Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong

Diocese of Asante Mampong

The Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong (ADAM) was inaugurated on 23 November 2014 by the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), having previously been within the Diocese of Kumasi. The first Diocesan Bishop of Asante Mampong is Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, formerly suffragan bishop under the authority of the Bishop of Kumasi. The new Diocese covers a remote rural and forest area of the Ashanti region and supports practical ministry in education, health and the provision of clean water as a part of its Christian mission.

Creation of ADAM

ADAM was first created as a Suffragan area of the Diocese of Kumasi. The idea to carve ADAM as a Suffragan area was mooted by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo (as he then was), the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Kumasi, during a Diocesan Synod which was held in December, 2008 at the Anglican Hostel, KNUST, Kumasi. The main purpose of its creation was to facilitate the expansion, growth and effective Episcopal Administration. The Diocese of Kumasi was growing very fast with 46 parishes and 89 outstations. The creation of the Suffragan area was to enhance growth rate and effective evangelization of areas yet untouched by the Diocese of Kumasi; and to fast track Mission and Evangelism leading to further ceding of the area into a full-fledged Diocese in future. Immediately after the said 2008 Diocesan Synod, the decision was sent to the Archbishop and Primate of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Tilewa Johnson (deceased). The 10 Province gave the approval and reminded the Diocese of Kumasi about the requirements which must be satisfied. During the December, 2010 Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Kumasi, the Rev. Can. Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith (as he then was) was elected the Suffragan Bishop. He was consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Kumasi on 22nd May, 2011 at the St. Cyprian the Martyr Anglican Cathedral, Kumasi. The 2012 Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Kumasi adopted the idea that after the celebration of its 40th Anniversary of existence in August, 2013 the Diocese of Kumasi would give birth to a new Diocese. The CPWA Inspection Team was constituted and tasked to come to the Diocese of Kumasi, ascertain for themselves and submit a report on certain issues such as the boundary, number of parishes, budget for three years, financial viability, the Bishop‟s office and residence and the assets and liabilities. The Team sent two voluminous bound documents to the Province and copies to all Diocesan Bishops in the Province for their approval. All the Bishops in the Province endorsed for the creation of the ADAM. At the Standing Committee meeting of the CPWA on 5th July, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia, a second endorsement was given for the creation and inauguration of ADAM on Christ the King Sunday, 23rd November, 2014 at Mampong, Ashanti at 9:30 a.m. At the end of the First Session of the Seventeenth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi at the Diocesan Retreat and Spiritual Renewal Centre, Nkawie – Ashanti, from 10th to 13th September, 2014, an ACTA was signed giving the Synod‟s approval for ceding of Mampong and Kumawu Archdeaconries of the Diocese to form ADAM. ADAM was then finally inaugurated. At a Special Diocesan Synod of ADAM held on the day of the Inauguration, 23rd November, 2014 at St. Monica‟s College of Education Library at 4:00p.m., Rt. Rev. Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith (as he then was) was elected the first Diocesan Bishop of the ADAM. He was enthroned as such first Diocesan Bishop on 30th November, 2014. At the time of the creation and inauguration, the Diocese comprised two (2) Archdeaconries namely Mampong and Kumawu Archdeaconries; seven (7) parishes namely St. Michael and All Angels, Mampong; St. Peter, Kumawu; St. Mary, Ejura; St. Andrew, Kwamang; St. Joseph, Nsuta; St. Paul, Juaben; St. Peter, Konongo-Odumasi; 2 Sub-parishes and 24 Outstations; the Suffragan Bishop and twelve (12) Priests. St. Michael and All Angels was chosen as the Cathedral of ADAM and the Cathedral building was dedicated by Archbishop Daniel Yinkah Sarfo and assisted by the then Suffragan Bishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith on 5th October, 2014.

Province and Parishes

Asante Mampong is the 17th Diocese within the Church of the Province of West Africa, 11 of which are in the internal Province of Ghana. The mother church of the Diocese is the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels in Mampong and there are currently parishes established at Kumawu (St Peter), Ejura (St Mary's ), Kwamang (St Andrew), Nsuta (St Joseph), Juaben (St Paul), Odumasi (St Peter), Daaho (St John), Kyiremfaso (St Paul), Abonkoso (St Thomas), Konongo (St Barnabas), Bonkro (St Augustine), Jamasi (St Nicholas sub-parish) and Dromankoma (Christ the King). Five more communities are preparing to receive parochial status: Effiduasi (St Mark), Woraso (St Mary), Agogo Anglican Community, Nobewam (St Anthony) and Kofiase/Benim Anglican Community. There is a larger number of small rural stations.

The Cathedral

Raised to cathedral status in 2014, the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels, Mampong, is the centre of mission for the Diocese. The Dean is Ven Bismark Opoku Acheampong and Acting Canon Precentor, Balthazar Obeng Larbi who is also Registrar of the Diocese. A significant number of honorary canons have been appointed from other provinces of the Anglican Communion to support the new Diocese with specific skills.

Mampong Archdeaconry

• St. John Parish, Daaho as the seat of the Archdeacon with 1 outstation
• St. Thomas Parish, Abonkosu with 2 outstations
• St. Augustine Parish, Bonkrong
• St. James Sub-parish, New Daamang
• St. Nicholas Parish, Jamasi with 3 outstations.

Kumawu Archdeaconry

• St. Peter Parish, Kumawu as the seat of the Archdeacon with 6 outstations
• St. Andrew Parish, Kwamang
• St. Martin, Amoamang Sub-parish and 2 outstations
• St. Joseph Parish, Nsuta with 3 outstations.

