Ten individuals of the Sunyani Diocese have been conferred with Papal Awards in recognition of their contributions towards the development and growth of the Church in the Sunyani Diocese and the country in general.
The awards were in various categories including Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester, Knight of the Order of St. Gregory, the Great; Knight of the Order of St. Gregory, the Great (Dame) and Episcopal Awards.
The conferment took place at a Mass at the Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani presided over by the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC). It was concelebrated by Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene of Goaso Diocese; Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah of Obuasi Diocese and scores of Priests.
The Awardees for Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice were: Fr. Stanislaw Jan Gergont, SVD; Rev. Fr. Martino Corazzin, OFM CONV; Sr. Victoria Takyi-Nyarko, HHCJ, Headmistress of St. Mary’s Preparatory School in Sunyani; Sr. Agatha Ifenkwe, HHCJ, ) Directress of Pre-novices for the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI) ; and Sr. Florence Badu, HHCJ.
The Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester was conferred on Ing. Dr. Herbert Kojo Abeka, a Lecturer, Sunyani Technical University (STU) and Mr. Emmanuel Taa-Amoako, Administrator of the Glory Kindercare Complex, Sunyani whiles the Knight of the Order of St. Gregory, the Great was conferred on Justice Eric Ankomah Ansah, High Court 2 Judge in Tamale and Prof. Daniels Obeng-Ofori, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University,Sunyani. Mrs. Georgina Bennett, Executive Director & Co-founder Eusbett Hotel, Sunyani received the award of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (DAME).
One hundred and thirty-seven other individuals including chiefs and people of other denominations were presented with Episcopal awards for their services to the Church. Some of the awardees in this category were: Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister; Hon. Ansu Kumi, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE); Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Member of Parliament for Sunyani West and some Tradional leaders.
Preaching the sermon, Bishop Gyamfi said the Papal and Episcopal Awards are conferred on religious, Catholics and non-Catholics, civic men and women who have contributed to the spiritual and physical development and growth of the church. He congratulated the awardees on the recognition they had received.
Bishop Gyamfi said though the lot had fallen on the few individuals, all the lay faithful deserve this honour for their love and zeal for the Church.
He reminded the awardees that their honours means a call for responsibility for them to work harder, stating that though the honours are medals, they stand for, being responsible and safeguarding the Catholic faith.
He urged the awardees to reflect on this responsibility bestowed on them and strive to “Know your faith, defend and live it”.
At the Mass, Bishop Gyamfi raised 22 Churches in the Diocese to Parish status.
From Michael Akornoba
