Tepa Deanery

VERY REV. FR. BISMARK KYEREMEH APPIAH

Name of Parish: Mary, Queen of Peace
Location: Tepa
Name of Priest: Frs. Bismark Kyereme-Appiah - PP, Emmanuel Yaw Agyei (Associate), Otmar Anane Yeboah, Chaplain, (In residence) Ghana Immigration School, Tepa.
Outstations: Tepa-Beposo, Akwasiase, Mabang, Boagyaa, Betinko, Kyekyewere, Kwafokrom (New), Odikro Nkwanta (New), Ancilla Community (New) 
Contacts: Box 43, Tepa. 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH, TEPA

St. Mary Catholic Church, Tepa was founded in 1928 by: Andrew Korankye and Opanin Kenseenko, Kwame Akwabire Francis and Gabriel Amponsah and the Omanhene of Tepa, Nana Kwadwo Bi. Before the church became a parish, it was under St. Joseph Parish - Bechem. Bechem had more than forty (40) outstations in the 1950’s and it was necessary to create another parish. Most of the outstations were far from Bechem. The parishioners in the outstations did not find it easy and convenient to reach their priests so Tepa was chosen as a resident place. Tepa was also the political center in the whole district, so the creation of St. Mary Parish at Tepa by Rt. Rev. Andrew Van de Bronk was in the right direction. Fr. Matthew Adjaye, the curate of St. Joseph parish, Bechem was therefore appointed as the first parish priest of Tepa from 1957 to 1971.

Wioso Zone came under Tepa parish on the 19^th of October 1962. A new church building was started and by the 4^th Sunday of December, 1966 it was ready for church service. Some new outstations were opened. Through the sacrament of baptism, the number of catholics increased.

During this period Tepa parish covered Adugyama, Kunsu, Wioso, Sabronum, Acherensua and Manfo. The new church building was dedicated by the Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Andrew Van de Bronk and was assisted by Nana Kwame Awuah II, Tepahene. At that occasion, 82 adults were baptized by Fr. Albert Kpaka of Kumasi, and they received the first Holy Communion. This was on Sunday, 2^nd December, 1956. The first Corpus Christi took place at Brosankro (old town) on Sunday 24^th November, 1957.

On Sunday 8^th December, 1957, Fr. Matthew Adjaye was officially installed as the parish priest of Tepa by Rt. Rev. Andrew Van De Bronk, Bishop of Kumasi.

The Parish Priest left Tepa for Kumasi on the 14^th of August, 1958 for pilgrimage to Rome, London and Lourdes. During his absence Fr. James Guithernant of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Kumasi acted. The Parish Priest returned to Tepa from his pilgrimage on Thursday 30^th October, 1958. On 22^nd January 1959, a new Vauxhall Estate car with registration number – AN 2693,was bought from the U.A.C Motors for the Parish. The catechist was John Koomson who was succeeded by Albert C. Anto.

The new bishop of Kumasi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joseph A. Essuah made his first official visit to Tepa on Sunday 8^th September, 1962. A new assistant Priest, Fr. Gabriel Owusu Asare arrived at Tepa on Sunday 17^th April, 1964. Then on 14^th June 1964, Bishop Essuah visited Tepa to confirm 424 candidates and 217 in Biemso the following day. The Parish on 18^th June, 1964, bought a second-hand VW. car for the Parish at the cost of 400(pounds). Fr. Gabriel Asare who spent only 4 months in Tepa was transferred to Jamasi on Monday 7^th September, 1964. He was replaced by Fr. Henry Zengers on December 10^th 1964. He was later transferred to Kwasibuokom on the 17^th of July, 1965. The foundation stone of new Tepa church building was blessed by Bishop Joseph A. Essuah and laid by Dr. J. H. J. Morce Meuwissen. Later, it was officially inaugurated by the Very Rev. Fr. W.Van De Laar, the Vicar General and Cathedral Administrator of Kumasi. On Sunday 27^th April, 1969, members of the local Pastoral Council were elected and installed. They were: Joseph Opoku and Lucy Manu (singing band), Albert C. Anto and Francis Akwabire (Legion of Mary) Peter Assadu and Grace Bonyina (Sacred Heart), Isaac Nuakor and Margaret M. Anane Fosu (St. Mary’s Choir), Michael Yaw Gyamfi (Knight of Marshal), Stephen Tuoyel (Dagarba Group), Thomas Adeleke (Yoruba Group), Gabribel Amponsah (Non- Society)

