Fr. John Asare and Fr. Patrick Baffour-Akoto are being welcomed to Saint Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Background information is provided on each priest, including their country of origin (Ghana), ordination dates, education, family backgrounds, and personal favorite activities and items. Context is also provided on the Catholic Church in Ghana, including statistics on the Archdiocese of Kumasi, an overview of Ghanaian culture, cuisine and wildlife.

1. Welcome Fr. John Asare
& Fr. Patrick Baffour-Akoto!
SAINT BEDE CATHOLIC CHURCH
W I L L I A M S B U R G , V I R G I N I A

2. Introduction to Fr. John Asare
 Born August 18, 1966
 Ordained July 19, 1997
 Studied in Rome
 1 of 7 children, one of
which lives in
Alexandria
 His other siblings and
his mother live in
Ghana.
 His father is deceased.

3.  Favorite
Movies: Soap
Operas
 Favorite Novel:
Adventurous
Books
 Favorite
Scripture:
Gospel of Mark
Fr. John Asare’s Favorites
 Favorite
Sports: Soccer
 Favorite Food:
Rice Stew
 Favorite
Hobby:
Reading books
and watching
movies

4. Introduction to Fr. Patrick Baffour-Akoto
 Born November 21,
1966
 Ordained July 12, 2008
 Has been a pastor of a
village parish in
Ghana.
 His parents are
Gabriel and Martha.
 He has 5 brothers and
2 sisters.

5.  Favorite Movies:
Foreign films
 Favorite Novel:
Mun-freschion
 Favorite Scripture:
The Gospels
 Favorite Sports:
Football (soccer)
Fr. Patrick Baffour-Akoto’s Favorites
 Favorite Food:
Fufu
 Favorite Hobby:
Reading

6.  Erected as a Diocese in 1932
 167 priests
 Core Values:
 Love
 Openness
 Transparency
 Accountability
 Leadership
 Justice and Peace
 Innovation
Archdiocese of Kumasi
Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye,
Archbishop

7. Celebrating 130 Years of Catholicism in 2012

8. Ghana
• Established in
1957
• 27 million people
• Official motto –
“Freedom and
Justice”

9. Two Largest Cities:
Kumasi and Accra

10. Lake Volta

11. Export Treemap from 2012

12. Staple Foods from Ghana
 Maize
 Rice
 Beans
 Cassava
 Yam
 Peanuts
 Palm nuts
 Fish
 Bread

13. Soups and stews are
popular.

14. Banku
with
Grilled
Tilapia
“Banku” is a
cooked and
fermented
corn dough.

15. Fufu and
peanut
soup
“Fufu” is the
national dish
of Ghana. It
is mashed
yam or
plantain
formed into
dough.

16. Spicy
kebabs
“Kebabs” are
barbecued
beef, goat,
pork, poultry
or sausages

17. Etor
“Etor” is a
combination of
plantain and
yam mashed
with palm oil.
Garnishes can
include peanuts
and eggs.

18. A middle-class house
Kente cloth is used
in traditional
clothing and
national costume.
It contains many
different symbols
and colors.

19. The Black Stars are the national soccer team.

20. Visitors can enjoy the beaches year round.

21. The tawny
eagle is on
the national
coat of arms.
Ghana’s Wildlife

22. The Kakum National Park features
a canopy walkway 1,150 feet long!

23. Mole National Park is also a popular
tourist destination.

24. Ghana is also home to some amazing waterfalls.

25. References
 http://www.kumasicatholic.org/
 http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-
center/features
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kumasi-
Archdiocese/132431813541232
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdio
cese_of_Kumasi

26. Welcome to Our Parish!