The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, until then Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has recently been installed as the First Bishop of the newly erected Donkorkrom Diocese.
The August 8, 2026 Installation which began with a Pre-Eucharistic Ceremony, followed by the Holy Mass officiated by Bishop Asiedu, in the the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, had as its special guest of honour, His Excellency Julien Kabore, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, who took the homily at the Mass.
Ten (10) other Ghanaian Bishops were present at the Installation Ceremony, and concelebrated at the Mass, together with other Priests from within and outside the Diocese. The Bishops present were: Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, the First Apostolic Vicar of the then Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate, and now Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of Ho, Most Rev. Matthew Yitiereh, Bishop of Yendi, Most Rev. Simon Kofi Appiah, Bishop of Jasikan, Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, Bishop Emeritus of Jasikan, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier, Bishop of Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., Bishop of Wa and Most Rev. Dominic Yeboah Nyarko, Bishop of Techiman.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, and his two Auxilliaries: Most Rev. John Kobina Louis and Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, who could not be present, were ably represented by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu Casimir, Parish Priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Dansoman, Accra, and a son of the soil.
The Pre-Eucharistic Ceremony featured cultural displays by the students of St. Mary’s Vocational/Technical Senior High School, Adeemmra and recitals on the History of the Diocese by the Cathedral CYO amongst others.
In a homliy during the Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio explained the significance of the installation of a bishop, saying that it is the liturgical act by which the Bishop takes canonical possession of his diocese and begins his ministry as its diocesan bishop. He further expressed that the central symbol of the Installation of a bishop is the “Cathedra”: the bishop’s chair, from which the word “Cathedral” is derived. During the ceremony, the bishop is led to the cathedra and he takes his seat, signifying that he has assumed responsibility as the shepherd of that local Church.
He maintained that the installation of the first Bishop of Donkorkrom does not mark the beginning of his episcopal ministry, since he was already a bishop. Rather, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the local Church.
“An Apostolic Vicariate has become a Diocese, a visible sign that the Gospel has taken deep root, that the Church has grown in faith and maturity, and that she is ready to continue her mission as a fully established Diocese within the communion of the universal Church,” he commended.
The Nuncio based his reflection on the living presence of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who never abandons His flock and who continues, in every age, to guide His Church with the same love with which He laid down His life upon the Cross.
He opined that the first Shepherd of every Diocese, including Donkorkrom, is Jesus Christ Himself, from whom every bishop receives his ministry, exercises it in His name and is called each day to become an ever more transparent image of the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name and lays down His life for them.
“If we lose sight of Christ, every ministry becomes an office, but if Christ remains at the centre, every ministry becomes a path of holiness and an instrument of salvation,” he buttressed.
The Apostolic Nuncio lauded the efforts of the early missionaries to Donkorkrom, including priests, religious and catechists who, through years of prayer, sacrifice and missionary dedication, prepared the grounds for the present moment. They persevered under demanding conditions, and the countless faithful whose simple but steadfast faith has allowed the seed of the Gospel to grow and bear fruit.
“This day will remain forever inscribed in the history of the Church in Ghana. Future generations will look back upon this celebration as the beginning of a new chapter in the life of this local Church. From now on, all ecclesiastical circumscriptions in Ghana are dioceses, which mean that the Church has reached his maturity, at the eve of the 150 jubilee of the arrival of the first missionaries,” he celebrated, conveying the paternal blessings of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, on the faithful.
Underscoring that the mission entrusted to the Donkorkrom Diocese belongs to the whole people of God, and not the Bishop alone, the Nuncio urged priests who are meant to be the Bishop’s closest collaborators to remain united around him with generous hearts. “Your communion with him will become a powerful witness to the faithful entrusted to your care,” he reiterated, adding that nothing strengthens the Church more than priests who pray together, work together and support one another with genuine fraternity.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Most Reverend Gabriel Edoe Kumodji, first Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom and the Consecrated men and women, who through prayer, education, healthcare, charitable service and silent witness, continue to offer their lives generously for the Kingdom of God, reminding the Church that Christ alone is sufficient.
He was equally indebted to the Catechists, whose heroic dedication, faith, perseverance and love for the Church over the years, and their availability to carry the Gospel to places where priests could visit only occasionally, has brought the local Church to its present state. He urged them to continue the noble mission of evangelization with renewed zeal.
Not leaving out the lay faithful, Archbishop Kabore reminded them that the future of the Diocese depends greatly upon them. By virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, they are not merely recipients of pastoral care, but active participants in the mission of Christ, he stated.
