Seven Newly Ordained Deacons in Ghana Urged to “connect altar of sacrifice to daily struggles of God’s people”

Accra, 22 January, 2026 / 4:02 PM

Seven Seminarians ordained Deacons in Ghana’s Catholic Archdiocese of Accra have been urged to link their liturgical duties at the altar with service to the daily struggles of God’s people, particularly the poor and marginalized.

In his homily during the Tuesday, January 20, Diaconate Ordination of the seven Seminarians, which Bishop John Kobina Louis presided, Fr. Dr. George Obeng Appah reminded the Deacons-elect that their ordination is a call to serve, not to seek recognition.

“Do not be interested in the title of being called a reverend, but be concerned to serve,”  Fr. Appah said during the Eucharistic celebration that was held at St. Theresa Kaneshie Parish of Accra Archdiocese.

He added, “You are being handed over to Christ and his Church for service. Your time, your strength, your talents, and even your weaknesses are now placed at the service of the Gospel.”

“You are called to connect the altar of sacrifice to the daily struggles of God’s holy people,” Fr. Appah said.

Hereflected on the Deacons’ role in addressing the real needs of the community, comparing them to the seven Deacons chosen in Acts 6 to serve at tables. 

“The Archdiocese of Accra has many tables today: the table of the poor, the table of the sick, the table of the forgotten, the table of families under pressure, tables of land under degradation, the table of a land suffering under galamsey, and the table of young students searching for meaning. You are being ordained to serve at these tables,” he emphasized. 

The Headmaster of Aquinas Senior High School, Accra, who themed his homily “Grounded in Service”, highlighted the link between service and authority within the Church.

“Service forms the minister before authority is entrusted to him. Service forms the Priest before authority is entrusted to him. Service forms the Bishop before authority is entrusted to him. And anyone who cannot faithfully serve as a Deacon will struggle to shepherd humbly as a Priest,” Fr. Appah said.

Focusing on the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:13-16, he reminded the Deacons-elect and the faithful of their identity as the salt and light of the world, explaining that these elements exist for the sake of others, not themselves. 

“Salt and light are rooted in service. These elements find their true meaning when they are employed to serve,” he said. 

Fr. Appah further urged them to let their integrity and humility shine brighter than their titles or vestments, reminding them that “today you have been lit as seven lamps not to beautify the sanctuary but to light the way for God’s people. For a light that does not guide is merely a decoration.”

Fr. Appah urged the Deacons-elect to be credible witnesses who combine prayer, emotional maturity, intellectual seriousness, and pastoral availability. 

“May your service as deacons be firmly grounded in service, faithful at the altar, generous to God’s people, and steadfast in humility until the day the Lord calls you to serve as Priests,” he said. 

He also thanked the families of the Deacons-elect and encouraged the Archdiocese to support the new Deacons with prayer and patience, describing them as “work in progress.”

In his opening remarks, Bishop Kobina drew on the liturgical prayers of the day, urging the Deacons-elect to “be effective in action, gentle in ministry, constant in prayer, be filled with the spirit of humility and the spirit of zeal.”

The ceremony began with a welcome address from Mr. Emmanuel Ofori Dankwa, Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council, who expressed appreciation to the Local ordinary of Accrafor choosing their parish for the solemn celebration. 

He urged the Deacons-elect to remain humble, faithful to the Gospel, and committed to serving God’s people, particularly the poor and marginalized, saying: “We urge you to always remain humble servants rooted in prayer, faithful to the Gospel, and committed to the service of God’s people, especially to the poor and marginalized.”

The seven Seminarians ordained Deacons include  Francis James Nii Ayi Ankrah, Gabriel Nuertey Atakplai, Justice Kawku Tsinowope, Michael Atiawin Abilla, Emmanuel Mawuli Kodzo Ahiatrogah, Anthony Anim Addo, and Christopher Delali Ezor.

Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric of Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese contributed to this story