The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has commended the Bishop of the Ho Diocese, Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, for a decade of selfless and faith-driven leadership that has strengthened both the Catholic Church and the moral fabric of Ghana.
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, during a Thanksgiving Mass to mark Bishop Fianu’s 10th Episcopal Anniversary, the Chief of Staff described the prelate’s ministry as “a shining example of how faith can be translated into service.”
“Through his humility, compassion, and sense of duty, he has touched lives far beyond the pulpit and strengthened the moral fibre of our nation,” Hon Afriyie Ankrah quoted Mr Debrah as saying.
The Chief of Staff lauded Bishop Fianu for promoting spiritual growth, moral renewal, and social transformation across the Ho Diocese, adding that his leadership had brought hope and stability to many.
“At a time when our nation faces many challenges, we must hold firmly to the virtues of honesty, unity, and hard work,” he said. “The Church must continue to be the conscience of our society—promoting truth, compassion, and justice in all things.”
Debrah also called for renewed commitment toward completing the Ho-Bankoe Cathedral Project, describing it as a symbol of faith and unity for the people of the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.
“The Cathedral is more than a building; it is a living symbol of our collective faith,” he said. “It will stand as a testimony to what we can achieve together when we place God at the centre of our endeavours.”
He urged the Church to continue extending its mission beyond worship to active service, focusing on uplifting the poor, feeding the hungry, and supporting the vulnerable.
“We must be a people who not only worship but also work to uplift the poor, feed the hungry, and comfort those in despair,” he said. “Let us be fruitful, let us replenish the earth, and let us care for those whom society often forgets.”
Mr Debrah reaffirmed government’s partnership with the Church in national development, particularly in the areas of education, health care, and moral transformation. “The Church has always been a pillar of social progress,” he said. “Your schools, hospitals, and community outreach programmes continue to make a profound difference in the lives of millions of Ghanaians.”
In his homily, Bishop Fianu expressed deep gratitude to God and to the Catholic faithful for their support during his ten years of episcopal service. He reflected that his journey had taught him that true leadership in the Church means walking with the people of God “not ahead of them, but beside them.”
“Our mission is to serve, to heal, and to bring hope,” he said. “Faith must bear fruit in love. The Church must be the hand that wipes tears, the voice that speaks for the voiceless, and the heart that beats for peace and justice.”
The ceremony, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Ho, drew clergy, traditional leaders, government officials, and parishioners from across the country, all of whom gathered to celebrate Bishop Fianu’s decade of dedicated service to God and humanity.
