“Bishop Atuahene to JOSCO Students: Be Missionary Educators — Not Mere Professionals!”
Confirms Students and Celebrates 39th Priestly Anniversary at St. Joseph College of Education
Bechem, Ahafo Region – The serene grounds of St. Joseph College of Education (JOSCO), Bechem, were filled with joy and spiritual renewal on Sunday, 13th July 2025, as Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Goaso, paid a pastoral visit to the College. His presence marked two significant moments: the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to Catholic students and the celebration of his 39th Priestly Anniversary, commemorating his ordination on 12th July 1986.
The Bishop was warmly welcomed by the Principal, Dr. Godfred Isaac Antwi, together with the chaplaincy team, staff, and students. In his address, Dr. Antwi expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Bishop for his continuous pastoral presence and for choosing to share his anniversary with the JOSCO community.
The day began with a solemn Eucharistic Mass, presided over by Bishop Atuahene, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Martin Yaw Adjei, Acting Vice Principal and College Chaplain, and Rev. Fr. Daniel Owusu, Assistant Chaplain. A central feature of the celebration was the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to a group of students who had undergone thorough catechetical preparation.
In his homily, Bishop Atuahene strongly emphasized that the Sacrament of Confirmation is a call to mission. He exhorted the newly confirmed to embrace their faith not as a private devotion but as a public responsibility. Speaking with clarity and conviction, he declared:
“Be missionary educators — not mere professionals.”
He reminded the students that Confirmation equips them with the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Christ in every environment, especially in the classroom. As future teachers, they are sent forth to educate minds and shape hearts with values rooted in the Gospel. Catholic education, he stressed, is not just a career path but a continuation of the Church’s mission — a sacred trust passed down from the early missionaries who brought the faith to Ghana.
The Bishop recalled how those early missionaries embraced hardship, crossed cultures, and laboured with love to plant the seeds of the faith. Their courage and self-giving, he said, must inspire today’s Catholic educators to become agents of transformation — forming students not only academically but also spiritually and morally.
The visit also marked the Bishop’s 39th anniversary of priestly ordination, having been ordained on 12th July 1986. In recognition of his faithful service, the College community presented him with gifts and warm expressions of appreciation. Bishop Atuahene expressed deep gratitude for the gesture, thanking the College for their prayers, love, and continued support.
He also praised the College’s recent academic achievements, especially its performance in the national teacher licensure examinations, where 114 students graduated with First Class Honours. He commended the leadership and teaching staff for fostering excellence built on Christian values and discipline.
Established in 1948, St. Joseph College of Education is the oldest teacher training college in the Ahafo Region and a leading Catholic institution nationally. Its legacy continues to shine through the formation of teachers who carry into society not only knowledge and skills but a spirit of service, mission, and faith.
Bishop Atuahene’s visit was more than a sacramental moment; it was a spiritual commissioning. For the newly confirmed, it marked their anointing as witnesses. For the JOSCO community, it was a challenge to rediscover the heart of Catholic education — to teach with purpose, to serve with love, and to lead with the missionary spirit of the Gospel.