Veep Eulogises Archbishop Andoh
The Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, has paid a glowing tribute to the memory of the late Archbishop Emeritus of the Accra Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Dominic Kodwo Andoh DD, JCD, urging Ghanaians and the pastoral community to emulate his sense of humility and fellow feeling that characterized his life and ministry on earth.
He said Archbishop Andoh truly demonstrated what a leader should exhibit in his leadership position by effectively combining religious teachings with the country's moral values.
The Vice President made these remarks when a delegation from the Archdiocese of Accra and family members of the late Archbishop paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House to announce his demise and funeral arrangement.
The Vice President noted that the late Archbishop epitomized the solid leadership of the catholic in Ghana. Eulogizing the Archbishop, Vice President Amissah-Arthur said Ghana was very grateful to God for giving Archbishop Andoh as a gift to the Catholic church and the nation as a whole, saying his works would continue to serve as a source of inspirations for those who come after.
In 1971, the late Archbishop was elevated to the Episcopal See of Accra becoming its first Ghanaian Bishop. As the Episcopal See of Accra, he received the late Pope John Paul in the Holy Cathedral at the start of his Papal visit to Ghana. Pope John elevated the Accra Diocese to a Metropolitan Diocese and the late Archbishop was installed as the first Archbishop. He was also elected the President of the Ghana Catholics Bishops' Conference from 1973 to 1982 during the period which he undertook reforms in the catholic church in Ghana towards pastoral ministry and reconciliation. On March 30, 2005, Archbishop Andoh retired at the age of 75 and Archbishop Charles Palma Buckle was installed as his successor.
In 2006, the state acknowledged his creativity, excellence and hard work done to the people of Ghana when former President J.A. Kufour conferred on him the Order of the Star of Ghana.
He passed to eternity in the evening of the May 17, 2013, just about two weeks after his 84 th birthday. He was a priest for 56 years and 4 months as well as a bishop for 41 years and 4 months.