Saltpond, May 2, GNA - The Saints Peter and Paul Parish of the Anglican Church at Saltpond has been elevated to an Archdeaconry, the fifth in the Cape Coast Diocese.

The other ones are the Cape Coast, Winneba, Assin Foso and Dunkwa on-Offin.

The creation of Archdeaconries formed part of the Church's decentralisation programme to make them autonomous.

The Saltpond Archdeaconry comprises Anomabo, Saltpond, Mankessim, Abeadze Dominase and Ajumako Bisease Parishes of the church. Venerable Father Francis Ato Koomson, the Parish Priest was inducted as the first Archdeacon by the Right Reverend D S A Allotey, Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese.

He commended the Saltpond archdeaconry for providing about half of the clergy in the diocese.

Rt. Rev Allotey said the elevation of the parish would facilitate the evangelisation drive of the Church and urged the members particularly the clergy to be "Good Shepherds" and to let their lifestyles be an example to attract more people to the Church. They should give good advice and support the needy not only in the Church but also in the society as well.

Father Koomson promised to offer dedicated service and leadership by example.

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, MP for Mfantseman West and Deputy Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City and Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, District Chief Executive attended the inauguration.