By Bro Francis Monnie
A 440-page book titled: “From pagan boy to Church prelate: Archbishop Kpiebaya in Northern Ghana Church History, was launched on May 3, 2018 in Tamale by Dr. Africanus Diedong, a Senior Lecturer and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, Wa Campus, University of Development Studies (U.D.S.).
A host of dignitaries including Most Rev. Gregory Kpiebaya, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale, Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Yitiereh, Vicar General, who represented Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Sir Knight Brother Ambrose Yennah, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, who was the Guest of Honour, graced the occasion which was chaired by Professor David Millar, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of UDS.
Written by Rev. Fr. Dr. Eugene Suom-Dery, a Lecturer at the St. Victor’s Major Seminary, the book delves into the migration histories of the peoples of Northern Ghana, particularly the Dagaaba/ Dagara, their social and family culture, their struggles with succession disputes, slave-raiding, slave trade and inter-tribal conflicts in the last quarter of the 19th century. The book also captures the history of Christianisation especially, Catholicism in Northern Ghana, which was pioneered by the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in 1906, and later contributions of other Congregations such as the Society of African Missions, Divine Word Missionaries and Protestant missionary bodies.
The book then focuses on Archbishop Kpiebaya, and chronicles is early life from humble beginnings as a pagan boy from his native home at Nanvilli in the Upper West Region, and how he developed into a Prelate in the Catholic Church, with emphasis on how he built up the Church in Wa Diocese and later Tamale Archdiocese. The book further analyses his visionary shepherd-leadership, the pastoral methods he employed and his leadership and administrative skills and human qualities, concluding with his views on the prospects and challenges of the Church in Northern Ghana in the 21st century.
Reviewing the book, Dr. Diedong disclosed that the author’s desire to write the book was motivated by his quest to record the life of another outstanding leader in the person of Archbishop Kpiebaya, whom he has known for over 40 years, and tell the history from the perspective of the beginnings, growth, and development of the Church in Northern Ghana and the specific role he played in the ecclesiastical history.
He explained that in this historic work, the author has painstakingly researched and highlighted what he calls “little known facts about Archbishop Kpiebaya” and points out that biographical and historical documentation and especially the need to honour our outstanding personalities through various forms of historical recordings, serves as memoirs for inspiration and direction for our people who will come after us.
Dr. Diedong noted that today, whether in family, Church, community or politics; society is in great need of transformational leaders, adding that the entire priestly life of Archbishop Kpiebaya is modelled on the Good Shepherd who came to serve and not to be served, adding that the book is an eloquent testament of how Archbishop Kpiebaya has touched and continue to influence the lives of countless people to experience the joy and peace of committed Christian living.
He explained that the 10-chapter book, outlined in two parts, dealt with important themes such as the leadership skills of Archbishop Kpiebaya, peace efforts in Dagbon and Northern Region, Inter-religious dialogue, Smaller parishes and Small Christian Communities – all written in an accessible and clear language for readers which are enlivened with selected pictures of personalities, symbols and locations, spanning different epochs which must not be missed in delineating and depicting the life-story of Archbishop Kpiebaya in Northern Ghana.
He lauded the efforts of the author in writing the landmark book, describing it as a “monumental achievement” on his part, saying “it has filled a void in Christian literature on books of this nature which provide a depth of analysis of a unique Prelate in Northern Ghana history and his positive influence on society with a characterization which is not only comprehensive and culturally diverse, but more importantly, real, down-to-earth, inspirational and of life-giving value”.
Dr. Diedong, therefore, encouraged all and sundry, to get copies of the book, adding “it will enrich and empower your lives in unimaginable ways”.
Sharing his reflections on the book, the Supreme Knight called it a “master piece of literature and history”, expressing gratitude to the author for documenting and producing what he called “a revealing history of the Church in Northern Ghana”.
He paid glowing tribute to Archbishop Kpiebaya for his many achievements as a Prelate of the Catholic Church, and also his contributions to evangelization in Northern Ghana, describing him as “a colossus unheard of by many, unassuming, a humble academic, a prolific writer hidden in the cloak of an Archbishop, whose life and activities indeed are worthy of emulation”.
He expressed hope that his virtues as set out in the book, will be espoused by present and future generations of Ghanaian leaders and inspire as well as stimulate them to be shining examples for the good of society.
Addressing guests, Archbishop Kpiebaya recalled with fond memories, how the author disclosed his intentions to write a book about him when he visited him in 2011, two years after his retirement to commemorate his 50th anniversary of Priesthood in 2012 and his 80th birthday in 2013, just as he had done for Peter Cardinal Porekuu Dery before.
He indicated that he was initially hesitant about the idea and told him “I fall very short of Cardinal Dery to be treated the same way” but he explained, “both of you have a similar life; you are both from deep “pagan” backgrounds; you were both “illiterates” when you embraced the Catholic faith and you both became Prelates of the Church and walked similar paths, as first Bishops of Wa and second Archbishops of Tamale respectively.
He said having persuaded him with such forceful arguments, he gave him his blessings but told him “you will have very little to write about me” to which he assured, “I am going to put it in the wider context, that is, in the history of the development of the Catholic Church in Northern Ghana” which he noted, the author had dutifully done.
Archbishop Kpiebaya observed that the book is about all who follow Christ, even including non-Christians from the North insisting that “we are all helping to write this history”. He explained that he could not have turned away from “paganism” to Christianity if there had been no Catechists to instruct him in the faith; either could he have turned from an “illiterate” to a literate if there were no dedicated teachers to teach him.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman noted that in his book titled “Great things happen”, the author, Rev. Fr. Remy McCoy, M. Afr., sought to tell the history of evangelisation in Northern Ghana. He explained that though a useful material, the book had what he called “foreign nuances” in it. He, therefore, described as refreshing, the first indigenous attempt to record the history of evangelization of the people of Northern Ghana from the local perspective. He praised the author for his in-depth research and analysis, and entreated Christians, especially indigenes of the north, to patronize the book.
An amount of GHc 24,300.00 in cash and pledges, was realized at the book launch. The first auctioned copy of the book which was autographed by the author, was bought for GHc3, 000.00 by the Supreme Knight. Proceeds from the auction and subsequent sale of the books, are to used to fund further research work.
Earlier, the Vicar General had on behalf of the Metropolitan Archbishop, welcomed guests and all and sundry to the function. They included Priests, Pastors from some Sister Churches, Religious men and women and delegations from various Church Societies including the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of St. John’s International and Knights and Ladies of Marshall who bought five copies of the book for the St. Augustine’s Millennium Seminary.