ARCHBISHOP KWOFIE PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR ST. RAPHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILDING AT LASHIBI

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, has pledged US$10,000 towards the construction of a permanent church building for St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church at Lashibi.

The pledge was made during the Archbishop’s inspection of developmental projects at the Catholic Youth Formation Centre, Lashibi, on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

During the inspection, the Archbishop, accompanied by the Priest-in-Charge of the Centre and Vocation Director, Very Rev. Fr. Edmund Ekow Neizer, his assistant and Youth Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Raymond Lord Ampong, Chairman of the Building Committee, Mr. Leander Joseph Adongo, and representatives of the parish community, toured the Centre to assess some of the projects currently underway.

The inspection included the new church building being constructed by the St. Raphael community and the ongoing extension works on the hostel facility. The Archbishop was briefed on the progress of the various projects and encouraged the community to remain committed to the development of the Centre, particularly its mission of providing formation and pastoral support for the youth of the Archdiocese.

The Archbishop was briefed on the progress of the projects and the efforts being made by the various stakeholders to provide improved facilities for the Centre and the youth who use it for worship, formation, meetings, and other pastoral activities.

The visit also gave the Archbishop the opportunity to interact with those directly involved in the projects and to appreciate the sacrifices being made by the St. Raphael community and other benefactors to advance the development of the Centre.

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie expressed appreciation to the community for the work already done and encouraged them not to lose sight of the pastoral purpose of the various projects. He particularly commended the commitment of the St. Raphael community, which, despite being relatively small, had taken upon itself the responsibility of constructing a permanent church building after worshipping at the Youth Centre for many years.

In response to an appeal for assistance towards the completion of the church building, the Archbishop pledged US$10,000 to support the project.

Speaking in an interview, the Chairman of the Building Committee of the Church Pastoral Council, Mr. Leander Joseph Adongo, explained that St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church was a relatively small community that had been worshipping at the Youth Centre for the past 19 years. He explained that the decision to construct a permanent church building was taken as part of the community’s contribution to the development of the Youth Formation Centre and also to provide a befitting place of worship for the youth of the Archdiocese.

Mr. Adongo disclosed that the building had reached the lintel level and was progressing steadily towards the roofing stage. He said the community was hopeful that with the necessary financial and material support, the church building could be completed within approximately eight to ten months, enabling the faithful to begin worshipping in the new facility. Mr. Adongo thanked Archbishop Kwofie for the US$10,000 pledge. He said the Archbishop’s support had given the community renewed strength to continue the work. He stressed that the church building was being constructed for a wider pastoral purpose, particularly because the Youth Formation Centre serves young people from across the Archdiocese. He appealed to parishes across the Archdiocese of Accra, Catholic individuals, organisations and other well-wishers to support the project. He said the community needed both financial and material assistance to complete the building.

Mr. Adongo explained that the church would also serve the many young people who come to the Youth Formation Centre for various programmes. He therefore appealed to the wider Catholic community to see the project as a shared responsibility. He said anyone interested in supporting the project could contact the priest in charge and Rector of the Centre, the Chairman of the Projects Committee, the CPC Chairman, Mr. Francis Agyemang, or the Chairman of the Fundraising Committee. “This is a very small community that has done this. Imagine if we get the support of the entire Diocese,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to Archbishop Kwofie for taking the time to visit the project and encourage the community. He expressed confidence that if the entire Archdiocese comes together to support the initiative, the church project could be completed within an eight-to-ten-month period. He said the Archbishop’s presence, encouragement and pledge had demonstrated his concern for the development of the Catholic community and the pastoral needs of young people.

The CPC Chairman of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Mr. Francis Agyemang, also spoke about the development of the Youth Formation Centre. He expressed gratitude to the people and benefactors who had supported the Centre over the years.

Mr. Agyemang said several projects were currently ongoing at the Centre. He mentioned the extension of the hostel facility, which he said had received support from benefactors associated with Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Narh Asare. He also mentioned the development of the church.

According to him, these projects are important because the Centre continues to serve young people from different parts of the Archdiocese. He said one of the major needs of the Centre was a larger worship and gathering space.

Mr. Agyemang explained that more young people were attending programmes at the Centre, making a bigger facility necessary. He said the facility would provide enough space for worship, formation, meetings and other activities. He therefore appealed to individuals, parishes, organisations and other benefactors to support the development of the Centre. He expressed hope that with the support of the Catholic community, the Centre would continue to grow and become a vibrant place for youth formation. He thanked everyone who had contributed to the development of the Centre and prayed for God’s blessings upon all those supporting the projects.

The visit by Archbishop Kwofie has given the St. Raphael community fresh encouragement as it works towards completing its permanent church building.

Story by:

Thelma N.E. Impraim-Holm

Depsocom Accra