. Sir Koranteng, who was initiated into the Order on 2nd November 2002, has given distinguished service in several capacities — from being the First Recording and Corresponding Secretary of St. John the Evangelist Commandery No. 596, Adenta, through Battalion and Regimental Adjutancy, to Grand Secretary of the erstwhile Accra Grand Commandery in 2011, and presently as Assistant Secretary at the Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Ghana.
He is a Charter Member and current President of St. John the Evangelist Commandery No. 596, Adenta, and an Exalted Knight of the Holy Cross, whose service has reflected the enduring values of faith, fraternity, discipline, unity and Christian charity.
Beyond the Order, the Accra East Grand Commandery lauded his commitment to the Catholic Church and her mission, citing his contribution to the development of KSJI in Kenya, and his translation of the KSJI Constitution and Ritual Booklet into French, which has built bridges across cultures and languages.
The Citation also celebrated his professional accomplishments as a scholar and conference interpreter of international repute with engagements involving the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations, and as Co-Founder of J&P TRANSCOMPUT LTD., demonstrating that professional accomplishment can be placed at the service of faith and humanity.
The honour follows his recent Papal distinction bestowed by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, as a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (KSG). The Grand Commandery clarified that the distinction was not conferred by KSJI, but that the Thanksgiving gathering was to celebrate the broader record of Christian commitment, service and contribution to the growth of the Catholic Church that merited the Papal honour.
In a moving conclusion, the Grand Commandery stated: “We celebrate your achievement. We acknowledge your service. We honour your commitment. We salute your example. May this distinguished recognition be a source of renewed inspiration for you to continue serving with faith, humility, wisdom and generosity.”
The Citation was anchored on 1 Corinthians 15:58 — “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”
Present at the Thanksgiving Mass were Priests, Supreme Subordinate Officers, Grand Officers, Regimental and Battalion Officers, Brothers of Local Commandery No. 596 and Sisters of Ladies’ Auxiliary, Adenta, as well as Brothers and Sisters from other Commanderies and Ladies’ Auxiliaries.
By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah
