James Kwadwo Owusu

James Kwadwo Owusu (19 December 1927 – 28 December 2001) was a Ghanaian Catholic prelate who was the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani in Ghana from 1 March 1973 until his death on 28 December 2001. Before that, from 8 December 1956 until he was appointed bishop, he was a priest of the same Catholic diocese. He was appointed bishop on 1 March 1973 by Pope Paul VI. He was consecrated and installed at Sunyani, Ghana on 30 June 1973. He died in an automobile accident on 28 December 2001, while still in office.

Background

James Kwadwo Owusu was born on 19 December 1927 in Kwasibuokrom, Diocese of Sunyani, Bono Region (part of the erstwhile Brong-Ahafo Region), Ghana. He studied philosophy and theology at seminary. He was ordained a priest on 8 December 1956.^[1][2]

Priest

On 8 December 1956 he was ordained a Catholic priest. While priest, he served as Chaplain in the Ghanaian Military, at the rank of Major. He served as a priest until 1 March 1973.^[1][2]

Bishop

On 1 March 1973, The Holy Father Pope Paul VI created the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani by splitting the Diocese of Kumasi. On the same day The Holy Father appointed Reverend Father James Kwadwo Owusu of the clergy of Kumasi, as the first bishop of the new diocese.^[1][2]

He was consecrated bishop and installed at Sunyani on 30 June 1973 by the hands of Archbishop John Kodwo Amissah, Archbishop of Cape Coast assisted by Bishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Bishop of Kumasi and Bishop Peter Poreku Dery, Bishop of Wa.^[1]

Death

In December 2001, Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu travelled by road to Accra to consult with his medical doctors. On the return journey to Sunyani, the car that was carrying him was involved in a head-on-collision with another vehicle. The prelate died on the spot from the injuries that he sustained in that accident. He was 74 years old.^[1][2][3]

Succession table