On Sunday 1^st March, 1970, four delegates from the parish and the Parish Priest went to Kumasi to attend the send – off gathering of the Rt. Rev. Joseph Amihere Essuah who was transferred from the Diocese. Rt. Rev. Peter Akwasi Sarpong made his maiden visit to Tepa Parish on Sunday, 2^nd August 1970 and administered the sacrament of confirmation to 333 candidates. The big crucifix on the high altar was blessed on 31^st of July 1971 by Fr. Matthew Kwasi Adjaye the first parish priest, who was transferred to Kokofu on 29^th November, 1971. He spent 15 years in the Tepa parish and was replaced by Fr. J. C. B. Vissar on Friday 11^th February, 1972. Fr. Nolan succeeded Fr. Vissar SMA, the following year, on 5^th February, 1973. Fr. Nolan brought a new car from Accra with a registration number GS. 3304. It was on July 17^th, 1973 that Fr. V. Murphy arrived at Tepa as the new parish priest. He came to replace Fr. Nolan who was transferred to Sunyani as an Administrator.

On August 24, 1974, Fr. James Alexander Asare arrived as a curate for the parish. On 6^th of August 1977, Fr. Asare was transferred to Amakom – Kumasi and he was replaced by Fr. Augustine Dwobeng Adusei. It was on the same day that the catechist of Tepa Willam Adusei died and his burial took place at Ejisu. Fr. Vincent Murphy and his catechist, Stephen Fosu Antwi went to bury him. Bright Benjamin Bartholomew Ohene Appiah (B.B.B) took the position of a parish Catechist after the death of W. Afriyie in 1977. Tuesday 11^th October, 1978 saw the reopening of St. Mary Girls Vocational Institute at Tepa. It was under the care of Doris Odame, the Headmistress. The building still stands but the institute collapsed in three years time.

Parish Priests since 1978: Fr. John Dwobeng Adusei (1978), Fr. Frans Valantine (1984), Fr. Samuel Opoku Sarkodie (1992), Fr. Sabastian Appiah (1994), Fr. Francis Sam (1995), Fr. James Boakye Agyemang (1996), Fr. Nicholas Afriyie (2001), Msgr. Michael Barimah Apau (2002), Fr. Benjamin Asibuo Kusi (2016), Fr. Theophilus Akyeampong Pepra (2017)

Curates: Fr. Paul Theresa Amoako, Fr. Francis Kusi – Ababio, Fr. Douglas Peters, Fr. Peter Addai Mensah, Fr. Augustine Owusu Sekyere, Fr. Sabastian Appiah, Fr. Stephen Owusu Afreh, Fr. Patrick Osei Poku, Fr. Micheal Sarfo Kantanka, Fr. Christopher Kwakye, Fr. Bernard Obeng Gyamfi, Fr. Dominic Apaata, Fr. Eric Awuah Gyamfi, Fr. Jonas Opoku Gyamfi, Fr. Charles Sarfo Boampong, Fr. Martin Yaw Adjei, Fr. Anthony Awuah Boateng, Fr. Fredrick Kwarteng, Fr. Dominic Owusu Afriyie, Fr. Emmanuel Adjei Mensah.

The new mission house for Tepa was commenced during the tenure of Fr. Sebastian Appiah and was completed by Fr.Nicholas Afriyie and Fr. Christopher Kwakye. It was officially opened by Bishop Atuahene. St. Mary Parish was changed to Mary, Queen of Peace Parish and the Grotto was named “Our Lady of Victory Grotto”. Manfo became a parish in 2003 with Fr. Dominic Apaata as the first parish priest.

