VERY REV. FR. ELISHA MANU

Name of Parish: St. Joseph
Location: Bechem
Name of Priest: Frs. Elisha Manu, - PP, Bernard Sarpong (Associate), (Rev. Fr. Stephen Danso – In Residence)

Outstations: Mansin, Breme, Bofoaka, Kwasu, Ohianimguase, Abesewa, Mansopa.
Contacts: Box 5

HISTORY OF ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, BECHEM

The St Joseph’s Catholic Church of Bechem is the oldest parish in the whole of Ahafo area of the then Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. Like the beginnings of many great establishments, it was formally started in 1926 by a small group of twenty committed individuals who decided to come together to establish the church. Initially, these early converts from Bechem and Abesewa travelled to Techimantia where a priest from Kumasi on his way to Berekum regularly visited. Interestingly, six of these members came from the Ekuona family of Bechem. According to oral tradition from Mr Fobena these included Kwadwo Badu and Op. Nkrumah and his wife Yaa Num. The other founding members were: Peter Kumah Akwei, John Addai, Anna Buor, Afua Nyame, Mary Obeng and John Kwadwo Oppong, (all of Bechem), Agnes Koniwaa, Agnes Nimo, Mary Korkor, Asomaning and Anthony Barimah from Abesewa and one Oppong from Jamasi. The historical account indicates that Abesewa was part of Bechem church and later Bechem parish. However, with the creation of the Sunyani Diocese, it was made part of Tepa Parish because it was within Ashanti Region.

At the initial stages the members congregated for worship in a private house of Abena Nyarko which was situated on the left side of the Kumasi - Sunyani road and opposite the present Parish Hall. The exact position is where Mr. Fobena’s present house is located. Interestingly, Maame Nyarko herself was never a member of the church. After a period of time, she asked the group to vacate her house for fear that the use of candles might burn down her house. This, however, did not dampen the spirit of the early founders who from the onset exhibited great determination to lay a solid foundation for the establishment of a strong church. Subsequently, the group in 1927 made a formal request to the chief of Bechem for a piece of land for the construction of a church building. This request was initially refused by the chief because the Presbyterian Church was already well established in Bechem and its neighborhood. The chief, himself a Presbyterian, did not see the need for the Catholic Church to be established.

The founding members were however, determined not to give up. They therefore sought the intervention of Fr. Fisher who was then stationed at Berekum. Fr. Fisher with other members from Berekum came to see the chief and his elders. After a lot of consultations, a small plot of land opposite the present mission was allocated to the group. It is said that the place used to be an old cemetery where it was believed evil spirits inhabited and because of that people were afraid to settle there. It is also said that the place was given with the hope that either the Catholic Church through its spiritual power would drive away the evil spirits or be driven out by the spirits. As the church developed and the chiefs and people started appreciating the impact of the church and catholic education, a much bigger land was allocated some years later by the then Chief, Nana Fosu Gyeabour.

Expansion of the Church

In 1928, the first landcrate church building was constructed at a location which was just in front of the present church. A small mission house was immediately attached for the visiting priest from Berekum. From this time, Fr Fisher’s visit to Bechem community became more regular. From 1932, Fr Gerrit Van de Leeuw who was stationed at Berekum with Fr Fisher became the visiting Priests. From 1933, Fr Leeuw made his visits more frequent and spent more time in Bechem than in Techimantia. During this period, he appointed Mr. Anane as the first catechist of the church. He worked very hard and diligently which contributed immensely to the rapid growth of the Catholic community. On account of poor health, however, he resigned in 1937 and died shortly afterwards.

Elevation of Bechem to the Status of a Parish and the Establishment of the First Catholic School

The founding members constructed a new mission house in 1933 at a cost of eighteen pounds, ten shillings and six pence (£18.10.6). This was because they considered the first one which was hurriedly constructed not well enough for a resident or visiting priest. In the same year, the Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Hubert Paulissen visited Bechem, thus making Bechem the principal station for the whole of Ahafo District. During the visit, Bishop Paulissen also announced his intention to establish a school at Bechem the following year. The idea of a Catholic school in the area was greatly resisted. This time, the resistance did not come from only the chief and his elders but also from the Presbyterian Church, the Inspector of Schools and even the Supervisor of Catholic Schools. They believed that the Presbyterian Church had already established enough schools in the Ahafo District to cater for all children. The Supervisor of Catholic Schools on the other hand feared the Catholic Schools would not survive in an area where the Presbyterian Schools were already well established. Fr. Leeuw persevered with the vision of the Church as Bishop Paulissen had earlier declared and a Catholic school was duly opened in Bechem in 1934 as planned. Mr. Marfo was appointed the first teacher and in the following year he was joined by Teacher Brobe. By the end of the first year the total number of pioneer students had reached 33. The pioneers included Joseph Fobena who also served as a mission boy. Mr. Fobena, a retired educationist, provided first-hand information for much of this historical account. The only female pupil among the 33 pioneers was Afua Donkor (later known as Elizabeth Akyaa).

