Sankore Deanery

VERY REV. FR. CLEMENT BADU KYEREMEH

Name of Parish: St. Peter
Location: Sankore
Name of Priest: Fr. John Appiadu - PP
Outstations: Camp No.1, Kokooso, Beposo, Adwumakase, Motopeneso, Oppongkrom, Manhyia, Anum
Contacts: c/o Box 162, Goaso.

ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH - SANKORE

John Manu (Yaw Gyansah), a carpenter from Buoho in Ashanti Region, founded St. Peter Catholic Church, Sankore in 1930. The following people joined John Manu as the initial church members when it was established: Peter Kru, Yaw Kru, Matthew Serbe, Yaw Dobeng, Yaw Akuma, Yaw Mensah, Akosua Adomako and Yaa Abagyina.

Church Presidents: Peter Kru, Yaw Mensah, Matthew Serbe, Peter Manso, Hon. George William Amponsa, George Kwarteng, Emmanuel Owusu, Mr Ocran, Hon. George Yaw Boakye, Eric Elliot Amoako, Eric Asubonteng and Michael Acheampong.

Catechists: Osei Kwame, Yaw Aduehyie, John Marfo, Peter Manso, George Kwarteng, Peter Apau, James Owusu, Paul Affum, Godfred Asante, Osei Yeboa, Alex Num Mensah.

Mr. Owusu was the singing band master who moved with Fr. Akoi, and Fr. James K. Owusu, whenever they were on trekk to Camp No.1 and Abuom. They were accompanied by: Akosua Addai, Rose Nyarko, Yaa Brenya, Beatrice Nutor and James Owusu.

Fr. Robert Akoi used to go from house to house encouraging parents to allow their children to go to school. Bishop Joseph Essuah was the first Bishop to visit Sankore in 1969, and about sixty candidates received confirmation during his visit.

Visiting priests: Fr. James Petersma, Fr. Robert Akoi, Fr. James K. Owusu, Fr. James Van Swieten, SMA, Fr. Michael De Graft, Fr. Vincent Glennon, SMA, Fr. Patrick Lynch, SMA. Later, Rt. Rev. James Kwadwo Owusu, the then Bishop of Sunyani Diocese created Sankore as a Quasi Parish with Fr. Dennis Ryan as the first Rector. Fr. Emmanuel Gyansah Tabi took over from Fr Dennis Ryan.

After the appointment of Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene as the Bishop of Goaso Diocese, Sankore was raised to the status of a Parish, with Fr. Anthony Dwomo as the first Parish Priest. During his time there was construction of church building at Motopeneso and Kokooso. Fr. Joseph Badu Ameyaw took over as the next Parish Priest and the church completed the construction of the Kokooso church project. The Catechists’ Association and the Laity Council were formed during his tenure. Fr. Francis Kottekarotte, CMI took over and later, Fr. Joseph Donkor. During this time, the church began the renovation of the present church building and began the construction of the market stores. After his transfer Fr. Clement Badu Kyeremeh took over and now (2023), Fr. John Mary Adjei Apiadu is the Parish Priest at Sankore

Societies: St. Peter’s Church Choir, Catholic Women’s Association, Catholic Men’s Fellowship, St. Theresa of the Chld Jesus, Sacred Heart, Lectors, C.Y.O, Youth Council, Santa Lucia Youth Choir, Knights of the altar, St. Peter’s Guitar Band and Brass Band.

Name of Parish: St. Michael
Location: Kukuom
Name of Priest: Frs. Joseph Kuunygyir - PP. George Atta Opoku Agyei- Associate
Outstations: Domeabra, Yankye, Dantano, Nobekaw, Anwiam, Siana, Dabokrom, Kusikrom
Contacts: Box 9, Kukuom

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH- KUKUOM

St. Michael Catholic Church was started in early 1928 by Yaw Dwomo, from Tabere, Kwaku Abokyi, Yaw Bohene, Kwabena Duruye, Kwasi Manu, Nana Agnes Kwatemaa, Nana Nwaama, Ama Nyame, Akua Nyame, Agnes Akua Mmua, Margaret Ampomah and Mad. Kwaa. Due to land dispute, some of the then traditional authorities who were not in favour of establishing the church caused the arrest of four (4) of the founding members i.e Yaw Dwomo, Kwabena Abokyi, Kwaku Manu and Nana Kwasi Duro. They were later released.

The second groups of converts were Akwasi Addai, Kofi Abagyina who was the local catechist, Joseph Mensah and Simon Owusu (Church president) with Quansah the Parish Catechist who was an interpreter for Fr. Pietersman. During this period, they had church services and Mass under erected shed before a permanent structure was built.

The need for a new church building arose in 1968 when the old structure could no longer contain the growing number especially during Easter and Christmas festivities. The Parish Priest, Fr. James Sweiten popularly known as Fr. Asubonten readily agreed to this proposal and assisted the church members to begin the construction.

