Pope Accepts Retirement of Bishop of Ghana’s Konongo-Mampong Diocese, Appoints Successor

Konongo-Mampong, 21 March, 2024 / 9:00 PM

The Holy Father has accepted the retirement of Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu from the pastoral care of the Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong in Ghana appointed Mons. John Opoku-Agyemang as his successor.

The latest administrative change in the Ghanaian Diocese was made public by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, March 21.

In the west African nation, the Secretary General of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei, read out the appointment letter issued by the Apostolic Nunciature in the country.

“Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Mons. John Opoku-Agyemang as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong,” Fr. Adjei said and added, “Bishop Emeritus Joseph Osei-Bonsu has been appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the said Diocese until the canonical installation of the Bishop-elect.”

Bishop Bonsu, who has been at the helm of the Ghanaian Diocese since his consecration in June 1995, has retired at the age of 76.

Bishop-elect Agyemang was born in August 1957. He was ordained a Priest for Konongo-Mampong in January 1984.

The Rector of St. Gregory the Great Provincial Major Seminary, Parkoso in Ghana’s Kumasi Archdiocese was made a monsignor by Pope John Paul II in August 2005.

Mons. Agyemang studied philosophy at St. Peter’s Regional Seminary Pedu in Cape Coast Archdiocese.

He holds a Diploma in clinical pastoral education and a Masters degree in Divinity from the University of St Thomas in Houston, Texas, USA.

He is an alumnus of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, from where he obtained a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology.

As a Priest, the Bishop-elect has served as chaplain of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Parish Priest, and member of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council of Konongo-Mampong, among other Priestly duties. 

Following the news of Mons. Agyemang’s appointment, Diocesan Priests in Ghana have congratulated him and promised their support.

“As the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priests’ Association (NUGCDPA), we would like to pledge our support and pray that the good Lord who has chosen you as a Bishop will continue to bless and give you the needed gifts to exercise your new office,” they say in a statement.