Five Catholic Priests pool GH¢1.6million to build church in Koforidua

Five Catholic priests in the Koforidua Diocese have invested GH¢1.6 million from their personal resources to construct a 300-capacity church at Trom, serving four communities in the New Juaben South Municipality.

The St. John Vianney Catholic Church will serve residents of Trom, Bornya, Korle and Abansro, who previously travelled more than three miles to attend Mass at other Catholic churches in Koforidua.

Residents relied on St. Dominic Catholic Church at Adweso, St. George Cathedral and St. Bakhita Catholic Church at Old Estates.

However, the distance and difficulties securing transport, particularly on Sundays, discouraged some from attending Mass regularly.

Madam Francisca Ayitey, a resident, told the media that travelling to St. Dominic Catholic Church while pregnant was particularly challenging because taxis were difficult to find on Sundays.

She said the new facility would ease the burden on residents, especially pregnant women, elderly people and others who had stopped attending church regularly because of the distance.

Construction began on January 7, 2026, and was completed in September.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, who led the dedication, described the initiative as exceptional and commended the five priests for completing the project within eight months.

He said the project demonstrated that infrastructure could be delivered at lower costs through prudent management of resources.

The Bishop urged the government and other institutions to learn from the initiative, saying high construction costs remained a major challenge to national development.

He also stressed the need for the Church to expand its presence in rapidly developing communities to ensure that distance did not prevent people from worshipping regularly.

The project was initiated by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Quainoo Aggrey, Pastoral Director and Chancellor of the Diocese.

The other priests are Very Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Kenneth Abban, Rev. Fr. Michael Numekevor Jnr., Rev. Fr. Eric Evans Akahono and Rev. Fr. Derrick Eyram Senanu.

The Diocese had earlier identified the need for a church at Trom and secured land for the project.

However, a lack of funds delayed construction for several years.

Very Rev. Fr. Abban, convenor of the five priests, said the church would provide a place for the celebration of the Eucharist, administration of the sacraments and spiritual development.

He said the priests financed the project through sacrifices from their personal earnings, describing it as an act of faith and love for the Church.

Mrs Rose A. Dadjawah, the community’s Catechist, noted that the facility would provide a more suitable worship environment and encourage participation in church activities.

Monsignor Francis Twum-Barimah, Vicar General of the Diocese, will oversee the new church and provide pastoral services for some time.

The addition brings the number of parishes and quasi-parishes in the Koforidua Diocese to 54.

GNA