Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 12 April 2006, appointed Bishop of Koforidua (Ghana) Rev. Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum until now diocesan Administrator.
Bishop elect Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum was born on 22 December 1954 at Akimu Swedru in the diocese of Koforidua. He was ordained a priest on 17 July 1983 for the diocese of Accra and transferred to Koforidua diocese when it was created in 1992. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1983-85: assistant priest at Accra Cathedral; 1985-86: parish priest at St. Peter's parish in Osu; 1986- 92: doctorate in Liturgical Studies at the Pontifical College of S. Anselmo in Rome; 1992-93: parish priest at St. George’s parish, Koforidua; administrator of the cathedral and vicar general of Koforidua diocese; since 2005 diocesan administrator.
Koforidua diocese was created in 1992, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Accra. It has an area of 19,323 sq mt., a population of 2,500,000 of whom 201,500 are Catholics, gathered in 22 parishes looked after by , 76 priests (50 diocesan, 4 Fidei donum and 22 religious), 15 Brothers, 77 women religious, 30 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/4/2006; Righe 17; Parole 224)
