The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, have celebrated 50 years of missionary presence in Ghana, marking the milestone with a Golden Jubilee celebration at the Immaculate Heart Novitiate in Besease.
The celebration, held on Saturday, 1 August 2026, brought together members of the Institute from Ghana and other countries, bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, families, friends, benefactors and well-wishers.
The Jubilee Eucharist was presided over by Most Rev. John Opoku Agyemang, Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, while the Emeritus Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, delivered the homily.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Yaw Anokye, was represented by Very Rev. Fr Stephen Jantuah, while Most Rev. Peter Atuahene, Bishop of Goaso, also attended the celebration.
The Institute’s presence in Ghana dates back to 13 September 1976, when four pioneer Sisters – Sr Mary Bonaventure Aniagolu, Sr Mary Colette Obika, Sr Mary De Pazzi Ikwuegbu and Sr Mary Victoria Okoye – arrived in the country.
Their mission followed an invitation from then Bishop of Kumasi, Peter Kwasi Sarpong, who had invited the Sisters to Ghana in 1971.
Over the past five decades, the Sisters have served in schools, hospitals, clinics, parishes, mission stations and formation houses. Their apostolate has grown to five dioceses in Ghana and beyond the country into Benin.
The Besease Novitiate, opened in 1982, became an important centre of formation, with the first Ghanaian novices making their religious profession there in 1987.
The Jubilee also provided an opportunity to honour those who helped establish the Institute’s mission in Ghana. Among them was Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, whose role in bringing the Sisters to Ghana was specially recognised.
On 3 June 2026, the 1983 Pioneer Year Group of Martyrs of Uganda Preparatory School honoured Sr Mary Bonaventure Aniagolu, the school’s first headmistress, and Archbishop Sarpong with bronze busts and plaques.
A major highlight of the Jubilee was the First Religious Profession of three young Sisters – Mary Theresa Agyapong, Veronica Onuzu and Perpetua Akaayar.
The three professed the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, marking a new chapter in their journey of consecrated life.
In his homily, Bishop Osei-Bonsu reminded the newly professed Sisters that religious profession goes beyond making public promises, stressing that their deepest identity is found in belonging to Christ.
He also challenged the Sisters to remain faithful to their charism, emphasising that the future of religious life depends not primarily on numbers or material resources, but on fidelity, prayer, holiness, joyful community life and generous service.
The celebration also featured the planting of a Jubilee tree, symbolising the roots established by the pioneer Sisters and the responsibility of succeeding generations to nurture their legacy.
Another significant milestone was the opening of Cor Mariae Preparatory School, reflecting the Institute’s continuing commitment to education and the formation of children and young people.
Awards and citations were also presented to individuals whose contributions have supported the Sisters’ mission in Ghana.
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