The parish has three Catholic schools, R/C Basic and J.H.S. and Akwasiase R/C primary, Holy Family School and Ancilla School (HHCJ). Societies: Catholic Women Association, Sacred Heart, St. Anthony’s Guild, Charismatic Renewal, Christian Mothers Association, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Nwomkoro, Choir, Mary Mma (Non-society), Catechists Association and Men’s society.

Presidents: Francis Agyemang, Stephen Fosu Antwi, Charles Badu, John Acheampong

Catechists: Simon Antoa Mensah- Parish Catechist and the Parish Secretary, Joseph Opoku Sanaa, Agnes Cletus, Charles Badu- Tepa Catechist and President of the Parish Laity, Francis Atta - Akwasiase Catechist and Vice President for the Parish, Isaac Anancy -Assistant Parish Secretary.

Name of Parish: St. Anthony of Padua
Location: Anyinasuso
Name of Priest: Fr. Edward Marcellinus Tangviel, (PP)
Outstations: Manhyia, Pewodie, Asukese, Amakrom, Yesrenyame, Suponso, Katapei, Betiako, Abonsuaso.
Contacts:

ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC CHURCH - ANYINASUSO

The church was founded in 1952 by Nana Osei Abotrimu, Kwaku Adom, Kojo Donkor, Kwadwo Fordjour and Joseph Mensah. Kojo Donkor was the first president and the catechist. Nana Osei Abotrimu gave out one of his rooms to be used for church services. As the number of faithful increased, Madam Apowah gave a piece of land for the construction of a permanent church building at the current funeral grounds at Anyinasuso in 1955 and named it St. Anthony Catholic Church. Fr Matthew Adjaye was the parish priest at Tepa and the church became an outstation. The first society formed in the church was a singing band with the following members: Kojo Donkor (leader), Simon Kwabena Poku, Martha Amofah, Mary Donkor, Martha Boadu, John Adu-Agyei and Kwame Boakye. The church established a school in 1962 which was later taken over by the Government in 1965. The head teacher of the school was Mr. Mensah and later, the school was relocated to Kookoase a suburb of Anyinasuso. The Catechists were Op. Boahene and James Adom Manu. As the number of faithful was increasing, there was the need for a new church building. Through the leadership of Nana Matthew Gyaame, a piece of land for the construction of a new church building was acquired. The construction started in 1985 under the leadership of Benjamin Kovey.

Fr. Valentine became the Parish priest at Tepa with Fr Douglas Peters as his associate who then cut the sod for the construction of the new chapel and was completed in the year 2000. The first Mass in the new building was in 2001 by the then Parish Priest of Tepa, Fr. James Boakye Agyemang.

In 1972, the choir and C.Y.O were formed. Later other societies such as St. Theresa, Christian Mothers, and C.W.A. were also formed.

Church presidents: Nana Osei Abotrimu (1952 – 1956), Kwadwo Donkor (1956 – 1966), Kojo Fordjour (1966 – 1971), Benjamin Kovey (1981 – 1995) , Mathew Gyaame (1995 – 2005), Joseph Acheampong (2005 – 2009), Benjamin Kovey (2009 – 2013) , Augustine Adum Attah (2013 – 2018), Anthony K. Nti (2018)

Name of Parish: Our Lady of Victory
Location: Manfo
Name of Priest: Frs. David Owusu Asante – PP, Frank Owusu Ahiamajor – Associate
Outstations: Achina, Ankaase, Asuhyiae, Dwaaho, Keniago, Amangoase, Mfanibu, Mfante, Nyameyehene, Odumase, Sikafrebogya, Subriso, Pokukrom, Tadieso, Twabidi, Nwumasua.
Contacts: Box 176, Tepa.

