Koforidua, April 12, GNA - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Very Reverend Monsignor Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Diocesan Administrator of the Koforidua Diocese as its new Bishop.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. George Kocherry, made the announcement on Wednesday during the celebration of 'Chrism Mass, which he presided over in the St George's Cathedral at Koforidua. Bishop-elect Afrifah-Agyekum, 52, succeeded Most. Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, currently the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, who was the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese, which was carved out of then Accra Diocese in 1991.

The appointment of Rev Afrifah-Agyekum, described by the Nuncio as an "Easter gift to the Diocese from the Pope", was received with deafening applause from the congregation, consisting priests and nuns from the Diocese.

After the announcement, Archbishop Kocherry put a ring, golden chain and a cap on the Bishop-elect, to signify his new status while the congregation sang "joy like a river in my soul". Bishop-elect Afrifah-Agyekum, who was born at Akim Swedru in the Birim South District, was ordained a priest on July 17, 1983 in Accra by Most Rev. Dominic Kodjo Andoh, then Bishop of Accra.

After his ordination, Rev Afrifah-Agyekum worked as Assistant Priest at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra and later as Parish Priest for St Peter's, Osu until 1986 when he entered the Pontificio Ateneo San't Anselmo in Rome, where he obtained a Doctorate Degree in Sacred Liturgy in 1992.

On his return to Ghana, Rev Afrifah-Agyekum was appointed Parish Priest of St George's Parish, Koforidua in 1993 and later became the Cathedral Administrator and Vicar General when the Diocese was created. On January 5, 2005, he was raised to the rank of the Prelate of Honour (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II and was later elected the Diocesan Administrator, following the departure of Archbishop Palmer-Buckle in March 30, 2005.

Speaking to newsmen, the Bishop-elect said he was both surprised and shocked when he heard about his elevation. "I did not know whether to be sad or happy".

He thanked God and the Pope for finding him worthy to be "the shepherd" of the Diocese.

On his plan for the Diocese, Bishop-elect Afrifah-Agyekum said he would build the faithful in the Diocese to become "one family of God where everyone will see each other as members of the family."