Sarah Mitchell
Ghana is home to a number of Catholic bishops, who are members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference. This religious organisation is underpinned by the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, which applies universally to all Catholic Churches of the Roman Rite. The Bishops' Conference is the central body of the Church in Ghana, and its role is to discuss issues of relevance to the Church in Ghana and to promote activities that are in line with the needs of the time. While the exact number of Catholic bishops in Ghana is unclear, there are several notable bishops and archbishops, including the first Ghanaian native to become Archbishop of Accra, Dominic Kodwo Andoh.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Bishops in Ghana | Information not found |
| President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference | Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi |
| Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference | Most Rev. |
| First Ghanaian Archbishop of Accra | Dominic Kodwo Andoh |
| Year of Installation of First Ghanaian Archbishop of Accra | 1971 |
| Number of Deaneries in the Archdiocese of Accra | 8 |
| Number of Parishes and Rectories in the Archdiocese of Accra | 62 |
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What You'll Learn
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference
The purpose of the GCBC is to deliberate on matters of concern to the Church in Ghana and to encourage activities that are in line with the needs of the times. All the Bishops in Ghana are members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which has a President and a Vice President. Their term of office is three years, but they can be re-elected for a second term. The current President is Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, while the Vice President is Most Rev.
The GCBC is currently focused on a range of issues, including the promotion of religious freedom, the protection of human life, and the improvement of education and healthcare in Ghana. The Conference also works to foster unity and collaboration among the Catholic dioceses in Ghana, as well as with other Christian denominations and religious groups in the country.
The GCBC holds regular meetings and assemblies to discuss these issues and plan activities. It also publishes pastoral letters, guidelines, and other resources to guide the Catholic community in Ghana. In addition, the GCBC represents the Catholic Church in Ghana in dialogue with the government, civil society, and other religious organisations.
The exact number of Catholic bishops in Ghana is unclear, however, sources list over 20 bishops in Ghana, both living and deceased.
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Archbishops in Ghana
Ghana has eleven dioceses within the Church of the Province of West Africa: Accra, Asante-Mampong, Cape Coast, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Ho, Koforidua, Kumasi, Sekondi, Sunyani, Tamale, and Wiawso. Each internal province elects an archbishop, and from the archbishops, a primate is elected for the province.
The current primate is the Most Reverend Jonathan Hart, Bishop of Liberia. The Bishop of Asante-Mampong, the Right Reverend Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, was elected Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Ghana in January 2021.
Ghana's Catholic Bishops' Conference is a religious organisation with a legal foundation in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, which applies to all Catholic Churches of the Roman Rite worldwide. All the Bishops in Ghana are members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has a President and a Vice President. Their term of office is three years, but they can be re-appointed for a second term. The current President is the Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese.
- Archbishop Dominic Kodwo Andoh—Archbishop Emeritus of Accra
- Archbishop Gregory Eebolawola Kpiebaya—Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale
- Archbishop John Kodwo Amissah—Archbishop of Cape Coast
- Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong—Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi
- Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie—Archbishop of Accra
- Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye—Archbishop of Kumasi
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Bishops in the Diocese of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. It is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiastical province of Accra in Ghana, which includes the suffragan dioceses of Ho, Koforidua, Jasikan, and Keta-Akatsi. The cathedral parish for the archdiocese is the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra is a vibrant community, rich in faith and tradition. It has over 70 basic schools, several second-cycle schools, three seminaries and formation houses, and a university. The first Catholic church in Accra was Sacred Heart Church, which was built under a large empty cocoa shed at Derby Avenue.
The first Archbishop of Accra was Dominic Kodwo Andoh, who was installed in October 1971. He was the third Ordinary for Accra since its establishment as a diocese and the first Ghanaian native to become Archbishop of Accra. In 1992, the Diocese of Koforidua was carved out of Accra by John Paul II, and Accra was elevated to a metropolitan see. Bishop Andoh was then made the metropolitan archbishop. The current Archbishop of Accra is John Bonaventure Kwofie.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference is a religious organization with a legal foundation in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, which applies to all Catholic Churches of the Roman Rite worldwide. All the Bishops in Ghana are members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has a President and a Vice President. The current President is Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, and the Vice President is Most Rev.
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Bishops in the Diocese of Wa
Ghana is home to the Catholic Diocese of Wa, which has had several bishops over the years. Richard Kuuia Cardinal Baawobr, M. Afr. † was a Bishop of Wa, as listed on the Catholic-Hierarchy website. The current Bishop of Wa is Francis Bomansaan, M. Afr.
The Catholic Church in Ghana is formally organized into a hierarchy, with the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference serving as the central body for all the Bishops in the country. This body is led by a President and a Vice President, who are also Bishops themselves.
The Catholic Church in Ghana is a significant presence in the country, with a well-established structure and a dedicated following. The Bishops play a crucial role in guiding and shaping the Church's activities and doctrines, ensuring that they align with the needs of the modern world while remaining true to the Church's fundamental teachings.
The Bishops of Wa have likely played a pivotal role in the Catholic Church's presence and activities in the region, providing spiritual leadership and guidance to their flock. While specific details of their contributions are not readily available, their position as Bishops would have entailed significant responsibilities and influence within the Catholic community of Ghana.
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Bishops in the Diocese of Yendi
The Catholic Diocese of Yendi was established on March 16, 1999, when it was separated from the Archdiocese of Tamale. The diocese's first bishop was Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, SVD, who served from March 16, 1999, until June 3, 2022.
The history of evangelization in the Yendi area dates back to 1910 when Fr. Shoening, a German SVD priest working in what is now the Republic of Togo, visited the region. In 1925, Bishop Herman of the SMA made a 16-day trip to Yendi by bicycle from Kpando. However, from 1928 to 1929, the District Commissioner of Yendi, the Regional Commissioner of Tamale, and the Director of Education in Accra made it clear that they did not approve of Christian presence and activities in Yendi, as the region was reserved for Islam.
In 1930, a change in government policy allowed the Assemblies of God missionaries to work in the Yendi District. Catholic missionaries continued to be excluded until 1932, when they were finally permitted to enter. Unfortunately, Fr. Anthony Smester, SMA, who was appointed Parish Priest, died of fever within a year. From 1948 onwards, Catholic priests Remigius McCoy and Stanislaus Le-Blanc regularly visited Yendi on motorbikes.
Today, the Catholic Diocese of Yendi continues its mission of proclaiming the Gospel to Christians and non-Christians alike, aiming at the evangelization and integral development of all people.
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Frequently asked questions
There are too many Catholic bishops in Ghana to list in full, but sources mention at least 20. All Catholic bishops in Ghana are members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has a President and a Vice President.
The current President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference is Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference is a religious organisation with a legal foundation in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church. Its purpose is to deliberate on matters of concern to the Church in Ghana and to encourage activities in accordance with the needs of the times.
