Nakolo: St Joseph Catholic Church launches 50th anniversary, showcases community impact
Activities marking the Golden Jubilee are expected to continue until 2026, culminating in a grand celebration, with a series of religious, social, and developmental programmes lined up.
The St Joseph Catholic Church at Paga-Nakolo in the Kassena-Nankana West District has officially launched activities to mark its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of faith, service, and community transformation.
The Golden Jubilee celebration was launched on Sunday, December 28, under the theme “50 Years of Grace: A Journey of Hope, Faith and Love.”
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Richard Alogitega, recounted the humble and inspiring beginnings of the church and the steady progress it has made over the years.
According to him, the establishment of the church can be traced to a remarkable event involving the birth of a child, Wekuri, later known as Joseph Apewuru.The child’s situation led his family to Burkina Faso in search of help, where they encountered a man who introduced them to a catechist.
The catechist’s intervention saved the children and ignited a deep Christian faith in John Apewuru, which later laid the foundation for the church.
“Church services initially began in the home of John Apewuru at Tazika and later spread to Nakolo,” Alogitega explained.
He noted that following the formation of the church, the then Parish Priest of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Akanlu, assigned Brother Joe and George Kukia to nurture the young congregation.
This support, he said, contributed significantly to the church’s growth into a vibrant community now numbering over a hundred members.
Alogitega paid glowing tribute to the sacrifices of the church’s pioneers, including John Apewuru and family, Lucy Naboo, Wekuri Peter Wenia, Peter Zato, Veronica Abachigatea, Piose and family, Rita Kadwolo, Augustina Tegayerane, and others whose commitment laid a strong foundation for the church.
He further outlined the vision of the jubilee celebrations, announcing that the main anniversary project will be the construction of a Community Centre.
“This centre will serve as a venue for meetings, formation programmes, youth and women activities, social events, and broader community development initiatives. It will stand as a lasting legacy of our 50th anniversary and a symbol of our collective commitment to serving both the Church and the wider community,” he said.
One of the pioneers of the church, George Kukia, in an interview with Mike FM, highlighted the significant impact of the church on the Nakolo community.
“The church taught the people the way of Christ, and a clinic was established to address the health needs of the community. The church has contributed immensely to the development of Nakolo,” he stated.
He added that the church has provided moral guidance for many generations and cautioned against the misconception held by some that the church is only meant for the youth.
As part of the launch, a fundraising exercise was held to mobilize resources for the anniversary projects. Activities marking the Golden Jubilee are expected to continue until 2026, culminating in a grand celebration, with a series of religious, social, and developmental programmes lined up.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