Founding Members: Joseph Osei, Joseph Mensah, J. K. Mosi, Kwaku Boateng (Semereka), Anthony Oteng, Simon Owusu, Peter Nsiah, Francis Obiri Korang and Anthony Bempah.

CREATION OF KUKUOM AS A RECTORATE/QUASI-PARISH
During the tenure of Fr. Augustine Owusu Addo, an appeal was made to the Bishop on 28^th May 1997 to erect Kukuom as a rectorate to ensure effective Pastoral work. A new mission house was started during the time of Fr. Nicholas Afriyie and Msgr. Benjamin Opoku Donkor.

On Friday 13^th December, 2002, Fr. Gaspard Dery was installed as the first Rector with 13 outstations. He stayed in the old mission house till Sunday 2nd March, 2003 when the new mission house was commissioned. On Sunday 23rd of May 2004, the rectorate was elevated to a Parish status by his Lordship Most Rev. Peter Atuahene. Omanhene Osahene Kwaku Atekyi II & his elders of Kukuom attended the elevation ceremony. P. K. Dwumfour was the first Parish President. Parish priests: Fr. Gaspard Derry (2003 – 2005), Fr. Eric Awuah Gyamfi (2005 – 2014), Fr. Daniel Owusu (2014 – 2016), Fr. Samuel Osei Kuffour (2016 – 2020), Fr. Alexander Nkansah (2020)

Visiting priests: Fr. Vincent Glennon, SMA, Fr. Stephen Danso, Fr. Patrick Lynch, SMA, Fr. Augustine Owusu Addo, Fr. Dominic Asuahene, Fr. Nicholas Afriyie, Fr. William Aguzey, Fr. Matthew Kumi, Fr. George Donkor Tang, Msgr. Benjamin Opoku Donkor, Fr. Denis Ryan, Fr. Bernard Obeng Yaw Gyamfi, Fr. Gaspard Dery, Fr. Christopher Kwakye.

Presidents: Simon Owusu, Anthony Oteng, Anthony Bempa, David Kofi Bediako, Peter Nsiah

Johnson Ohene Dwumfour, Augustine Abu Frimpong, David Mark Mensah, Peter Obiri Yeboah

Catechists: Teacher Albert C. Anto, Joseph Yawson, Anthony Mensah, Mr. Quacoe, Godfred Kofi Asante, Benjamin Owusu Bekoe, John Opoku Fofie, John Tetteh, Faustina Serwaa, Thomas Opare Asante Krobea

Societies: Senior Choir, All Saints Youth Choir, Catholic Women Association, Christian Mothers Association, Catholic Men's Society, Knights and Ladies of the Blessed Sacrament, Catholic Youth, C.Y.O and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. Benefactors: Mr & Mrs. Amoa Mensah, Alexander Owusu Bekoe (USA), Rita Adu Amoako (USA) and Joseph Adasa Nkrumah (Ghana Water Company).

Name of Parish: St. Francis Xavier
Location: Kwapong
Name of Priest: Fr. George Kwadwo Ohemeng, PP
Outstations: Agyarekrom, Amankwaakrom, Asibrem, Sikafrebogya
Contacts: C/O St. Michael, Box 9, Kukuom. 

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH - KWAPONG

St. Francis Xavier Church was started by Kwame Baase, a native of Kwapong residing at Bechem in 1935 with Kofi Teikofi, Robert Kwaku Manu, Akwasi Kokoo, Kwabena Addai, Akwasi Addai, Kofi Apomasu, Noah Akwasi Donkor, Kwabena Anhwere, Kwaku Gyaame, Afua Amene and Ama Ku. They worshiped at Kofi Teikofi’s house but later on, they built a shed near the house. The church grew up and so they built a church with mud bricks. During the time of Fr. Patrick Lynch, another church building and a small mission house were constructed. During the time of Fr. Eric Awuah Gyamfi, a new mission house was constructed and the Bishop created a quasi-parish at Kwapong. Fr. Joaking Bonsu was the first Rector. A new church building is under construction.

Parish priests: Fr. Joaking Bonsu, Fr. Sylvester Baffour Awuah, Fr. Anthony Marfo Dwomo, Fr. Anthony Appiah Yeboah. Presidents: Kwabena Abaase, Joseph Owusu, Joseph Oppong, Stephen Frimpong, Paul Cobbina, Francis Antwi Joseph Tawiah, Stephen Osman Anane, James Afriyie Manu. Catechists: Kwabena Adda, Peter Nuamah, John Kwaku Boafo, Joseph Owusu Fordjour, Robert Antwi Adjei Manu, Francis Osei, Emmanuel Osei Bonsu. Societies: Catholic Women Association, Choir, Youth, C.Y.O, St Theresa of the child Jesus, Christian Mothers Association

Name of Parish: St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Location: Abuom
Name of Priest: Fr. Sylvester Baffour Awuah - PP
Outstations: Durowaakrom, Siiso, Asarekrom, Alavanyo, Afodowa, Marfokrom, Mintumi, Tettekwao, Dodowa
Contacts: C/o Box 162, Goaso. 

