Diocese of Obuasi

John Yaw Afoakwa was born on January 26, 1955, in Akrokerry, Ashanti Region (Diocese of Obuasi). In 1975, he obtained his "Ordinary Level" qualification at St. John’s School in Sekondi and moved to Wesley College in Kumasi, where he earned his "A Certificate" in 1978. He studied in Rome at the *Mater Ecclesiae* College (Pontifical Urban University), obtaining a B.A. in Religious Education in 1983. He served as Religious Education Organizer for the Catholic Education Unit in Kumasi until 1986, the year he entered St. Peter’s Regional Seminary in Cape Coast. In 1992, he earned a B.A. in Religion with Sociology from the University of Ghana in Accra. He was ordained a priest on July 11, 1992, and incardinated into the Diocese of Kumasi, later transferring to Obuasi following the creation of that diocese in 1995. Following his ordination, he held the following positions and pursued further studies: 1992–1995: teacher and chaplain at St. Louis Training College in Kumasi; 1995–2007: teacher and chaplain at Christ the King Catholic Secondary School in Obuasi; Director of the Diocesan Catechetics Office and the Diocesan Department of Social Communications; pastoral service at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Anyinam (1996–2002) and Rector of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Akaporiso; 2007–2011: Parochial Vicar at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Rochester (USA), while simultaneously earning a Master of Science in Education from Le Moyne College in Syracuse; since 2012: teacher at Bodwesango Senior High School in Bodwesango, Ashanti Region (Ghana), and Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Joseph Senior High School in Ahwiren; Rector of St. Louis Rectorate and Chaplain (and Board member) of St. Louis Clinic in Bodwesango. Throughout his ministry, he has served on various diocesan and national committees, notably the National Catechetical Commission (1992–2007 and 2012–present), the Diocesan Presbyteral Council (1999–2001 and 2003–2006), and as a Diocesan Consultor (1998–2001).