The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), Ghana Region, living and working in Donkorkrom, in the Eastern Region of Ghana have lived to witness the Installation of the very first Bishop of the newly elevated Catholic Diocese of Donkorkrom, which took place on August 8, 2026.
The MSHR Congregation has been in Ghana for over 50 years, following the arrival of the two pioneer Missionaries: Srs. Brenda Kelly, MSHR and M. Coronata Walsh (RIP) MSHR, in the Sunyani Diocese on May 18, 1975, at the invitation of the then Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu (RIP).
In 1994, the Sisters had moved to Kuntenase, in the then Kumasi Diocese, and later came under Obuasi Diocese when Kumasi was split.
At the invitation of the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, then Apostolic Vicar of the then newly elevated Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, the Holy Rosary Sisters had moved to Donkorkrom on December 30, 2010, where they have lived till date, and engage in various ministries including Health, Education, Social Communication, Pastoral, amongst others.
The Sisters, being part of the pastoral agents in the Donkorkrom Diocese, participated actively in preparations leading up to the Installation of the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, as the First Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese. He had taken over from Bishop Kumordji as the Apostolic Vicar.
MSHR were involved in various Committees of the Installation including Music, Communication and Health.
The Congregational Leader of MSHR, Sr. Franca Onyibor, to honour this unique event, had sent a Goodwill Message on behalf of all the Holy Rosary Sisters worldwide, which was inserted in the Installation Brochure, along with others.
In the Goodwill Message, Sr. Franca extended heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Asiedu, noting that his Installation as First Bishop of Donkorkrom Diocese held great spiritual importance, not only for the local Church of Donkorkrom, but also for the entire Church of Ghana and beyond.
“Having collaborated with you as a congregation over the years, we are very happy and proud to have been part of this journey since our arrival in the then Vicariate in 2010,” she celebrated.
She remarked that the creation of the Diocese is a testament to the growth of the Catholic Faith and the steadfast commitment of clergy, religious and lay faithful who have devoted themselves to the mission of Christ.
She prayed, in her message, that as the Chief Shepherd embarks on the new chapter, faith, hope and charity may continue to flourish throughout the Diocese of Donkorkrom, and that God may bless its efforts in evangelization, and make the Diocese a place where all people are welcomed with compassion and love.
The Congregational Leader appreciated the leadership of the newly installed Bishop, invoking the Holy Spirit to guide him in his ministry, inspiring unity and holiness among the faithful.
The Holy Rosary Sisters working in Ghana joined the Priests and Religious working in the Diocese to pay allegiance to the First Bishop of Donkorkrom.
Sr. Ekwutosi Onyeke, MSHR, the newly appointed Regional Leader for Southern Nigeria happened to have been visiting Donkorkrom at the time, and joined the Sisters in the celebrations.
Other Women Religious Congregations present were the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), working in the Diocese, amongst other Religious who had come from outside to join in the celebration.
His Excellency, Julien Kabore, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, was the Special Guest of Honour at the Installation, and concelebrated with 10 other Ghanaian Bishops, together with a score of Priests from within and outside the Diocese.
Many other Dignitaries were present for the occasion, including the Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, together with his entourage.
Two Bishops paid a courtesy visit to the Holy Rosary Sisters Convent at Asikasu-Donkorkrom after the Installation ceremony. They were the Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso Diocese and Episcopal Chairman for the Department of Social Communications (DEPSOCOM) and Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, now Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Diocese)