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, ABUOM

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Abuom was founded in 1931 by Opanin Faka, Yaw Kyere, Mary Aboagyewa and Akosua Addai. It was an outstation of Bechem parish which was then under the Diocese of Kumasi. As a small church, a wooden structure was initially made as their place of worship. Later on, a church building was put up to accommodate the faithful of about hundred people. After its demolition, the church building with about three hundred seating capacity was constructed during the period of Fr. Patrick Lynch, SMA. Most Rev. James K. Owusu visited the station in 1989. It was during the time of Fr. Francis Kottekarotte, CMI that a new mission house was construted.

St. Joseph quasi parish was created on Sunday 9^th July, 2017 by Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene and he installed Fr. Christopher Kwakye as the first rector.

Visiting Priests: Fr. James Swieten, SMA, Fr. Michael De Graft, Fr. Anthony Kelly, SMA, Fr. Vincent Glennon, SMA, Fr. Dominic Asuahene, Fr. Patrick Lynch SMA, Fr. Denis Ryan, SMA, Fr. Gaspard Dery, Fr. William Aguzey, Fr. George Donkor Tang, Fr. Emmanuel Gyansa Tabi, Fr. Anthony Marfo Dwomo, Fr. Augustine Nsiah Asante, Fr. Joseph Badu Ameyaw, Fr. Francis Kottekarotte, CMI (Kofi Kofi), Fr. Joseph Donkor,

Parish Priest: Fr. Christopher Kwakye, Sylvester Baffour Awuah

Presidents: Yaw Kyere, Kwabena Adjei, Jacob Agyapong, Gladys Nyamekye and Joseph Ahenkora. Catechists: Kwesi Duku, Peter Nkrumah, Anthony Osei, Baffour Awuah, Stephen Appiah, Charles Dei. Societies: Choir, CYO, C. W. A, St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Catholic Youth Organizations, Prayer Groups. School: RC Basic School. Benefactors: Joseph Ahenkora, Kwaku Addai, Patrick Anor, Jacob Agyapong, Joseph Aseidu, Afrifa Yamoah, Hagar Kyere and Hon. Eric Opoku MP for Asunafo South. Outstation churches: St. Joseph quasi parish comprises Abuom, Asarekrom, Afodowa, Alavanyo, Durowaakrom, Mintumi, Siiso, Marfokrom, and Tetekwao.

Name of Parish: St.Joseph's
Location: Akrodie
Name of Priest: Fr. Clement Badu Kyeremeh - PP
Outstations: Asumura, Pomaakrom, Anwiaso, Tweneboakrom, Awewoho-Manhyia, Manukrom, Odurokrom, Kanhiamo, Tipokrom, Seinua, Nakete
Contacts: c/o Box 162, Goaso

ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, AKRODIE

St Joseph Catholic Church, Akrodie was founded in 1928 by Kwaku Kru, Yaw Dadea, Authur, Kwame Ofonam (who doubled as Catechist and Secretary), Augustine Okyere, Matthew Kuma, Kwaku Nnuro, Abenaa Serwaa (Abenaa Antenaa), Kwabena Tuntum, Atta Kwadwo, Anthony Brobbey and Peter Kokofu. St. Joseph Catholic Church was started under a shed roofed with palm fronds. Later, a wooden structure was put up. Kwaku Kru supported by the church members worked tirelessly and in unity to acquire a land from Nananom to put up the early structure of the church. In the early part of the church, Fr. Monde, SMA and others were the visiting priests.

The following are the Priests who have served the Parish since it became quasi parish in 2005.

Fr. Rudolf Twumasi Ankra (Nov. 2005 - Dec.2007), Fr. Anthony Marfo Dwomo (Jan .2008 - June 2008), Fr. Isaac Boansi (July 2008 - Oct 2013), Fr. Theotimus Gyamfi-Bonsu (Nov 2013 - 2021), Fr. Clement Badu Kyeremeh (Feb. 2021)

Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene accompanied by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye elevated the church to the status of a rectorate on 19th October, 2005 on the occasion of the visit by the Bishops. The church premises and building itself were cleaned and the Rosary was prayed with All Night’ prayers in preparation towards the occasion. Kwame Kru, and Akosua Druye, Kwame Oppong and Ataa were the first to bless their marriages. James Osei Manu who came to Akrodie as an Agricultural Officer was the first catechist to be appointed.

Presidents: Kwaku Kru (1918 – 1921), Kwame Oppong (1929 – 1940), Augustine Okyere (1940 – 1969), John Bediako Asare (1969 – 1975), Thomas Kwaku Yeboah (1975-1978), John Bediako Asare (1978-1998), Daniel Boateng (1998 – 2007), Emmanuel Dankwa (2007- 2013), Thomas Boateng (2014 – 2020), Patricia Afriyie Bonsu (2021)