GCBC appoints Fr. Michael Quaicoe director for Governance, Justice and Peace 

Rev. Fr. Michael K. A. Quaicoe has been appointed as the Director for Governance, Justice, and Peace for the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The Governance, Justice, and Peace Commission (GJPC) of the Catholic Church is a body within the Church dedicated to promoting principles of good governance, social justice, and peacebuilding in both ecclesiastical and societal contexts. This commission operates at various levels within the Church hierarchy, including at the national, regional, and diocesan levels.

Originally from the Cape Coast Archdiocese, Fr. Quaicoe was ordained on November 22, 2003. His academic pursuits encompass Canon Law, International Politics (Diplomacy and Foreign Policy), Sociology/Study of Religions, and Education. He underwent Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Paul’s Seminary, Sowutuom, and St. Peters’ Regional Seminary, Pedu, respectively, as part of his priesthood formation.

Throughout his career, Fr. Quaicoe has held various roles, including Assistant Priest at St. Anthony Parish, Agona Swedru, with a focus on secondary schools, and as Assistant Priest of Sacro Cuore Parish, Civitavecchia, and Santa Sinforosa, Bagni di Tivoli. He also served as Chaplain at Westminster Cathedral, London, and “Defender of the Bond” at Westminster Metropolitan Tribunal, London.

Following his studies at City University of London, he served as Intern–Adviser to the Holy See’s Mission at the United Nations – New York. Additionally, he accompanied H. E. Peter Cardinal Turkson as Expert/Personal Assistant to the World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland. In Ghana, he lectured part-time and served as Spiritual Director at St. Paul’s Seminary, Sowutuom, and St. Gregory Provincial Seminary, Parkoso, Kumasi.

Governance

The Governance aspect of the commission focuses on ensuring that the structures and processes within the Church adhere to principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. This includes overseeing the administration of church resources, promoting effective leadership, and upholding the values of subsidiarity and collegiality.

Justice

The Justice dimension of the commission is concerned with advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable. This involves addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, and human rights abuses through advocacy, education, and direct service provision. The commission works to ensure that Catholic social teaching principles, such as the preferential option for the poor and the common good, are integrated into both church practices and broader social policies.

Peace

The Peace component of the commission focuses on promoting reconciliation, conflict resolution, and the prevention of violence at all levels of society. This includes supporting initiatives for interreligious dialogue, fostering a culture of nonviolence, and addressing root causes of conflict such as social injustice, economic inequality, and ethnic or religious tensions. The commission also advocates for disarmament, arms control, and peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.