Ejura Archdeaconry

• St. Mary Parish, Ejura as the seat of the
• with 2 outstations
• St. Paul Parish, Kyiremfaso
• Christ Our Saviour, Kofiase
• Holy Trinity, Benim Sub-parish and 2 outstations
• Christ the King Parish, Dromankuma/Bonyon
• St. Peter, Kasei and St. Michael, Nkwanta and 1 outstation.

Juaben Archdeaconry

• St. Paul Parish as the seat of the Archdeaconry
• St. Mark Sub-parish, Effiduase with 1 outstation
• St. Peter Parish, Odumase (at Konongo) with 2 outstations
• St. Barnabas Parish, Konongo with 1 outstation.

	PARISH	DATE	GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
1	St. Thomas, Abonkosu	15th March, 2015	N/A
2	St. John, Daaho	22nd March, 2015	Hwediem, Nintin, Mprim road through Boanim, Wiamoase to the border with Agona; and through Bepoase to Kyekyewere and their environs.
3	St. Augustine, Bonkrong	12th April, 2015	Includes Gyetiase, Tadieso, Daamang, Nkwabrim, Mpentuase, Bimma and their environs.
4	St. Paul, Kyiremfaso-Besease	19th April, 2015	Towns/villages within the route to Ejura, ending at Kramokrom/Oseikrom and to Benim and Kofiase & environs.
5	St. Barnabas, Konongo	26th April, 2015	Extends towards Accra road and borders with the Diocese of Koforidua (all towns/villages within this route including all branch roads & environs.)
6	Christ the King, Dromankoma/ Bonyon/Kasei/Nkwanta	10th May, 2015	Bounded by Ejura, Oku and Diocese of Sunyani

	ARCHDEACONRY	DATE	ARCHDEACON
1	Kumawu	19th July, 2015	St. Peter, Kumawu (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Andrew, Kwamang St. Joseph, Nsuta And their Outstations and environs
2	Mampong	9 th August, 2015	St. John, Daaho (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Thomas Abonkosu St. Augustine, Bonkrong And their Outstations and environs
3	Ejura	30th August, 2015	St. Mary, Ejura (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Paul, Kyiremfaso Christ the King, Dromankuma/Bonyon And their Outstations and environs
4	Juaben	13th September, 2015	St. Paul, Juaben (Archdeaconry Seat) St. Peter, Konongo Odumase St. Barnabas, Konongo And their Outstations and environs

Ordination

There have been fourteen (14) ordinations so far; eight (8) Diaconates and six (6) Priesthoods. The total number of Clergy stands at thirty-four (34) excluding the Lord Bishop, made up of thirty-one (31) active and three (3) retired clergy. There is one (1) Seminarian at the St. Nicholas Theological Seminary at Cape Coast and one other who has been cassocked awaiting diaconate ordination.

Appointment of Canons

To facilitate the work of the Diocese in specific areas, Canons have been appointed to compliment the work of the Bishop. In accordance with the Diocesan Constitution, the Diocese has currently Three (3) Residentiary Canons and Five (5) Honorary Canons (with portfolio). There are also Seven (7) Honorary Canons (without portfolio otherwise known as Bishop Commissaries) and Sixteen (16) Lay Canons

Diocesan Evangelism

One major focal point of our Diocese is Evangelism. The Diocese has a Diocesan Evangelism Committee which is responsible for promoting and developing evangelism in the Diocese. An Evangelism Team has also been inaugurated to see to evangelism in the Diocese. Through the effort of our Diocesan Bishop, the Diocese has an Evangelism Bus which is used by the Committee for evangelism purposes. Diocesan Conventions are held once every year within the week preceding Palm Sunday inclusive. Churches are encouraged to establish prayer tower to encourage effective prayer within the Diocese.

Human Resource Development

It is the intention and purpose of the Diocese to devote adequate attention to human resource development of our people; to train more Clergy and laity to manage our teaming resources including our schools and other facilities. Various workshops have been organized for the Clergy, the Catechists, the Church Wardens and the Evangelism Team in the Diocese. Some of 14 our Clergy are having post ordination degree programme at the St. Nicholas Theological Seminary. Others are enrolled in academic studies including Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Th. and M.Ed., among others. Other Clergymen have completed Ph.D., M.Phil. (Religious Studies), M.Phil. (Environmental Science), M.A. (Theology and Religious Studies), B.Th., B.Sc., B.Ed., PGDE, among others. Some have travelled abroad for various studies and conferences. Such places include South Carolina, California and Virginia in USA; Rome; and Canterbury in the UK.

Guild Network

Guilds and associations within the Diocese have been reorganized and inaugurated to Diocesan Guilds, and Diocesan Executives have been elected and installed for the guilds. The recognized guilds and associations include: 1. The Association of the Anglican Church Choirs; 2. The Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary; 3. The Guild of the Good Shepherd; 4. The St. Mary‟s Guild [and the Children of Mary under the St. Mary‟s Guild]; 5. The Mothers‟ Union [and the Girl‟s Friendly Society under the Mother‟s Union]; 6. The Women‟s Fellowship; 7. The Men‟s Fellowship [and the A. C. M. S.]; and 8. The Anglican Young People‟s Association.

Diocesan Constitution

The Diocese has adopted, enacted and given to ourselves the Constitution of the Anglican Diocese of Asante Mampong (together with the Constitution and Statutes of the St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral, Mampong-Ashanti) as our first Diocesan Constitution on 26th November, 2016. The Constitution was confirmed by Synod 2018.