His Eminence Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier, OFM, the Special Envoy of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, has commended Ghana for its vibrant Catholic Church and its continued progress in national development.
The Archbishop Emeritus of Durban, who is in Ghana on an official mission from the Holy See, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President of the Republic, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, as part of activities marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in Ghana.
In his remarks, Cardinal Napier praised Ghana’s enduring commitment to faith, integrity, and good governance.
“Ghana should continue doing the wonderful things it is doing. The Church here is vibrant — a true sign of how much the country is moving forward,” he said.
“Ghana stands out as a leader in Africa. It must continue to show the continent how to run a nation devoid of corruption and filled with purpose,” he added, while extending the Holy Father’s blessings to the Government and people of Ghana.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang, in response, expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for its unwavering contributions to Ghana’s social and human development.
“We thank the Catholic Church for its immense role in shaping education, health, and moral development in Ghana,” she stated.
“The Government remains determined to play its part and leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” she affirmed.
The courtesy call highlighted the Vatican’s goodwill towards the Government and people of Ghana and reflected the Church’s long-standing collaboration with the State in promoting faith, education, peace, and national development.
The 75th anniversary marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s Catholic history, recalling April 18, 1950, when Pope Pius XII elevated Cape Coast to the status of an Archdiocese and created the Dioceses of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Keta — formally organising the Catholic Church’s hierarchy in Ghana.
Adding his voice, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, commended the enduring bond between the Church and the State, describing it as “a model for faith-based collaboration in Africa.”
“This visit by the Papal Envoy is not only symbolic but deeply spiritual. It reaffirms the Church’s historic role in nation-building and social transformation,” Hon. Afriyie Ankrah said.
“Ghana’s example of religious tolerance and unity continues to inspire hope across the continent. We shall continue to deepen this relationship in the spirit of mutual respect and shared service to humanity,” he added.
The visit forms part of a series of national and ecclesiastical events commemorating the diamond jubilee of the Catholic Church’s hierarchical establishment in Ghana, reaffirming the enduring partnership between faith and governance in shaping the nation’s destiny.
