The Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kweku Essien, Bishop Emeritus of Wiawso Diocese has reminded the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese that leadership was a calling that requires that one should be a steward who hold accountability in high esteem.
In a remark during a Mass at the Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral at Sefwi Wiawso on Saturday, February 3, 2024 in his honour to thank God for his 23 years of Episcopacy, he stressed the need for the Clergy and Laity to ensure accountability at all times to build confidence and trust in those they are serving.
The Emeritus Bishop counselled Priests to be accountable to their parishioners by rendering accounts of Church monies and donations to avoid being accused of misappropriation of Church funds.
He also urged the Laity to ensure accountability in the Church, societies and groups they belonged to, lamenting that due to unaccountability, some Church institutions were no more in operation in the Diocese.
He reminded the people of God that it was a requirement to properly receipt funds and keep proper records for accountability, adding, accountability builds trust as well as motivates people to contribute more without hesitation.
The Thanksgiving Mass held at the Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral at Sefwi Wiawso on Saturday, February 3, 2024 was presided over by Bishop Essien himself and concelebrated by the Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah-Boateng, Bishop of Wiawso and scores of Priests including two class mates of Bishop Essien.
Bishop Emeritus Essien thanked the Chiefs and Elders of Wiawso for their unflinching support to the Diocese when it was created in 1999, noting that their donation of parcels of land to the Church had helped the progress of the Diocese.
“We are grateful to our Chiefs, where there is a Catholic Church in the Diocese, the Chiefs supported us, a gesture which indeed needs to be appreciated,” he stated.
He thanked God for the increase in priesthood and expressed gratitude to the Priests and Religious for their love for the work of God during his 23 years of episcopacy, urging them to give same support to his successor, Bishop Nkuah-Boateng.
He expressed gratitude to Catechists for their voluntary sacrifices to the Diocese, encouraging them to continue to work for God in spite of the fact that they were not paid.
To the lay people, he acknowledged them for their love for the Diocese through their financial support amd participation in church activities, urging them to always have the “can do spirit”.
The Wiawso Diocesan Priests Association presented a Citation to Bishop Emeritus Essien which eulogised him for his services and love to the Priests and the Diocese as a whole.
There were various presentations to the Bishop Emeritus from Parishes, Societies, groups and institutions to purposely thank him as s Good Shepherd.
Bishop Emeritus Essien was born on November 28, 1945 at Nkroful, near Sekondi to Joseph Kobina Essien and Helena Krah (Nana Nwewa) both of blessed memory.
He had his second cycle education at Fijai Secondary School from 1961 to 1966 and proceeded to St. Teresa’s Minor Seminary, Amisano, Elmina, in 1969 and completed in 1971. In the same year, he entered the St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu, Cape Coast, during which he studied Philosophy and Theology and completed in 1977.
After his successful completion, he was ordained as a Priest by the Most Rev. Joseph Amihere Essuah on July 10, 1977 for the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese. After his ordination, he worked as an Assisting Priest at St. Agatha Parish, Sefwi Asafo from 1977 to 1980. He was transferred to the Star of the Sea Cathedral Parish, Takoradi as an Assisting Priest from 1980 to 1981.
In 1981, he went to the Ghana Military Academy upon the recommendation of the Most Rev. Charles Kweku Sam, then bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese. He successfully passed out from the Military Academy in 1982 and was commissioned in the same year as a Lieutenant.
He served as a chaplain in the Ghana Armed Forces from 1982 to 1999 at the following places: 6 Garrison, Tamale (1982 – 1987), Second Battalion of Infantry (2Bn) Apremdo, Takoradi (1987 – 1990) and from 1990 to 1999, General Headquarters Burma Camp, Accra.
By Damian Avevor (Sefwi Wiawso)
