NEW ARCHBISHOP FOR CAPE COAST (MIRROR, PAGE 35, JUNE 5, 2010)

From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Most Reverend Matthias Kobena Nketsiah, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast.
His Grace, Most Reverend Archbishop Nketsiah, 68, who was until then the Apostolic Administrator, replaces Peter Cardinal Kodwo Appiah Turkson, who has been appointed President of the Pontifical Council on Peace and Justice.
The Apostolic Nunciature in Ghana, Archbishop Leon B. Kalenga, announced the appointment at a short but impressive ceremony at the St. Francis De Sales Cathedral in Cape Coast last Monday.
Archbishop Nketsiah was born on April 14, 1942 at Kakomdo in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast in the Central Region.
He did his Ordinary and Advanced level studies at the St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Amisano and continued his philosophy and theology studies at the St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Pedu, Cape Coast.
He was ordained a priest on July 19, 1970 by Bishop Emeritus His Grace Akwasi Sarpong at the St. Francis De Sales Cathedral, Cape Coast.
Between 1970 and 1973, he served as assistant priest at the Agona Swedru Parish before being posted as a teacher to the Minor Seminary, Amisano from 1973 to 1975.
After studying canon law at the Pontificia Universita Urbaniana, Rome from 1975 to 1979 he taught canon law at the Major Seminary, Pedu, Cape Coast and later as chancellor and Episcopal Vicar from 1980 to 1981.
Between 1981 and 1986 he served as the parish priest at Ajumako Bisease and then a judge, Inter–Diocesan Tribunal, from 1986 to 1993.
After these and other positions, he was nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Cape Coast on November 24, 2006 and later as the Apostolic Administrator on October 27, 2009.
He is the Chairman of the Department of the Judicial Matter of the Episcopal Conference.
In his accepting speech, Archbishop Nketsiah expressed gratitude to Pope Benedict for the trust reposed in him.