In 1935, Fr. Monde was appointed an assistant priest to Fr. Gerrit Van de Leeuw. In the same year, a new improved priests’ residence was built at a cost of Two Hundred and Fifty-Four Pounds, Three Shillings and five Pence (£254.3.5). The following year a church building which was started in 1929 was completed at a cost of £306.17.9. It was commissioned by the Chief of Bechem in December 1936.

Fr. Joseph Mulders as Parish Priest 1936-1959

In 1936, Fr Joseph Mulders was appointed the parish priest of Bechem. In the same year, on 22^nd December 1936, the Papal Nuncio, Monsignor de Riberi visited Bechem and a grand durbar was organized in his honour by the Chiefs and people of Bechem. The following year (1937), the parish celebrated its first Corpus Christi in a grand style. This made the church even more popular and led to the increase in the membership. Bechem Church and parish experienced an accelerated expansion and infrastructural development during the time of Fr. Joseph Mulders who was the longest serving priest, from 1936-1959. Akora Joe’ (Old Joe) as he is still fondly remembered, constructed a new church building for Bechem between 1941 and 1942. It was constructed by Brother Burchmans who was an architect. This was the building that was used until 1999. During his time, many schools and churches were built in other stations of the parish. He was instrumental in the establishment of the St Joseph’s Training College, (now St. Joseph College of Education) at Bechem in 1948 with Mr. Nicholson as its first Principal. Fr. Joseph from the beginning saw the importance of Female Education and established a girls’ boarding school which was located at where St. Vincent School is now situated. He also established a grotto at Bechem.

The Extent of Bechem Parish

Between 1932 and 1949, the outstations of the Parish extended as far as Duayaw Nkwanta, Yamfo, Techire, Tanoso and Bomaa in the north, Pokukrom, Dwinyama and Mankranso in the south, Tepa, Goaso, Kenyasi, Mim, Kukuom, Manfo, and Asuhyiae in the west and Techimantia, Dwomo and Derma in the east. During the time of Fr Joseph, the parish had a pick- up vehicle which was used by the Parish Priest and his assistant. Due to poor health, most of the trekking visits were done by the associate priest, very often on foot or by public transport. He was accompanied on these visits by the catechist J.E.O. Mensah, (aka. Baakoyeya) and the junior cook. An interesting account is given of an incident which occurred on one of such treks on foot. As the team came across a stream without a bridge, Baakoyeya, the catechist, who was in front of the priest, bent down to roll up his trousers in order to wade across the stream. The priest thinking that the catechist was generously offering to carry him on his back to cross quickly jumped onto his back. Unprepared for this task, both catechist and priest fell into the stream. From then the priest overcame the fear of wading across streams.

Each trek lasted for about three weeks and the team returned to the parish as their supplies ran out. Fr Joseph, however, occasionally did overnight treks with the pick-up. The first cook of the priests was one Kwame Dom, elder brother of Poku-Maboa of Bechem. He later resigned to become the chief of Kwasu.

The Host Family System

Since the Catholic School served a large area, pupils came from far and near to receive Catholic education. To cater for the accommodation needs of such children, Fr Joseph introduced `the host family system’. By this arrangement, Fr Joseph built a large 3-unit dormitory block for the boys. During the day, the pupils went into homes which had offered to take care of them. According to Mr. Fobena, they lived fully with the host family, did the chores and were cared for. The first batch of standard seven students (as they were then called) passed out in 1943 and included Matthew Addai, Father of Monsignor Matthew Addai, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Goaso. Other distinguished personalities who also attended the Bechem Roman Catholic School included Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, retired Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi Archdiocese, Bishop James Owusu of the Sunyani Diocese, Monsignor Ocran of the Cape Coast Archdiocese and Kwadwo Owusu Asibuo (Father of Fr. Benjamin Asibuo Kusi). Fr Joseph was assisted at different times (in chronological order) by Fr Francis Pas, Fr. Petersman, Fr. Gerrit Van de Laar, Fr. J. Grastel and Fr. Matthew K. Adjaye the first Ghanaian priest to serve in the parish.

Parish priests and assistant priests from 1959-2008

Fr Charles Konign 1959-1970: He expanded the Bechem Church building constructed by Fr Joseph Mulders. He later donated the current church bell after he had left the parish.

During his time, the first indigenous priest from the parish, Fr. Stephen Danso (from Techimantia, then part of the parish) was ordained. Associate priests who served with him in different times were Fr. Henry Zengers, Fr. Joseph Van Uum and Fr. Anthony Nyame.

