As part of his three-day visit to the Catholic Diocese of Wiawso, His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, the Most Rev. Julien Kabore, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, paid a visit to the St. John of God Hospital at Sefwi Asafo in the Wiawso Diocese, established in 1956 by the Brothers of St. John of God.
The Nuncio was accompanied by the Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah-Boateng, Bishop of Wiawso Diocese; Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Asante, the Vicar General; Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Darko, Wiawso Diocesan Director of Communication and Parish Priest of St. Benedict Parish at Sefwi Bekwai, and some other Priests and Religious.
The Nuncio’s entourage was welcomed by Bro. Stephen Opku, Director of the St. John of God Hospital, also took them round all the hospital facilities, including the wards.
Touched by the lives of patients in the wards, the Nuncio prayed for their quick healing and entrusted them to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He appreciated the hospital administration and staff for their good works and encouraged them to continue to see their work as a healing ministry.
Established in 1956 by the Brothers of St. John of God at Sefwi Asafo, Western North Region of Ghana, St. John of God Hospital began as a small clinic taking over a Dutch missionary building. It has grown into a vital, 150-bed Catholic institution, serving as a key rural healthcare provider and referral centre.
The Brothers arrived in 1956, establishing a strong presence in the rural area. The clinic grew into a benchmark hospital, expanding to over 100 beds over the following decades. In 2016, the hospital inaugurated a new accident and emergency unit, significantly improving local emergency medical care.
Supported by international partners like MOTEC LIFE-UK and foundations, the facility has expanded to include a laboratory, pharmacy, and a 3-storey staff bungalow to address rural staffing challenges.
The facility operates under the Catholic Health Service Trust, managing roughly 6,000 admissions and 90,000 outpatients annually.
The hospital operates in a challenging, rural setting, but it is crucial for providing healthcare to those far from city hospitals. The geographical location of St. John of God Hospital, Sefwi-Asafo, calls for readiness to provide prompt care to our clients.
The hospital has a vision to be a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery in Wiawso Municipality, its surroundings, and Ghana as a whole. Its Core values are HOSPITALITY, RESPECT, SPIRITUALITY, QUALITY, and RESPONSIBILITY.
The Mission of the hospital springs from the Christian values and holistic approach advocated and practiced by its Founder, St. John of God. We respond to the needs in society without discrimination. As a hospital, the authorities try to meet these Needs by promoting the physical and spiritual well-being of the people we serve by offering health services in General Medical Care to all People who need our services, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
By Damian Avevor (Wiawso Diocese)
