Rev. Fr. Ruben Dodzi Awuye has been officially installed as the third Parish Priest of St. Joseph Quasi Parish at Alakple in the Catholic Diocese of Akatsi.
The solemn ceremony, held on March 1, 2026, was presided over by the Vicar General, Rev. Msgr. Peter Huletey, who represented the Diocesan Bishop at the colourful Eucharistic celebration.
The installation Mass was attended by traditional leaders, and a large number of parishioners who witnessed the significant moment in the life of the growing Catholic community in Alakple.
The liturgy was marked by vibrant hymns, fervent prayers, and expressions of thanksgiving for God’s continued guidance of the parish.
In his homily, Msgr. Huletey underscored the sacred responsibility entrusted to a parish priest, describing him as a shepherd called to guide, sanctify and serve the people of God.
He urged Fr. Awuye to perform his pastoral duties with humility, love and dedication, reminding him that priestly leadership is rooted in service and sacrifice.
St. Joseph Church holds a remarkable history within the Keta-Akatsi Diocese. The Catholic faith was first successfully established in Alakple in 1930 after earlier missionary attempts had failed.
Over the decades, the faith community steadily expanded, becoming a beacon of Catholic life in the area.
A major milestone was reached in 2004 when the church building was consecrated and dedicated by the Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, then Bishop of the Diocese and now Emeritus.
The growth of the church continued, culminating in its elevation to a Quasi-Parish on October 2, 2017, by Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi.
Following the elevation, Rev. Fr. Mark Akpene Etsey, who had served as Priest-in-Charge since 2013, became the first Parish Priest of the Quasi-Parish.
Under his leadership, the Church experienced both spiritual renewal and infrastructural development, strengthening its structures and deepening catechetical formation among the faithful.
Subsequent pastoral leadership included Rev. Fr. Michael Doe Gardemor, whose tenure prepared the grounds for continued growth and stability.
The installation of Fr. Awuye therefore represents not only a change in leadership but a continuation of the parish’s steady development within the diocesan framework.
In accepting his new assignment, Fr. Awuye expressed gratitude to the Bishop and the Diocesan administration for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to work collaboratively with parishioners, lay leaders and pastoral councils to advance evangelisation, foster unity and build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessors, entrusting his ministry to the patronage of St. Joseph.
By Daniel Orlando/Damian AvevorÂ