ST PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, MANFO

St Peter Catholic Church Manfo was founded in 1937 by Yaw Bosompem, Op. Kobire, John Foda, Atta Kwasi, Agnes Nimo, Mary Ayiwa and Peter Kwabena Kontor. The above named managed to get their family members to join the new church. Yaw Bosompem was elected as the first president and his assistant was Agnes Nimo. A delegation was sent to Bechem to inform the parish priest about the new church. The first priest to visit the church was Fr. Leo Van Gastel SMA, the assistant priest at Bechem. The people had to walk half way to meet him since there was no car and carried his bag to Manfo. After spending about a day or two, some members of the church took him back to Bechem. Gradually the church baptized ten members. It became an outstation of Tepa parish under Fr. Matthew Adjaye as the parish priest.

With the help of the parish catechist, Bright Benjamin Bartholomew Ohene Appiah (B.B.B) and the assistant priest Fr. Paul Theresa Amoako, Manfo church has a Grotto (Our Lady of Victory Grotto) which was opened in 1978. People used to go there on Tuesdays and on Assumption day to pray. In 2003, the then Parish Priest of Tepa, Msgr. Michael Barima Appau made a request to the Bishop to create Manfo zone as a parish and it was wholeheartedly approved. Fr. Dominic Apaata was therefore appointed as the first Parish Priest and was assisted by Fr. Michael Amponsah.

Cecilia Konadu was elected as the first parish president. The Catechists are Gabriel Dapaa, Philip Awuah and Simon Gyau (of Manfo town), Enoch Appiah, Hubert Adjei, Banabas Owusu, Asuming. Manfo Parish has 18 outstations divided into 5 zones. These are: Manfo, Mfanibu, Odumase, Subriso and Achina. Manfo R/C Primary and J.H.S are schools established by the church. The old church still stands but a new one is in progress just behind the old one.

Name of Parish: St. Peter
Location: Wioso
Name of Priest: Frs. Luke Patrick Effah-Gyau – PP, Eric Maali – Associate
Outstations: Hwibaa, Jacobu, Nyinanufu, Barniekrom, Duyan – Nkwanta, Ohiapae, Domeabra, Adadekrom, Mpasaso, Achiase, Asurkor, Dotiem.
Contacts: Box 162, Tepa. Tel. 032 – 2093920

ST. PETER CHURCH, WIOSO PARISH

St Peter Catholic Church, Wioso was established in 1930. The founding members were Opanin Kensenko and Opanin Dormaa from Tepa, Kofi Amoako, Op. Dauda, Kwame Kwayie, Kwabena Barnie, Yaw Awuah, Kwame Ankrah, Kwadwo Fordjour, Simon Adu Antwenewa, Akua Fosuaa, Maame Serwaa, Afua Nsowaa, Yaa Tintaa, Akosua Mayeden, Adwoa Nkrumah, Abena Badu and Yaa Anane. The family of Op. Kensenko formed the greater part of the members of the church. 

Op. Kensenko was elected as the first president and the first catechist was S.K Nsiah. The church was under Bechem Parish headed by Fr. Pas. The church started in a thatched building. On one Sunday, whilst having Mass, a snake fell from the roof and it immediately died without anyone killing it. Looking at this incident, they planned to build a proper chapel. They went to the forest to cut Odum tree to roof the chapel. They got a big odum tree and by the grace of the Almighty God, immediately they fell the tree, it broke and divided into two. The members became happy, cut them into boards and used them to roof the church building. Unfortunately, Opanin Kensenko the then church president died and he was succeeded by Kwame Kwayie. During the reign of Kwame Kwayie, the members of the church went through problems. They were arrested for not attending communal labour at the Methodist church premises by the then chief, Nana Fosu Agyei. So Fr. Joseph Mulders SMA, who was the then Parish Priest of Bechem was informed. Through his intervention, the members were released from cells but insisted that the church members should not attend the communal labour at the Methodist church premises again. After this incident, due to the hard work of the then president, they established a school. The Methodist Church also established a school, so there was a competition between the two schools for pupils. This competition also led to a quarrel between the two churches. So Asante West Educational Unit Officers from Kumasi combined the two schools to be L/A United School. This made the two churches have no school at their disposal. Kwame Kwayie passed away and he was succeeded by Kofi Amoako who also did his best to keep the church moving. He later left the church for personal reason to join the Apostolic Church. John Kwadwo Fordjour took over as the church president. He did his best to sustain the church but unfortunately he passed on in 1972. From 1972 to 1974, Nicholas Yaw Awuah was asked to act as the president of the church after the demise of John Kwadwo Fordjour.

