The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom in Ghana’s Eastern Region, has lauded the efforts of the Department of Social Communications (DEPSOCOM) team of the Vicariate, and assured them of his unflinching support.
The Bishop visited the DEPSOCOM office to abreast himself with the activities of the recently created office.
The DEPSOCOM Office for the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom is located at the Afons Merten’s Centre on the compound of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral at Donkorkrom.
Bishop Asiedu’s visit was timely as some of the newly constituted DEPSOCOM team members were trying out some few gadgets that the Bishop had recently acquired for the office.
The Bishop expressed gratitude and satisfaction to the team for the work they had done so far for the Vicariate despite their limited means.
“I know you lack so many things but already you are working so hard, trying to do with what you have, to make the outside world know about what is happening in the Vicariate.
He added: I am very delighted about that. I just want to say congratulations, kudos for the great work you are doing with your team.”
He, however, lamented on his challenge in getting funds that would enable him set up the Vicariate, the DEPSOCOM office inclusive to a desirable shape.
“We will also try our possible best to see what we can do to equip you, so that your work could be enhanced. We are grateful. Be rest assured the Bishop is with you,’’ he said.
The team members present expressed gratitude for the Bishop’s love and concern towards them and what they are doing for the Vicariate, and promised to continue to put in their possible best.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom was created on June 12, 2007, first as an Apostolic Prefecture, headed by Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD and was later elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate in 2010.
It has eight Parishes on the mainland and 1 island mission which is also considered a parish for the island Stations. The mainland parishes include: Ekye Amanfro, Fori Fori, Maame Krobo, Tease, Samenhyia, Donkorkrom, Amankwakrom and Mary Mother of God Parish, Adeemra.
The Vicariate has at the moment 17 Priests: 8 Diocesan, 7 Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) and 2 Spiritans. There are also a number of Women Religious Congregations, namely: Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit (SSPS), Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC) and the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer (HDR).
Health wise, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate has two Health Centres: Hoy Spirit Poly Clinic at Kwesi Fante and Holy Rosary Health Centre at Amankwakrom.
In terms of Education, there are a number of Catholic Basic Public Schools in Donkorkrom with only two Private-Catholic Basic Schools: St. Joseph School, Maame Krobo and Mater Ecclesia at Kwaekese.
There are two Second Cycle Public-Catholic Schools in the Vicariate: St. Fidelis Senior High Technical College at Tease and St. Mary’s Vocational Technical College, Adeemra.
The inhabitants of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom are cut off from the rest of the country due to limited physical access. The Vicariate is virtually a peninsula cut off on three sides by the Volta Lake and on the fourth by lack of a connecting road to the outside world.
The Vicariate is only accessible by a Ferry, referred to in local parlance as the ‘panthoon’ (a boat for carrying passengers, goods and vehicles) or an engine boat. There is however a mainland road through Maame Krobo – Agogu, which is not very motorable.
There are hundreds of villages on a number of islands. It is estimated that as high as 80% of the population of people in the Afram Plains live below the poverty line. Migration in search of food and income to overcome conditions of poverty tends to disrupt the smooth development of the District, thereby affecting the creation of Parish communities and the growth of the Church.
By: Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate
