Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie (middle), Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, with the newly ordained Catholic priests. With him are Most Rev. John Kobina Louis (right), Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, and Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare (left), Auxiliary Bishop of Accra

Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ordains 12 new priests

Joshua Bediako Koomson Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has ordained 12 deacons into the Holy Priesthood at a solemn ceremony held at the St John the Baptist Parish at Odorkor-Tipper in Accra last Saturday.

The newly ordained priests include seven diocesan clergy and five members from various religious orders - two Franciscans, two Salesians, and a Jesuit.

The diocesan priests are Rev. Fr Isaac Kofi Dunyoh, Rev. Fr Toussaint Wadia Nianza, Rev. Fr Peter Oppong-Ampofo, Rev. Fr Victor Yaw Ampim, Rev. Fr Fredrick Asante Owusu, Rev. Fr Roland Rosamunda Kwupoli Kajelo and Rev Fr. Michael N.A. Owusu-Amponsah.

The religious order priests are Rev. Friar Emmanuel Sor and Rev. Friar Aaron Melchizedek (Franciscans), Rev. Fr Nicodemus Besigrinee, SDB, and Rev. Fr Stephen Mensah Teye, SDB (Salesians), and Rev. Fr Thomas Edem Djabaku, SJ (Jesuit).

Rites of ordination

The candidates were taken through the traditional rites of ordination, which included the presentation and election of candidates, consent of the congregation, examination, promise of obedience, the laying on of hands, prayer of consecration, investiture with stole and chasuble, anointing of hands, and the kiss of peace.

Pastoral assignments

Following their ordination, the priests received their pastoral assignments with Rev. Fr Frederick Asante Owusu posted to St Francis of Assisi, Ashaley Botwe; Rev. Fr Isaac Kofi Dunyoh to St Dominic Savio, Afienya; Rev. Fr Peter Oppong-Ampofo to St Joseph the Worker, Tema Comm. 8; Rev. Fr Toussaint Nianza Wadia to St Benedict, Ofankor; Rev. Fr Michael N.A. Owusu-Amponsah to the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka; Rev. Fr Victor Yaw Ampim to St Bakhita, Community 20, Lashibi, and Rev. Fr Roland Kajelo to St. Peter Claver, Ada Foah.

For the religious priests, Rev. Friar Aaron Melchizedek was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Friary, Saltpond; Rev. Friar Emmanuel Sor to St. Anthony of Padua Friary, Elmina; while Rev. Fr Nicodemus Besigrinee, SDB, Rev. Fr Stephen Mensah Teye, SDB, and Rev. Fr Thomas Edem Djabaku, SJ, were posted to Rome, the United Kingdom, and Lagos, respectively.

Archbishop’s charge to newly ordained

In his homily, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, encouraged the newly ordained to view the priesthood not as a position of comfort but a call to sacrificial service.

He urged priests to be active and committed to their mission, cautioning against idleness.

He emphasised that the youth were attracted to the priesthood when they saw the clergy who were prayerful, hardworking, and immersed in the lives of the people they served.

He mentioned that seminarians and priests alike must uphold truth and integrity, especially in the age of social media.

“Fearless Catholics must use social platforms to evangelise, not to promote lies or unfulfilled dreams,” he said.

Archbishop Kwofie also addressed the wider Christian community, expressing concern over the declining church attendance among the youth and urging a renewed commitment to communal worship.

“In an era where people say, I believe in God but not in the Church, we must remind them that the church is not only a place of worship, but a family, a community of believers that encourages one another towards salvation,” he stressed.