Koforidua, March 6, GNA - Pope John Paul the Second has promoted the Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, the Very Reverend Father Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum to the office of Monsignor, the Bishop of the Diocese, the Most Reverend Charles Palmer-Buckle, announced this at Koforidua to a congregation of worshippers at the St George's Cathedral on Friday.

In a statement, he said the promotion, which took effect from January 8, was contained in a letter with the attached Papal Parchment signed by the Vatican's Secretary of State, Angelo Cardinal Sodano, and delivered to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. George Kocherry on February 22.

According to him, the promotion made Monsignor Afrifah-Agyekum, 55, a Prelate of Honour of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul. Mon. Afrifah-Agyekum was born at Akim Swedru on December 22, 1954, and was ordained as a Priest by the Most Rev. Dominic Andoh, then Bishop of Accra, on July 17, 1983, after his seminary training at the St Peter's Major Seminary, Pedu.

After three years of priestly work, he proceeded to Rome, Italy, to pursue post-graduate studies at the Anselmianun, from 1986 to 1992 where he obtained a doctorate degree in Sacred Liturgy.

On his return home in 1992, he was appointed the Parish Priest for the St George's Cathedral parish, Koforidua.

With the coming into being of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua in 1993, he was appointed the Administrator of the St George's Cathedral and Vicar General of the Diocese.

Mon. Afrifah-Agyekum, whose formal investiture would take place on Sunday, April 3, at the St George's Cathedral, is among other positions, the Chairman of the Management Board of the Catholic Educational Unit as well as Diocesan Administrator of Lands and Estate of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua.