Accra, June 19, GNA - Donkorkrom in the Afram Plains of the Eastern Region has been elevated to an Apostolic Prefecture of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI, separating it from the Koforidua Diocese. The Very Reverend Father Gabriel Edoe Kumordji of the Superior Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in Ghana has subsequently been appointed the first Apostolic Prefect of the Prefecture.

At a press Conference in Accra to announce the elevation, Reverend Father Rudy Chamenyi, General Secretary of SVD, noted that the Catholic Church in Afram Plains was growing steadily but had not yet arrived at a full stage establishment of Diocese.

The Pope in his decision to establish the Prefecture in the Afram Plains wants particular attention to be given to area. Rev. Father Chamenyi said the duty of the Prefect was therefore to promote the growth of the church as well as the spiritual and social welfare of the people of God under his care, deal directly with the Vatican in Rome and perform all the duties of a bishop with the exception of ordaining priests.

The Afram Plains originally were part of Accra Archdiocese and with the division of the Archdiocese in 1992 it came under the diocese of Koforidua.

The new Prefecture has to its credit four active parishes - Donkorkrom, Adeemmra, Tease and Mammie Krobo, 89 out stations, 102 catechists and a total catholic population of 1,200. It also has two convents of the Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS), a vocational school, a clinic among others.

Born on March 24 1956, Father Kumordji attended Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Accra, and St. Victor's Major Seminary at Tamale. He made the final vows on September 8, 1984 and was ordained priest in July 1985.

He holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Studies and musicology and a PhD. in intercultural studies.

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra expressed the hope that the Prefecture would soon attain the status of a diocese and also attract development to the area. He called on government to take development of the areas, which is the food basket of the country, seriously.