How a native of Upper West became Ghana’s first Catholic priest to complete a degree in Ga Education

Youth Chaplain of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Rev. Fr. Alphonse Bulloro on March 29 graduated with first-class honors in Ga Education from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

What makes his achievement intriguing is the fact that Fr. Bulloro is a native of Lyssah in the Upper West Region.

Another interesting twist is how he was selected among 12 other students in his 3rd year to study Didactics of conflict resolution, English Language Skills, and Music for young ones at the University College of Copenhagen.

Father has been sharing his story with Catholic Trends. Take a read

In 2018, I took the challenge to go to the university of Education, Ajumako Campus to do Ga Education. Before this, I had always thought of doing the Ga Language and Culture to help promote the use of the Ga language in the Archdiocese of Accra.

I have always believed that for effective missionary work the language of the land of mission should be given priority.

I was admitted in the Ga-Dangme Department to study this programme for four years. Initially I thought the course was just about the communicative aspect of the language. However, the was more to it in the grammatical area.

I had to do general linguistics courses like phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax before delving onto the Ga language proper. There were aspects of the Ga Culture I also did.

Since the University of Education is to train teachers, I also did educational courses like curriculum, principles and practice of teaching, education technology, education psychology, counselling in Education to mention but few.

I feel proud studying the Ga Education course because now I can confidently approach Ga phonetically, phonologically morphologically, semantically, and syntactically.

In 2019, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, I had to learn from home. The pandemic delayed the programme a bit.

In my third year in 2021, the Ghanaian Language Faculty selected me and two others Sarah Arhinful(Ewe Department) and Emmanuel Okutu(Dangme Unit) for interview which was to prepare us for an exchange programme in the University College of Copenhagen, Denmark. Out of over 50 students, I happened to be the first be selected among 12 other students. Two of us were from the Ga-Dangme department.

In the University College of Copenhagen we had the opportunity to read DIDACTICS of conflict resolution, English Language Skills, and Music for young ones. In Copenhagen, I felt happy to have read the works of Jacobson Christein Proten who was half Danish and half Ga, and the one believed to have designed the first Ga language sounds for missionary work.

I wish to go deeper into these areas in future. Also, I wish to use the Ga language in the study of scripture. Mother tongue exegesis is an area I believe the Catholic Church of Ghana must explore and encourage.

To the greater glory of God.

I acknowledge everyone who has encouraged me along this long journey.

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Archbishop Palmer Buckle with his love for languages started this programme with me to promote the Ga language and I thank him a lot for his fatherly support. Archbishop Kwofie saw the importance of promoting the Ga language in Accra and also encouraged me.

I acknowledge the inspiration of Mgsr. Jonathan Ankrah. I cannot leave out our two auxiliary bishops elect Msgrs. John Kobina Loius and Anthony Narh Asare who by divine plan contributed largely to the success of my project work.

I also thank my AAPA brothers for their encouragement especially brother priests from Teshie, Msgr. Francis Adoboli, Frs. Francis Asagba, John Amoah, Donkor Baine, Raymond Osei-Tutu, Christopher Sackey, Michael K. Mensah, Joseph Arthur, Ebenezer Akesseh, Clement Wilson, Neuman Tettehfio, Peter Hesse, Abaiku Apprey, Anthony Adu Mensah, Ebenezer Hanson, Osmund Kudoloh, Patrick Quarcopoome, Januarius Akpabli and the Unique brothers.

I acknowledge the guidance of Prof. Philip Laryea, Dr. Cecilia Kotey, Dr. Yvonne Ollenu, Miss Ruby Otoo and Mr. Adams Lantei. To the St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, I am highly indebted. Finally, I acknowledge all my family members who never gave up on me and supported me. To all and sundry whose name I have not mentioned I acknowledge you too.

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Fr. Alphonse Bulloro originally is from Lyssah in the Upper West region yet was born on 1st August, 1984 at Teshie North Clinic by Mr. Hypolite Bulloro(deceased) and Mrs. Camilla Bulloro . He is the last of born of his parents. He had his basic education at Teshie Camp’2′ Primary and Junior Secondary School. He proceeded to then Pope John Secondary School and Minor Seminary.

He continued to St. Teresa’s Minor Seminary for his Post Senior High School education. He gained admission to St. Paul’s Major Seminary to do Spirituality and Philosophy. (2005-2007). He was in St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu for his theological studies. (2007-2014).

Rev. Fr. Alphonse Bulloro holds B.A. degree in Religion and Sociology from the university of Ghana, Legon(2012) and B.A. degree from Urbaniana University in Rome. (2014). Rev. Fr. Alphonse Bulloro is currently the Youth Chaplain of the Catholic Archiocese of Accra and the priest in charge of the St. Raphael, the Archangel, Lashibi.