Five priests fund new church for four communities in Ghana

Five Catholic priests in the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua invested GH¢1.6 million of their personal funds to build St. John Vianney Catholic Church in the New Juaben South Municipality of Ghana's Eastern Region.

The new building has a capacity of 300 people and serves the communities of Trom, Bornya, Korle, and Abansro. The priests completed the construction project in eight months.

Bishop Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, led the dedication of the church and stated that he had not seen a similar private initiative in his 40 years of priesthood. The bishop noted that the project showed how efficient resource management can lower infrastructure costs. The new church provides a local worship space for residents who previously had to travel more than three miles to reach nearby churches.

Community members reported that the previous travel distance made it difficult to attend services, especially on Sundays when transportation was scarce. Monsignor Francis Twum-Barimah will oversee the new church and provide its pastoral services.