The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Ghana’s Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate in the Kwahu Afram Plains, Eastern Region of Ghana, has appreciated the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR) Congregational Development Officer, Sr. Angela Akeje, for helping to fund projects in the Vicariate-owned Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom, and beyond.
He made this known during the April 28, 2025, audience of the Development Officer with him in his office at Donkorkrom.
Addressing Sr. Akeje, who had come from Ireland to monitor completed and ongoing MSHR-funded projects in the Vicariate, the Bishop expressed gratitude to the Holy Rosary Sisters, who, through their Development Office, had done, and still continue to do so much for the growth of the Vicariate.
“I am happy and thankful to God,” he appreciated and prided himself for being the only Bishop in Ghana, “at least, as of now,” with the Holy Rosary Sisters. He remarked that the Sisters had been very helpful, and are very much involved in the life of the Vicariate, and people speak very highly of them.
“The intervention of the Holy Rosary Congregation through the Sisters here has been enormous, and I am very grateful”, he applauded.
He expressed that all the projects that the Vicariate has been able to embark on, through the Holy Rosary Sisters, are “very key projects that touch on the core of our mission, especially health care and education”.
“It is a blessing having these two going together still,” he celebrated.
Not limiting his scope to the “beautiful things” the Sisters have done at the Health Centre at Amankwakrom, the Bishop also celebrated the Holy Rosary School project, owned by MSHR which falls within the missionary plan of the Vicariate and serving the educational needs of the local Church as well.
He said that he is always happy to hear and read about the school, and also accepts invitations to the MSHR-owned school. He added that the school stands out as one of the Catholic schools in the Vicariate. We are grateful for that initiative,” he appreciated.
Bishop Asiedu further revealed that in terms of his relationship with the Holy Rosary Sisters, as far as their work in the Vicariate is concerned, there is no problem when it has to do with communication, discussions, dialogue, and others.
“They know that not only is the door to my office very open, but the door to my heart is also very open to them,” he disclosed.
Adding, he said, “I am a Bishop; I am not a health worker; I am not a nurse,” hence he wouldn’t take any decision or interfere without first discussing with them on areas concerning their work. Rather, he looked forward to even better ways of “collaborating and supporting one another”.
He was deeply grateful to Sr. Akeje for the visit, which he said would help them evaluate themselves whether they were on track or not, as far as MSHR and donor expectations of the projects were concerned, and seek ways of correcting their lapses, if any.
Sr. Akeje, who was on her maiden visit to the Afram Plains, expressed deep joy at visiting, which for her made a great difference between what she saw on paper and the reality.
“When they write to me about the bad roads, on which they have to transport patients for referral and the length of time they spend waiting for the panthoon (ferry), and then me coming to wait at the riverside for over an hour for the panthoon and plying this road, I say it was worthwhile coming,” she admitted.
She applauded the Bishop for his profound simplicity and great affability, and cooperation, which she said helps the Sisters to collaborate better with him. According to her, the Bishop is “exceptional,” especially in terms of providing recommendation letters to the Sisters for projects and others.
Sr. Nkechi Oraebosi Caroline, Regional Leader of the Holy Rosary Sisters in Ghana, who doubles as In-charge of, and Physician Assistant at the Vicariate-owned Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom, accompanied the Congregational Development Officer to meet the Bishop.
She said: “It is the hand that Bishop Asiedu has given to us that we are leaning on to do what we are doing”.
According to her, Bishop Asiedu is “human, and a father; so free and simple”. He is generous to the core; both with his time and resources, and his genuine sense of understanding eases the work of the Sisters, she confessed, admitting that they were comfortable working with him.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
