Most Rev. Simon Kofi Appiah installed new Bishop of Jasikan Diocese
Most REV. Simon Kofi Appiah has been installed as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan in the Oti Region.
He succeeded Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, who resigned after serving as the first Bishop of the Diocese for 31 years.
The Diocese of Jasikan comprised the administrative districts of Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta and Kete-Krachi and bounded to the north by the Diocese of Yendi, to the South by the Diocese of Ho, to the East by the Republic of Togo and to the West by the Volta Lake.
Last Saturday’s ordination and installation of the Most Rev. Kofi Appiah as the second Bishop was attended by people from all walks of life.
Until his appointment, Bishop Kofi Appiah was an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Human Values, Faculty of Arts at the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region.
Ordination rites
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend Julien Kabore performed the ordination rites and presented the ring, litre and pastoral staff (crozier) to Bishop Kofi Appiah to enable him take full possession of the diocese.
Appointing him, Pope Leo XIV, in a message delivered by Most Rev. Kabore, told the new Bishop to guide the flock with all his strength and spirit through the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Pope appealed to all priests and the congregation for support and love to enable him to carry out the new duty assigned to him.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, commended the Catholic Church for its partnership with the state all these years.
This, the President said, had been through the various educational and health institutions all over the country, as well as in building a resilient society.
Speaking on behalf of the President, the Presidential Envoy for Inter-Faith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, extended the President’s congratulations to the new Bishop on his appointment that came about through hard work and devotion to the church.
The President expressed his satisfaction that the country had stood as a shining example of partnership among Christians, Muslims and other religious institutions.
As such, he expressed the government’s readiness to work with churches to build a prosperous nation.
Delivering the sermon, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, gave the assurance of the support of the Catholic Church in his new appointment.
He told Bishop Kofi Appiah not to be afraid, since the Lord, who had chosen him, would also, through a divine message, always be around to guide him. “Be strong in the Lord and put on his armour and you will succeed in your endeavours”, he said.
In an address, Bishop Kofi Appiah commended the government and the President for their support for the Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church, especially during the episcopal ordination and installation ceremony.
He expressed his utmost gratitude to outgoing Bishop Ababio Mante for his work in building the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan to where it is now and he hoped to continue the new work.