He further encouraged the young people to respond generously to vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, maintaining that a young Diocese like Donkorkrom needs generous vocations. Families have the task to pray for such vocations and create conducive atmospheres in which such vocations could flourish with joy and freedom, he added.
Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of the day presenting the image of a grain of wheat: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,” the prelate maintained there is no authentic discipleship without self-giving, no lasting evangelization without sacrifice, and no Resurrection without the Cross. Hence, every missionary, every priest, every religious, every catechist, every Christian family and every bishop is called to become that grain of wheat which willingly gives itself so that others may live.
Making further reference to Saint Dominic, known for his tireless efforts in teaching the Gospel truth, whose Memorial coincided with the Installation, the Nuncio upheld that truth without charity could become harsh, but charity without truth loses its saving power. “The Church always needs pastors, priests and faithful who love the truth because they first love Christ, and who proclaim the truth with humility because they first love those to whom they are sent,” he underpinned.
The Entrance Procession of the Installation Mass featured the symbolic and solemn kneeling of the First Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese at the back of the Cathedral for some minutes, as he kissed the Crucifix presented to him by the Cathedral Administrator, flanked by the other bishops.
At the start of the Mass, there was the ritual of ushering the First Bishop to his Cathedra by some of the Bishops, and accompanied by the “Adowa” dance troope of St. Mary’s Senior High, Adeemmra. This was swiftly followed by the paying of allegiance to the newly installed Bishop by all Priests, Religious working in the Diocese and selected lay faithful from across the Parishes.
Some Goodwill Messages were presented at the end of the Mass by: His Excellency Julien Kabore, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, on behalf of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Very Rev. Fr. Andrews Aboagye Obeng, Provincial Superior of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), Ghana-Liberia Province, on behalf of the Father General, Very Rev. Fr. Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro, SVD; the Religious Society to which Bishop Asiedu belongs.
There was also a Goodwill Message presented by the Presidential envoy, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, and the Chiefs’ representative, all accompanied by monetary gifts to support the new Diocese. Other Goodwill Messages could easily be accessed from the Installation Booklet.
In a Thank You Message which he captioned in the words of Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give the glory Because of your faithful love and constancy,” the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, First Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese, expressed profound gratitude to God for making the dream of becoming a Diocese by the only Vicariate in Ghana, come true.
The Bishop rendered sincere gratitude to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, whose confidence in him led to his appointment as the First Diocesan Bishop of the New Diocese of Donkorkrom.
He was equally indebted to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Julien Kabore, for his guidance, immense support and encouragement which contributed greatly to the Solemn celebration of the Installation, and brought great happiness and joy to the people of the Kwahu Afram Plains.
His brother Archbishops and Bishops were not left out in the litany of thanks, as they have been true friends and companions all the way. He thanked all the Priests, Consecrated Persons and lay faithful for coming to pray with and for him, most especially his close collaborators working in the Diocese for their sacrifices and dedication.
Bishop Asiedu expressed heartfelt sentiments to all invited guests, including the special delegation from the Presidency and Traditional Leaders for responding to the invitation and coming to grace the occasion, and for their financial support.
He was also thankful to Representatives of other Christian Churches and Faith Communities, all Benefactors and Donors, whose generous contributions have brought the Cathedral building to the state it is, and for their kind and generous contributions towards the success of the Installation ceremony.
He was grateful to the security service personnel for ensuring the safety of the people and for maintaining order before and during the Installation.
The Bishop thanked the Choir for taking out time to practice well for the occasion, and for putting up a beautiful performance at the Installation Mass, the Readers, Urshers, Altar Servers, for their unique roles during the day’s celebration.
He expressed deep appreciation to the artisans, the various workers from far and near, who dedicated their time, energy and expertise day and night to put the Cathedral Church in good shape to enhance the celebration, to everyone present, including the online community.
The First Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese humbly solicited for continued prayers; that he may faithfully fulfil the ministry entrusted to him and lead God’s people with Wisdom, Humility, Charity, and Fidelity.
Dignitaries present at the Installation Mass were the Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, together with his entourage consisting of Local Government representatives, Members of Parliament and Heads of Departments and Institutions within the Afram Plains, Traditional Leaders, Representatives of other Christian Churches and Faith Communities, the Divisional and District Police Commanders, Security Service personnel, the Knights and Ladies of St. John from Accra, led by Sir John Kluh, a benefactor of the Cathedral.
Also present were Rev. Fr. Dennis Pam, M.Afr., Vice President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana, representing the Conference and Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, immediate past Provincial Superior of the SVDs, Ghana-Liberia Province, who was very instrumental to the preparation and execution of the Installation Liturgy, and emceed the Installation Mass, amongst other invitees.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Diocese)
