The congregation of the Holy Spirit, (Spiritans) Province of Ghana also known as Holy Ghost Fathers is an international religious missionary institute. It was founded by a French national by name Claude Poullart Des Places in 1703. In 1841, venerable Father Francis Libermann, a convert Jew, formed the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary.
These two Congregations were merged into one in 1848 because the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary has as its Charism same as that of the Holy Ghost congregation. After the merge the official name of the congregation became Congregation of the Holy Spirit, under the protection of the Holy Heart of Mary. Today it has over 2,790 members worldwide who are working in 53 countries.
The history of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) in Ghana dates back as far as 1878 when one of its members, Fr. Charles Gommenginer, who was the Pro-Vicar of Sierra Leone after the death of Bishop Marion de Bresillac, founder of the Society of Africa Mission (SMA) made extensive visit to the Coastal and interior region of the Gold Coast (present Ghana)such as Axim, Elmina, Cape Coast, Accra and Kumasi in order to survey possibilities of establishing permanent Catholic stations in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, his dream could not come to fruition due to the changes made the following years. Gold Coast became a prefecture for a year after the historic visit and the territory entrusted to the Society of African Mission in 1879.
The visit, however, sowed the seed for the Spiritan Presence that started with the arrival of 10 Irish Spiritans invited by Archbishop Emeritus Peter K. Sarpong in 1971. Ten years the Irish Spiritans started recruiting Ghanaians to be trained as Spiritans. Most of the pioneers were trained in Nigerian, the Gambia and Liberia until in 1989 when Novitiate and Philosophy houses were opened were opened at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.
Today, the breakdown of the membership of the Province is as follows; Priests- 104, Brothers – 4, Students in various stages of formation houses – 30. In all there are 149 members. In Ghana, the Spiritans are working in the following places: Archdiocese of Kumasi, Archdiocese of Accra, Diocese of Ho, Vicariate of Donkorkrom, Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Diocese of Obuasi, Diocese of Sekondi – Takoradi, Dioceses of Yendi and Goaso.
Some of our members are also working as missionaries in these areas in the world; Brazil, Taiwan, Bolivia, Zambia, Republic of Benin, USA, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Kenya, Martinique, Seychelles Island, Portugal, Cameroon, Madagasca, Angola. Our works differ but apart from the mainstream parish ministry, school apostolate is seen as very essential to our missionary exercise. In Ghana for example Spiritans have established Spiritan University College at Ejisu, Spiritan Academy (Technical, Vocational and Senior High School) at Adankwame in the Ashanti Region and Libermann Catholic Senior High School at Sowodazem (Elubo) in the Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region.
Furthermore for their cordial relationship, through the then Provincial Superior now Archbishop Bonaventure Kwofie, Emeritus Francis Kofi Anani Lodonu invited the Spiritans to the Diocese and were since then entrusted with the Queen of Peace Parish in Ve – Golokuati since October 2006 to date where they are feeding and caring for the flock entrusted to them physically and spiritually.
These are the men who served and are still serving the parish namely; Rev. Fr. William Opoku-Boateng C.S.Sp. (Parish Priest) and Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ohene C.S.Sp (Associate) then Fr. James Ekudi C.S.Sp (Parish Priest) and Rev. Fr. Coleman Getor C.S.Sp. (Associate) currently serving the Parish are Rev. Fr. Valerius Kosikojo Mensah C.S.Sp (Parish Priest) and Rev, Fr. John Mammah C.S.Sp.