Accra, Nov. 6, GNA - A large crowd of Catholics this evening thronged the Kotoka International Airport to welcome his Eminent Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson from the Vatican, Rome after his investiture.

When the plane touched down and taxied to the VVIP base at the Airport there were shouts of joy, clapping of hands, waving of white handkerchief, and drumming of Fontonfrom by the Ghana Dance Company. Cardinal Turkson was met by the First Lady, Madam Theresa Kufuor; Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Afriyie and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Akwesi Osei-Adjei, all Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic Church in Ghana and the Apostolic Pro Nuncio George Kocherri. In a brief interview with Journalists, Cardinal Turkson expressed his appreciation to the Church and Government for their show of solidarity.

He said his elevation was in recognition of the good work of the Church in Ghana and that he shared his joy with the Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Cardinal Turkson said the Church and the State were supposed to work together to realise the aspiration of the people, adding that the current healthy relationship enjoyed by both parties had more room for improvement.

His Eminent Pope John Paul II elevated Archbishop Turkson of Cape Coast to the rank of Cardinal two weeks ago in Rome making him the first Ghanaian to be honoured with the position.

He thus becomes a member of the Church's College of Cardinals whose most important function is the election of Popes.

Archbishop Turkson becomes one of the 18 Cardinals in Africa whose responsibility also include advising the Pope on matters affecting the Catholic Church.

Catholics gives Cardinal Turkson warm reception

Accra, Nov 6, GNA - A large crowd of Catholic faithful on Thursday attend a liturgical reception for His Eminence Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra, amidst singing drumming and dancing.

Cardinal Turkson had return home from the Vatican City, Rome after his investiture by Pope John Paul II.

led by plice escort, Cardinal Turkson finally arrived at 02000 hrs at the Cathedral in the company of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, George Kochery and fourteen other Bishops and Archbishops, Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers.

The crowd climbed chairs to catch a glimpse of Cardinal Turkson as he entered the chapel amidst songs of praise, shouts of congratulations and waving of handkerchiefs.

In his exhortation, Cardinal Turkson said " this nomination is in recognition of what we are as a church in Ghana," adding that the honour was not for him alone but for the entire Catholic Church.

He urged the faithfuls to pray for him and his colleagues so that they would be able to carry the honour to a credible end.

Cardinal Turkson said the Bishops' success in prayers would make people experience the Holy Spirit and peace in their homes to enable them to manifest the goodness of God by becoming apostles of God wherever they found themselves.

He said whenever Christ appointed someone, he also empowered the person to be able to open the eyes of the blind and to bring comfort to the poor.

Archbishop Dominic Andoh, Metropolitan Arch-Bishop of Greater Accra hailed Cardinal Turkson for his achievement saying, "indeed your elevation is a joy to all and the whole country is honoured."

He described Cardinal Turkson as a supreme model of the church and asked him to count on Ghanaians whether old or young for support.

The Reverend Father Seth Agyeman, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat said the celebration was an expression of the joy and honour the elevation of Cardinal Turkson had brought to Ghanaians.

He said from his nomination to his elevation, Cardinal Turkson clearly manifested his readiness to support the Church. Meanwhile Cardinal Turkson will leave the Apostolic Nunciature in Accra on Saturday November 8 to Cape Coast. All Catholics faithfuls are therefore called upon to converge at Abaca Lapaz, Malam Junction, Weija junction to bid him farewell to his diocese. 6 Nov. 03