Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Gets New Building

The Most Reverend Joseph Francis Kwaku Essien, Bishop of Wiawso Diocese, has said Ghana which started from Gold Coast a free country, has gone into captivity.

In homily during the dedicated of a new church complex for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the Aowin Municipality of the Western Region, Most Rev. Essien asked the congregation to compare the current state of the country to the time it had independence in 1957.

He expressed worry that many factories that were established decades ago in every part of the country with the view to make Ghana an industrial hub had collapsed.

He mentioned the ceramic factory in Saltpond, jute factory in Kumasi, Pwallugu Tomato factory, Nsawam Cannery, Bonsa Tyre factory, Aboso Glass factory and sugar factories at Asuatuare and Komenda,

Others include the Kade Matches factory, Bolgatanga Meat factory and Bamboo factory at Manso Amenfi.

The ceremony was attended by pastors, Priests, chiefs, elders, politicians, opinion leaders, Muslims and Church members.

The Bishop of Wiawso Diocese said these industries were in existence, but they have been abandoned to deteriorate, adding that, 'Interestingly, we have not been able to bring one of these factories to production stage'.

Most Rev. Essien lamented that a country which mined gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese and also produced timber, cocoa and oil in commercial quantity cannot provide enough beds for pregnant women in their health facilities while students are overcrowded in dormitories and classrooms.

He called on Ghanaians to refrain from making these challenges a blame game and instead work towards reviving the factories that have been left to waste.

Most Rev. Essien entreated the bishops, priests, religious groups, church members and the entire nation to rededicate themselves as people of God.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Western Regional Minister, Mr Mathais Ntow, Member of Parliament for Aowin Constituency and Municipal Chief Executive for Aowin, Mr Samuel Adu-Gyamfi graced the occasion.

Rev Monsignor Simon Assamoah, Vicar General of Wiawso Diocese and Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in a welcome address recounted how the Catholic faith was sown at Enchi in1916, over a century ago.

He said the Church had gone through many stages in her growth and history has it that the first Church building was a mud structure at Adumline, a suburb of Enchi.

Rev. Msgr Assamoah said as the population of members increased, various kinds of churches were built to accommodate them.

"In all, four churches have been used in the past hundred years of the existence of the Catholic faith at Enchi," He added.

The Parish Priest said during the planning of the centenary celebration of the faith at Enchi, the members decided to build a new church for the celebration that would be used for a hundred years and beyound.

On February 7, 2016, a sod cutting ceremony took place for the commencement of a new church which took two years, four months to complete.

He expressed gratitude to all donors who contributed generously to help in completing the magnificent edifice.

Rev. Msgr Assamoah was appreciative of members of Ghana Friendship Project, the organization which was formed to help him in all projects in Ghana in terms of schools, healthcare and other social interventions.

He was also grateful to the parishioners for supporting him to complete the project successfully, adding that the beauty of the Church should reflect in their lives and draw them closer to God.

Katakyei Kwasi Bumangamah II, Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area extolled Rev. Assamoah and donated a musical instrument to the Church.