Fr Joseph. K. Yeboah 1970-1974: He was the first Ghanaian Parish Priest who showed interest in Agriculture and established a large palm plantation for the church. The Catholic Relief Services started operating in the parish during his time.

Fr. John Flynn 1974-1981:

The associate priests at the time were: Fr. Michael Nohilly SMA (1976), Fr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah (1977), Fr. Emmanuel Gyansah Tabi (1980 -1981)

The parish hall at Bechem and the mission house at Techimantia were constructed during his time.

Expanded Infrastructural Development under Fr. Vincent Glennon 1981-1998

Fr Vincent Glennon SMA, was the longest serving priest after Fr Joseph Mulders. His period also was marked by a massive accelerated infrastructural development and social services. His projects included the present magnificent church building at Bechem and the renovation of the old mission block to its present status. The Holy Ghost Sisters came to the Parish around the same time and Fr. Vincent built a Convent for them. He also founded the St. Vincent International School (now St Vincent International School) at Bechem which has since its establishment been one of the best basic schools in the Tano North and South Districts. Fr Vincent also constructed church buildings and schools in the out stations at Mansin and Ohianimguase. Due to his foresight, he built a mission house at Bomaa which has now become a parish. Fr. Vincent’s social concern was not limited to the church but extended to the entire communities in which the churches operated. Consequently, he constructed a number of boreholes in Bechem and Bomaa as well as a number of KVIP toilets at Bechem and Breme which he handed over to the communities. He also constructed fish ponds at Bechem. The end of his term coincided with the creation of the Diocese of Goaso in 1998.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH, BECHEM

Fr. Fisher, SMA (Visiting Priest)
1926 – 1933

Parish Priests Since 1933

1. Fr. Gerrit Van Der Leeuw — 1933 – 1936

2. Fr. Joseph Mulders — 1936 – 1959

3. Fr. Charles Konign — 1959 – 1970

4. Fr. Joseph Yeboah — 1970 – 1974

5. Fr. John Flynn — 1974 – 1981

6. Fr. Vincent Glennon — 1981 – 1998

7. Fr. Joseph Ameyaw — 1998 – 2000

8. Fr. Joseph Aduse-Poku — 2000 – 2003

9. Fr. Benjamin Opoku Donkor — 2003 – 2004

10. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie — 2004 – 2007

11. Fr. Peter Nimo — 2007 – 2017 

12. Fr. Sixtus Kyei Kusi - 1^st November 2017 - 2021

13. Fr. Elisha Manu - 2021

Associate priests: Frs: Augustine Amankwaah-Boateng, Peter Nimo, Daniel Afum, Jonas Opoku Gyamfi, Sylvester Baffour Awuah, Samuel Baiden and Bernard Sarpong.

Name of Parish: St. John of God
Location: Duayaw – Nkwanta
Name of Priest: Frs. Daniel Afum, PP., Francis Kusi Ababio, Gregory Asomaing-Agyemang, (Associates)
Outstations: Susuanho, Koforidua, Buokrukruwa, Bredi, Dagyamim, Jachie, Campso
Contacts: Box 84, Duayaw Nkwanta

Name of Parish: Sacred Heart
Location: Techimantia
Name of Priest: Frs. Denis Senyo Etti, SMA. Francis Kunda, SMA
Outstations: Dwomo, Tweapease, Subriso, Asuboi.
Contacts: Box 1, Techimantia

Name of Parish: St. Anthony
Location: Yamfo
Name of Priest: Frs. Francis Ayana (PP), Michael Agyei
Outstations: Susuanso, Tanoso, Afrisipa, Ahyiayem, Assen, Adengo.
Contacts: Box 24, Yamfo

Name of Parish: St. Joseph
Location: Bomaa
Name of Priest: Frs. Pascal Diala, CMF, PP., Michael Madunagu, CMF
Outstations: Asukese, Subonpang, Tanokrom, Kwasuagya, Onwi, Mamponteng, Dwomakwai, Dwenease.
Contacts: c/o Box 28, Goaso

Name of Parish: St. John of God Quasi Parish
Location: Brosankro New Town
Name of Priest: Fr. Bobby Jacob, CMI – PP
Outstations: Brosankro Old Town, Onwe Nkwanta, Biokrom
Contacts: 

Name of Parish: St. Francis Xavier Quasi Parish
Location: Terchire
Name of Priest: Fr. Dominic Owusu Afriyie - PP
Outstations: Adrobaa, Subriso I, Subriso II, Mankranho
Contacts:

Name of Parish: St. Mary Quasi Parish
Location: Derma
Name of Priest: Fr. Anthony Awuah Boateng
Outstations: Derma Nkwakyire, Ankaase, Adaa, Monta, Nsuta, Tuagyankrom
Contacts: