In a welcome address to the Diocesan Directors of the Department of Social Communication (DEPSOCOM) during their Annual Meeting at the Pastoral and Social Centre, Goaso Diocese in the Ahafo Region of Ghana, the Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso and Episcopal Chair for DEPSOCOM briefed the Directors on the Ecclesiastical status of his Diocese, for the benefit of those who were visiting Goaso for the first time.
According to the Chief Shepherd, the Catholic Diocese of Goaso was established on October 24, 1997, and following his Episcopal Ordination in Rome on January 6, 1998, being Feast of the Epiphany, he was installed in Goaso on February 8 of the same year, as its pioneer Bishop, where he has served till date.
The Bishop underscored that the Goaso Diocese, which emanated partly from Sunyani Diocese and partly from Kumasi Archdiocese, had a modest beginning with just 18 Priests, 8 Parishes, and 1 female Religious Congregation, the Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Sisters.
He celebrated the rising numbers of Priests for the Diocese, who are getting to 100, spread across the now 35 Parishes, with up to 16 male and female Religious Congregations. He expects one or two more Religious Congregations to join the Diocese before the end of 2026.
The Bishop further shared that Goaso Diocese is blessed with 10 Health Institutions and that by the Grace of God, the Diocese will also begin a Minor Seminary at Bechem, with the name: Pope John Paul II Minor Seminary.
Touching on the socio-economic life of the inhabitants of Goaso, Bishop Atuahene revealed that Goaso is predominantly an agricultural area, and many of the people within the Diocese, are into farming. Others are petty traders and a few others are into white-collar jobs.
He further made mention of the Newmont Gold Mining Company at Kenyasi, as the major industry in Goaso Diocese.
As part of their meeting which ran from April 27 to 30, 2026, the DEPSOCOM Directors made a driving tour through the concession area of the Newmont Gold Mining Company and the St. Elizabeth Hospital. They also made a stop-over at the Bishop’s Residence and OLA Senior High School, Kenyasi.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)Â
