AFRICA/GHANA - Appointment of the Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On July 3, 2014, the Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. John Bonaventure Kwofie C.S.Sp., already provincial superior of the Congregation of West Africa, as Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi (Ghana).
The Bishop-elect was born on April 26, 1958 in Powa, in the Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi. He studied philosophy at the PP. Spiritans in Isienu Nsukka, Nigeria (1981-1983). From 1983 to 1984 he completed his pastoral year at the Holy Rosary parish in Suema, in the Archdiocese of Kumasi in Ghana. In the years 1984-1988 he studied Theology at St. Paul's Seminary in Gbanga in Liberia.
He professed his religious vows on August 2, 1987 and was ordained a priest on July 23, 1988 in Kumasi.
After his ordination he has held a number of pastoral roles: 1988-1989: Collaborator at the St. Joseph parish, Diocese of Banjul in Gambia; 1989-1991: Vicar of the “Sacred Heart” parish in Banjul, Gambia; 1991-1995: Studies in Rome, licentiate in sacred scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome; 1995-2004: Vice president of the Conference of Major Superiors for Africa for two terms; 1995-2001: provincial superior of the Congregation of West Africa; 1995-2002: pastoral commitment in the parishes of St. John in Bohyen-Bamtama and Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Kumasi; 2001-2004: Provincial Superior of the Congregation for West Africa; 2002-2004: pastoral service at St. Catherine Parish and St. Maurice Parish in the Archdiocese of Accra; 2003-2005: Elected Continental Coordinator of the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa; 2004-2012: First assistant of the Superior General of the Congregation. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 05/07/2014)