10th Episcopal Anniversary Durbar of Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

The event was themed “A Decade Shepherding God’s Flock: Looking into the Future as Pilgrims of Hope.”

The celebration brought together several dignitaries, including Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, who represented Hon. Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff. Also in attendance were other government officials, clergy, and members of the Catholic community.

As part of the occasion, the Chief of Staff donated GH₵30,000 to support the completion of the Ho Cathedral, a major project of the Diocese.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Hon. Afriyie Ankrah commended Bishop Fianu for his decade of dedicated service, describing him as a man of humility, wisdom, and faith. He noted that Bishop Fianu’s influence extends beyond the Diocese through his contributions to national peace and dialogue as a member of the National Peace Council.

“When you encounter Bishop Fianu, his aura is one of peace, gentleness, and love,” he said.

Touching on President John Mahama’s 24-hour economy agenda, Hon. Ankrah emphasized that national peace is essential for such a vision to thrive. He therefore called on all people of faith to nurture peace, justice, and integrity within their communities.

He further praised Bishop Fianu for his contributions to healthcare and social interventions in the region, noting that his leadership has had a tangible impact on community development.

Hon. Ankrah also highlighted the spiritual and communal significance of the Cathedral project, saying:

“A cathedral is more than a place of worship. It is a sanctuary for families, a heritage of faith, and a symbol of unity.”

He assured that the Chief of Staff would personally visit the Cathedral site during future trips to Ho to reaffirm his support.

Rev. Fr. Walter Agbeto also commended Bishop Fianu for his transformational leadership, noting that the Bishop has established a strong connection with all parts of the Diocese. He lauded his role in initiating a 10-year Strategic Plan for the Diocese, developed with facilitators from the University of Ghana, focusing on:

• Human resource management
• Financial development
• Social and economic development
• Religious and missionary engagement

Fr. Agbeto praised the Bishop’s active involvement in the Diocese’s healthcare institutions, noting that his leadership has brought “a lot of sanity” to their management. He also acknowledged Bishop Fianu’s transparency and accountability, wishing him well in his continued service.

In his address, Bishop Emmanuel Fianu expressed heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries and congregants for their presence.

“I am deeply moved to see so many of you here today. It makes me emotional, but I will try to manage it,” he said warmly.

Reflecting on his decade of service, Bishop Fianu said the period has been marked by both significant achievements and valuable lessons, urging the faithful to look ahead with renewed collaboration and hope.

He announced the establishment of the Integrated Sustainability Collusion (ISC), a non-governmental organization aimed at sourcing funding and support from agencies that may not be able to directly assist the Diocese. The ISC, he explained, will drive socio-economic initiatives that will indirectly strengthen the Church through community empowerment.

Speaking to the media, Bishop Fianu affirmed that unfinished projects from the past decade will be revisited in the coming years. On his continued involvement in healthcare, he reiterated the Catholic Church’s commitment to delivering quality health services to society.

He concluded with an appeal to all parishioners and stakeholders to join hands in completing the Ho Cathedral, emphasizing that the project remains a unifying symbol of faith and community in the Diocese.

The Thanksgiving Mass was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ho Police Depot.