Lecturer at KNUST ordained Bishop of Sunyani Anglican Diocese

Sunyani (B/A), Oct. 26, GNA - The Reverend Canon Dr. Festus Yeboah-Asuamah, a Sociology Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has been ordained, consecrated and enthroned as the third Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sunyani in Brong Ahafo. Rev. Canon Yeboah-Asuamah, immediate past Parish Priest of St. Mary's Anglican Church at Chirapatre Estate in Kumasi, took over from Right Rev. Thomas Ampah Brient, who retired as the second Bishop of the Diocese on December 20, 2008, after 11 years pastoral duty.

The colourful and joyous ceremony attracted dignitaries and members of the church from far and near including Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and Most Reverend Dr. Peter Kwasi Sarpong (Rtd), Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi. Most Rev. Dr. Justice Ofei Akrofi, Archbishop of the Anglican Archdiocese of Accra and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa, performed the ceremony, assisted by Ghanaian Anglican Bishops, both retired and those in active service. In a sermon, he asked the new Bishop not to forget to count on his predecessors for advice and directives for effective and stable administration.

Most Rev. Akrofi urged him to imitate Jesus Christ, the master server, and to offer himself as a good and selfless shepherd committed to duty for the spiritual nourishment and socio-economic well-being of the "flock" and the larger society.

Most Rev. Akrofi entreated Right Rev. Yeboah-Asuamah not to be too anxious for recognition as a Bishop and advised him to be humble but bold, transparent, fair and firm in the discharge of his duties, saying "walk your talk by responding yes or no as and when necessary". He said the new Bishop had been commissioned to lead the Anglican community in Sunyani and for a greater impact on the society, "you and your flock must religiously abide by the principles and ethics of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Vineyard". The Archbishop reminded members and workers of the diocese not to renege on their pledge of support to the Bishop and called for their cooperation and unity, which he said, were symbols of progress and success of any human endeavour. Right Rev. Dr. Yeboah-Asuamah is not only a clergyman but an academician, with a wide local and international experience. He went to the Opoku Ware Secondary, now Senior High School, then to the KNUST, the University of Ghana, International Theological Seminary and Loyola Marymount University, both in Los Angeles, California in the United States of America, and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).