The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate in the Kwahu Afram Plains, Eastern Region of Ghana, has reflected on his recent trip to the Lake Mission, describing it as “successful” though with some “inconveniences”.
In an interview with the Department of Social Communications (DEPSOCOM) of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, in his office on February 23, 2026, he shared passionately on the successes of the trip, some challenges encountered, and prospects for future trips.
The Bishop and his entourage had left Donkorkrom on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to travel to Bruben, where they boarded a Commercial boat to Germani, a journey of approximately 4 hours on the Lake. From Germani, they took another boat to Galilia, about 40 minutes away, along with some passengers who were bringing their goods to the market. At Galilia, they were joined on the boat by other faithful who were to be part of the programmes at Battorkope, the final destination, where most of the Pastoral activities took place. They returned to Donkorkrom on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The Chief Shepherd described his pastoral experience at the Lake mission as a “very successful” one because he was able to “use one stone to kill several birds,” meaning that it was possible for the first time to bring together three different groups for three different programmes.
To him, such an arrangement not only made life easier, as he could easily navigate from one group to the other to share some thoughts, but it also helped cut down costs; otherwise, it would have meant undertaking three different trips to the Lake Mission, which would have been very costly for the struggling Vicariate.
The three-in-one programme included: the Missionary Childhood, the Catechists, and the Christian Mothers Association. The Bishop shared the firm belief that all three groups had a very successful encounter, and the children, above all, were very happy.
He further celebrated the presence of up to 5 Priests on the trip, as well as the Religious, who were able to support in various ways.
The Chief Shepherd further revealed in the interview that the Vicariate couldn’t charter a private boat for the trip, as had been the case in past years, largely due to financial constraints, as he noted that it would have been “very expensive”, considering the route they took, so they had no option than to go with the Commercial boat with all the other passengers.
Though inconveniencing for the Bishop and his Pastoral team journeying with other people heading for the market with all kinds of stuff in the boat, “It was another experience,” he remarked. He particularly celebrated the fact that this time, they were all clad in their life jackets, thanks to the generosity of some concerned benefactors, which made their trip even more pleasurable and relaxing. “We were all happy, very much at peace and relaxed,” he admitted.
However, if he had his way, the Bishop would have preferred that they went in their own charted boat, as this would have allowed them to go from one place to the other at their own time and pace, and get to spend more quality time with the various communities and villages along the lake, which is what the people have always desired – to meet the Bishop and the Priests. “This helps to boost their morale,” he noted, lamenting that such was not possible due to the nature of their travelling on a commercial boat. They were left with no option but to converge at one place (Battorkope), where the people came to meet them.
For the future, Bishop Asiedu looked forward to getting some financial support from people of goodwill, which could enable them get their own boat for trips to the Lake Mission, maintaining that it would go a long way to boost the Lake Mission Apostolate.
“So we will be very grateful to God and to benefactors who will be able to support us in that direction; that will be very much welcomed,” he appealed.
The Bishop was accompanied on the trip to the Lake Mission by the Very Rev. Fr. Leopold Ettuh, Chancellor of the Vicariate and Director of Catechetics, Rev. Fr. Dionisius Kopong OLA, SVD, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Freinademetz Parish, Ekye-Amanfrom, who doubles as Director of the Missionary Childhood, Sr. Francisca Kumevor, SMMC, Coordinator of the Missionary Childhood, Rev. Fr. Coleman Aloysius Akrereke Getor, CSSp, Parish Priest of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, Samanhyia, who is also in charge of the Christian Mothers Association (CMA) of the Vicariate, and Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo, Assisting Priest at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, and also part of the DEPSOCOM team. Some lay faithful were also part of the team.
Rev. Fr. Mathias Kudzo Yadar, SVD, Priest in charge of the Lake Mission, had left Donkorkrom weeks earlier to prepare for the Bishop’s visit.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
