 t
its inception in 1981 the Anglican Diocese of Koforidua-Ho
had only seven priests who ministered to 30 congregations in eight
parishes with a total numerical strength of 5,000. The Diocese itself
comprises the Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana, hence the name
Koforidua-Ho for its two principal cities. The diocese covers an
area with a total population of 3.5 million, covering an area of
approximately 25,000 square miles. Ghana as a whole covers an area
of 143,000 square miles with a total population of nearly 20 million.
The need to develop existing resources and to train more workers
for the new Diocese was imperative from its erection. The first
Diocesan Synod meeting in 1982 declared evangelism and expansion
as its primary objective. A special crash program to train and
develop the required human resources was made the top priority
and given all available financial resources.
As a result, the Diocese can now boast of 43 active Clergy, including
the Bishop, with more ordinands in training. In addition to the clergy
there are two diocesan catechists, one parochial catechist, 30 lay readers,
one evangelist, and six retired priests serving 34 parishes with a total
of eighty congregations and a total membership of 20,000.
About one-third of the active clergy have received post-ordination
training in different areas of specialized ministry overseas. In addition,
six members of the laity have also benefited from overseas training
in: youth work, Christian education, and women's development. Training
workshops are held regularly to assist clergy and the laity to upgrade
their knowledge and skills. Health issues are taken seriously and regular
training workshops are held on such issues as sexually transmitted infections,
particularly the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Mrs. Juliana S. Okine, wife of Archbishop
Okine is the driving force behind diocesan HIV/AIDS programs. Furthermore,
a second cycle institution has been established to cater to the secondary
and technical educational needs of the communities that make up the
Diocese. Koforidua
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