The St. Michael Co-Cathedral in Keta has marked its 135th anniversary with a call for parishioners to take up the Church’s Great Commission and help reawaken the lost past glory of the Catholic Church in Keta.
The call was made by Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, in his keynote address at the climax of the week-long anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Reflecting on the history of the Catholic Church in Ghana and the development of the Church in Keta, Bishop Fianu charged parishioners to ask themselves what they could do to reawaken the Church’s lost past glory in the area.
The anniversary celebration brought together Catholics and well-wishers from across the country and the diaspora.
Bishop Fianu gave a detailed history of the Catholic Church in Ghana, saying that from that history, what gave importance and influence to Keta needed to be derived.
He gave an elaborate explanation on several thematic areas, namely: the beginning of the mission in Keta, the ecclesiastical positioning of Keta, the erection of the Lower Volta Vicariate, Keta and Catholic education, mission expansion under the Vicariate of Keta, sisters’ contributions in the Vicariate, the sacrifice of the missionaries and the decline of Keta.
Looking into the future, Bishop Fianu suggested four things parishioners could undertake to help fulfil the Great Commission: sharing the love of Christ in their immediate circles with family, friends and co-workers; making their lives an example to others; spending their time teaching others; and supporting the mission of the Church by either volunteering themselves to found new communities or financially supporting the Church to do so.
In a speech during the celebration, the host bishop, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, said the 135th anniversary was not only about the parish or its physical structure but about the people who formed the Church.
“135 years celebration is not about the structure, but it is about you, the people of Keta”, he pointed out.
He said the celebration was about the people who walked through history thick and thin, bringing the Church to where it is today.
“So we are celebrate ancestors,” he affirmed.
Dwelling on the theme, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), Bishop Kumordji said this Great Commission was what the early missionaries heard and came to Keta.
He encouraged the faithful to follow the footsteps of their ancestors who received the Gospel and spread it all over Ghana and the world.
Bishop Kumordji also mentioned that the early missionaries did not only spread the Gospel but also contributed to the development of the people of Keta.
In a welcome address, the Co-Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Michael Elorm Gbordzor, said the celebration was to seek God’s favour to bring restoration to the Church and Keta.
He acknowledged the people who contributed to the development of the Catholic missions in Keta, notably the SMA priests who started the boys’ school and the OLA Sisters who started OLA Convent Girls Basic School.
Fr. Gbordzor also paid tribute to Togbi Nyaho Tamakloe I, who donated land for the establishment of the Roman Catholic missions.
He appealed to the Government of Ghana to support the schools and the Keta community that raised human resources for Ghana to restore their past glory.
The historical milestone was chaired by the traditional ruler, Torgbi Sri III, the Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor.
In his acceptance speech, the Awoamefia recognised the role of the Catholic Church in the development of the people of Anlo and beyond.
“As traditional leaders, we recognise the role the church play in promoting peace, discipline, compassion, education and the moral development of our people”, he said.
According to Togbi Sri, the Church and the traditional institution may have different roles but shared a common responsibility.
He stated that the history of the Church pointed to parents who handed down the faith to their children and countless men and women whose acts of service and piety helped build the community they are proud of today.
Torgbi Sri III commended the Catholic Church for its enduring contributions to human development, education and social cohesion within the Anlo traditional area.
Government acknowledges Church’s contribution
In a speech delivered by Hon. Rev. Martin Amenaki, MCE Ketu North, on behalf of the President of Ghana, he stated that to make someone a disciple, one must touch the whole person—body, soul and mind.
He said this was why the developmental role of the Catholic Church “stand tall and could not be questioned.”
He continued to say that the Church had been a moral compass of Keta.
“Through the preaching of the word, the Church has formed men and women of integrity, discipline and service.”
According to him, many leaders of the town and nation today “throw their foundation to the pews of St Michael Co-Cathedral.”
Hon. Amenaki continued to say that, “the Church understood long ago that evangelism without education is incomplete. That is why beside every Catholic Church, you found a school.”
He said Catholic schools produced lawyers, priests, doctors, teachers and other reasonable citizens.
He pointed out that the Church educated the girl child where others hesitated, adding that the Church taught them not just to pass exams but to serve humanity, and the nation would never forget its contribution to her development.
He challenged that evangelisation should be done on social media, workplaces and classrooms. The method may change but the message remains the same.
Hon. Amenaki lamented that children were now lost to materialism and other social vices. He mentioned that people must “deceased from participating in corruption and divisiveness” to protect the nation.
He urged that the celebration of 135 years should not be just about “cake and cloth, but a recommitment and dedication to bring back the lost glory of the once upon a time, the capital of the Volta Region.”
Hon. Amenaki conveyed the President’s greetings, those of the Regional Minister and the KCE of Keta to the gathering. He promised to relate all the requests made to the President.
Thanksgiving and spiritual preparation
The climax was preceded by a series of spiritual, social and health activities designed to engage the local Church and the broader community.
Ahead of the celebration, parishioners benefited from a health screening exercise alongside a general clean-up of the Cathedral premises and its surroundings.
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the host Bishop, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, presided over a Solemn Holy Mass to celebrate the patronal feast day.
He urged the parishioners to be united and forgive one another.
“When someone offends you, forgive the person.”
Spiritual preparation deepened on Friday, October 2, with a Pontifical High Mass of Thanksgiving and Petition presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Julien Kaboré.
In his homily, the Nuncio recounted the blessings God has bestowed on the Church in Keta over the years.
“ Today, we gather around the Altar of the Lord to mark with joy and gratitude the 135 years anniversary of St. Michael Community in Keta. The 135 years during which the Gospel has been proclaimed, the Sacraments celebrated, generations formed in the faith and countless praise raised to God. How providential therefore that the Gospel proclaimed today should placed before us the simple but profound question of Jesus. ‘Jesus asked the lepers, we’re not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?’ ”
He continued to say that ten were cleansed but only one came back to say thank you. “And today after 135 years, we too have come back to tell Jesus, Jesus, thank you.”
Discussion about this post