Monument Blessing Crowns Christ the King Parish’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations
Christ the King Catholic Parish, Cantonments, climaxed its 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Sunday, May 31, 2026, coinciding with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The occasion brought together parishioners, clergy, religious, guests, and dignitaries in a grand celebration of faith, thanksgiving, and fellowship under the theme, “75 Years of Eucharistic Fellowship: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Love.”
The celebration commenced with a welcome address by the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Dr. Henry Awuviri, who warmly received the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, assistant priests Rev. Fr. Gerald Owusu-Amankwatia and Rev. Fr. Julius Kofi Dela Gemadzi, Rev. Fr. George Mensah, religious sisters, parishioners, and guests.
Reflecting on the parish’s 75-year journey, Dr. Awuviri expressed profound gratitude to God for His faithfulness, mercy, and guidance. He paid tribute to the founders of the parish, former parish priests, catechists, choir members, youth leaders, volunteers, and all those who have contributed to the growth and development of Christ the King Parish. He encouraged the youth and children to build upon the strong foundation laid by previous generations. He urged parishioners to embrace gratitude, faith, and love as they look to the future.
In his homily, Archbishop Kwofie reflected on the significance of Trinity Sunday and the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. He described Ordinary Time as a season during which Christians deepen their understanding of discipleship through the teachings and life of Jesus Christ.
The Archbishop commended Christ the King Parish for its remarkable contribution to evangelization and the formation of faithful Catholics over the years. He acknowledged the dedicated service of former and current parish priests, including Fr. Wells, Msgr. Adu-Kwaning, Fr. Adelaayitar, Fr. Campbell, and the current Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, whose leadership has fostered both spiritual and infrastructural development within the parish.
Drawing from Scripture, the Archbishop encouraged the faithful to strengthen their trust in God and highlighted the Sign of the Cross as a simple yet profound expression of Christian faith and prayer. Reflecting on the day’s readings, he reminded the congregation that God is both merciful and just, and that His love for humanity is perfectly revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Archbishop also used the occasion to address the growing challenge of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He lamented its devastating impact on the environment and society and called on all Ghanaians to support efforts to eradicate the practice. Stressing that the issue transcends political affiliations, he urged national leaders to take decisive action to safeguard the country’s natural resources for future generations.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, expressed heartfelt appreciation to parishioners, members of the planning committee, the Parish Executive, priests, religious, and the parish orchestra for their dedication and support throughout the anniversary celebrations. He particularly commended the orchestra for their inspiring musical performances, which added joy and solemnity to the occasion.
The Parish Priest reminded the congregation of the major legacy projects undertaken to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee: the Children’s Chapel and the Christ the King 75th Anniversary Monument. He noted that despite concerns about weather conditions and construction timelines, he remained confident in God’s providence. By God’s grace, the monument was completed in time for the celebrations.
He also acknowledged the contributions of individuals who played significant roles in the successful execution of the project. Special appreciation was extended to architect Karol Kunko for developing the monument’s design and concept, and to Hashim Ibrahim, Project Team Leader, for overseeing and coordinating the construction. He further thanked Very Rev. Fr. Clement Wilson for his guidance and consultation, as well as the construction team and the electrical engineer for their invaluable contributions.
A major highlight of the celebration was the unveiling and blessing of the Christ the King 75th Anniversary Monument by Archbishop Kwofie. He was joined by the Parish Priest, the Chairperson of the 75th Anniversary Committee, Capt. Frank Aidoo-Andoh (Rtd), Dr. Henry Awuviri, members of the anniversary committee, former committee chairpersons, members of the Parish Executive, school authorities, priests, and religious.
The ceremony was further enriched by a vibrant performance from the Sunday School children, who entertained the congregation with songs and recitations, bringing joy and excitement to the celebration.
Another notable highlight was the presentation of a cash donation to the Archbishop in support of the Legacy of Hope Children’s Hospital Project. The contribution reflected the parish’s commitment to charitable causes and the welfare of children.
The celebration also featured the cutting of the 75th Anniversary cake by the Archbishop, the Parish Priest, parish leaders, and members of the anniversary committee.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations concluded in an atmosphere of thanksgiving and joy as parishioners reflected on God’s faithfulness over the past 75 years and looked forward with hope and renewed commitment to the future of Christ the King Parish.
Story by:
Thelma N. E. Impraim-Holm
DEPSOCOM Accra
