At 9:00 a.m. on August 8, 2026, one day after the conclusion of the second and final part of their Ordinary Custodial Chapter, the friars of the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana gathered in a spirit of love, joy, and fraternity to celebrate the solemn profession of vows of Friars Justice Kwame YALLEY, Matthew MENSAH, Dennis Dei AGYEKUM, Isaac ASAMOAH, and Dominic Kwame ACKOM, as well as the silver jubilee of the priestly ordination of Friar Anthony Yaw AKUMAH.
The Minister Provincial of the Mother Province, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI, presided over the Mass and received the vows of the five friars. The event took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Elmina, Ghana.
Also in attendance were the Assistant General for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF), Friar Blasio Ooko OLENGE; the Provincial Custos, Friar Vitus Edem Yao MENSAH; the Provincial Econom, Friar Andrea BOTTARO; friars of the Provincial Custody; priests; consecrated men and women; the families and friends of the newly solemnly professed; parishioners; and people of good will.
In his homily, the Minister Provincial reminded the friars making their solemn profession that the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience they were about to profess are instruments through which they can offer themselves to God each day in a pleasing way. He also assured them that, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, God will enable them to discern His will and help them do good—good that will make them joyful and, in turn, enable them to bring joy to others.
He further reminded the five friars and all those present that, as sons of St. Francis of Assisi, their life is a matter of giving back to God everything they have received from Him, knowing that they are not called to withhold anything for themselves or to appropriate what the Lord has given them, but to use all they have in the service of God and humanity.
In the same spirit, and in gratitude to God for the life and priestly ministry entrusted to Friar Anthony Yaw AKUMAH, the Minister Provincial commended him for his faithfulness, his generosity in serving God and the Franciscan fraternity in Ghana, and his constant willingness to place himself at the service of others in new situations and challenges, always in obedience to God and the fraternity.
As we thank God for the lives of these brothers, we continue to pray for them and for all friars, that they may remain faithful to their call.
Friar Sylvester Eugene KOOMSON,
Custodial Secretary
