The Anglican Diocese of Sunyani in Ghana has elected the Very Rev. Martin Apraku Amankwah as coadjutor bishop, positioning him to assist the diocesan bishop and, in the ordinary course, succeed him.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Yeboah Asuamah, Bishop of Sunyani, announced the election at a press conference in Sunyani, capital of Ghana’s Bono Region on 12 August 2026. A special diocesan synod elected Fr. Amankwah on 11 April 2026, and the Provincial Episcopal Synod has subsequently confirmed the election under the constitution of the Church of the Province of West Africa.

Bishop Asuamah presented the mandate for the bishop-elect’s consecration, signed by the Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Asante-Mampong. The mandate records that Amankwah was made deacon on 15 September 2007 and ordained priest on 28 June 2008.

In language drawn from the canonical testimonials accompanying the election, Bishop Asuamah said testimony had been given to Amankwah’s “piety, sobriety and honesty of life,” his sound doctrine, fidelity to the discipline of the Church, and moral character. The mandate directs that “due order be taken” for his consecration as a bishop in the Church of God.

The Sunyani diocese has already undergone substantial change in recent years. The Diocese of Nkoranza was carved from Sunyani and inaugurated in November, part of a wider provincial effort to bring episcopal oversight closer to congregations in areas where distance, poor roads and rugged terrain complicate ministry.

At the launch of Nkoranza, Archbishop Ben-Smith described the creation of new dioceses as an expression of the Great Commission: placing bishops nearer to the people so that the Church might minister “more closely and more effectively.” Bishop Asuamah, who has served as Bishop of Sunyani for 14 years, said the former territory presented both significant evangelistic opportunity and formidable logistical challenges, with some communities accessible only by bicycle or motorbike.

Fr. Amankwah thanked the clergy, laity, parishes and wider Anglican community for their confidence. He pledged to work for the “holistic growth” of the diocese and for the wider advancement of Christianity.

Bishop Asuamah said he hoped the bishop-elect would strengthen cooperation among clergy, lay people, parishes, diocesan institutions and the Church’s other partners.