In 1974, Simon Adu was elected as the substantive church president. Throughout the years, there was no choir in the church but a singing band. In 1975, the choir was established. The first choir master was L.G. Mensah. In 1980, through his initiative, the members of the church decided to build a mission house. During his time as the president of the church, the Cluny Sisters came to settle at Domeabra in 1990. During all these years, the church was under Tepa parish so on the 5^th day of December, 1995, Bishop Akwasi Sarpong from Kumasi Diocese created Wioso parish under Fr. Joseph Boakye with the following outstations: Domeabra, Hwibaa, Jacobu, Onyinanufu, Barniekrom, Ohiapae, Dunyan Nkwanta, Adadekrom, Mpasaso, Achiase, Dotiem, Asuokor, Wansamire, Awisasu, Achiase No2 and Tenewohoyo. J.K. Appau of Domeabra was the first parish president. Fr. Joseph Boakye was the Parish Priest for only a one and half years. He was transferred and was succeeded by Fr. John Opoku. During his tenure as the parish priest, the following projects were carried out:

1. Church Buildings: Wioso, Hwibaa, Jacobu, Barniekrom, Onyinanufu, Asuokor, and Wansamire

2. Schools: Hwibaa R/C Primary – Three classrooms, office and store

3. Toilet Facilities: Dunyan Nkwanta, Barniekrom, Wioso, Hwibaa, Domeabra, Adadekrom, Mpasaso No1 and 2 and Dotiem.

In October 1997, Goaso Diocese was created and Wioso parish became part of the Diocese. Wansamire, Achiase No2, Awisasu and Tenewohoyo also remained in Kumasi Diocese. In 2000, Fr. John Opoku left for Kumasi and Fr. Matthew Kumi took over as the parish priest. During this period, Bartholomew Appiah Kusi Agyekum was elected as the local church president and L.G. Mensah as the parish president. During the time of Fr. Kumi, the following projects were constructed: new mission house, St. Peter’s R/C Basic School, Mpasaso St Peter’s R/C Primary and Ohiapae Roman Catholic Church building. In 2007, Fr. Jonas Opoku Gyamfi took over as the parish priest for four years. During this period, L.G. Mensah was elected as the church president from 2010 to 2015. The then parish priest built Mpasaso St. Peter’s R/C J.H.S. During his period, the sisters of St. Louis came to settle at Domeabra on 19^th November, 2010.

In 2012, Fr. Jonas Opoku Gyamfi was transferred and Fr. Joseph Badu Ameyaw took over as the parish priest. Bartholomew Appiah Kusi Agyekum became the president of the local church and the parish president from 2015. During the period, Fr. Emmanuel Owusu Amoako was transferred to Wioso parish as an associate priest. In 2016, Fr. Joseph Badu Ameyaw was transferred and Fr. Henry Oduro Asante became the parish priest. He served for only one year and was transferred. Fr. Emmanuel Owusu Amoako, the then associate priest was asked to act as the parish priest in the same year. He also served for three months and was transferred to Anyinasuso, a newly created quasi parish. In November, 2017, Fr. John Mary Adjei Appiadu took over as the parish priest of Wioso. Fr. Mary also handed over to Fr. Theotimus Gyamfi Bonsu in 2020. Catechists: Kwame Nkrumah, Simon Adubofour, Emmanuel Acheampong, Anastasia Owusu Ansa, Samuel Kugblenu Boakye, B.A.K Agyekum, Peter Anokye.