The President made the commitment through the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, who represented him at the installation of Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, as the first Bishop of the newly established Catholic Diocese of Donkorkrom.
The installation, held over the weekend, marked a historic milestone for the Catholic community in Donkorkrom, the Afram Plains and surrounding areas.
Speaking on behalf of President Mahama, Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said the creation of the new diocese and the installation of its first bishop represented the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic faithful in the area.
He described the occasion as more than the installation of a bishop, saying it was a significant moment in the history and spiritual development of the community.
He congratulated Bishop Asiedu, the clergy, religious leaders and members of the new diocese, as well as the wider Catholic Church in Ghana, on the milestone.
Church's contribution
Mr Afriyie-Ankrah also highlighted the Catholic Church’s longstanding contribution to Ghana’s development, particularly in education, healthcare, social services, vocational training, peacebuilding and the promotion of justice and human dignity.
He noted that national development went beyond the construction of roads and other physical infrastructure, stressing the importance of values such as discipline, integrity, compassion and service.
According to him, government could not single-handedly build the Ghana citizens desire, making the contribution of families, responsible citizens, principled leaders and faith communities essential.
He said President Mahama remained committed to strengthening cooperation between the government and all faith communities as part of efforts to promote national development.
Religion as a force for unity
The Presidential Envoy further called on Ghanaians to view the country’s religious diversity as a source of unity rather than division.
He said differences in religious beliefs should serve as bridges for peace, mutual understanding and national cohesion rather than create barriers among citizens.
Mr Afriyie-Ankrah expressed confidence that Bishop Asiedu would lead the new Diocese of Donkorkrom with humility, wisdom and compassion.
He said the new Bishop had an important role to play in strengthening the faith of the Catholic community, promoting unity and inspiring the younger generation.
He concluded with optimism about Ghana’s future, saying the country could achieve a peaceful, prosperous and united society through responsible leadership, collective effort and faith.
The Diocese of Donkorkrom was recently elevated from an Apostolic Vicariate to a full Catholic diocese, with Bishop Asiedu becoming its first local ordinary.
