Profile of Rev. Fr. Augustine Owusu-Sekyere
Rev. Augustine Owusu-Sekyere, a native of Nsuta-Atonsu in the Ashanti region of Ghana, began his elementary education at the age of nine. He continued to the St. Peter’s Secondary School at Nkwatia-Kwahu for his high school education. Augustine enrolled at the Wesley College in Kumasi for a three-year post secondary Teacher Training course and upon graduation became a teacher and a catechist.
After a short period as an elementary school teacher, Augustine proceeded to the St. Peter’s Regional Seminary at Cape Coast, Ghana for his priestly formation for a period of six years during which he took graduate courses in Philosophy, Theology and Social Sciences. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on July 29, 1989.
After his ordination Rev. Augustine, studied at the Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra from 1992 and earned a Diploma in Journalism in 1994. In 1997 Rev. Augustine studied at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy and also at the Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut in United States of America from 2003 to 2005.For the ten and nine years in the priesthood, Rev. Augustine has served in various positions at the home Dioceses of Kumasi and Konongo-Mampong. In Kumasi, where he began his priestly service, he served as assistant priest at the rural parish of Tepa and its thirty-eight outstations (1989-1991); the Kumasi city’s Cathedral Parish priest (1991-1992); Chaplain to the congregations of Marist Brothers and F.S.T. Sisters (1994-1995); the Chaplain to the Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (1994-1995); part-time Teacher at the St. Hubert’s Minor Seminary in Kumasi (1994-1995); the Diocesan Director of Communications (1994-1995); and Editor of the diocesan newspaper, The Light.
In 1995 when the new diocese of Konongo-Mampong was carved out of the Kumasi diocese, Rev. Augustine was made pastor of St. Anthony’s Church, Ejura with its seven outstations (1995-2001). Though he was the only priest at the parish, Rev Augustine succeeded in opening five more outstations within six years whilst at the same time serving as the Diocesan Director of Communications (1995-2001). During the same period Rev. Augustine served on the national executive as the Public Relations Officer of the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priest Association and as editor of the union’s quarterly journal NUGDPA LINK.
At the international level, Rev. Augustine also served as parochial vicar and chaplain to the Ghanaian immigrants in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, USA from 2001 to 2006. As the first vicar and chaplain, his main duty was to provide spiritual guidance, lay the foundation, and establish the Ghanaian Catholic Ministry at St. Mary’s Parish in Hartford, Connecticut.
When Rev. Augustine returned home to Ghana in 2006 he was appointed the Rector of the Wonoo Rectorate in the Kwabere District of the Diocese. He was also a member of the training team responsible for lay ministry and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist in the Diocese. At the national level, Rev. Augustine was a member of the National Media Commission of the Church for seven years (1994-2001). He is currently a member of the Guild of Catholic Journalists and also of the Ghana Journalists Association.
In the course of his studies and pastoral work, Father Augustine, has earned a number professional certifications and degrees including Certificate in Education (Wesley College Kumasi), Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity (St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Cape Coast), Diploma in Journalism (Ghana Institute Of Journalism) Certificate in Pastoral Communication (Gregorian University in Rome), and Master of Arts in Religious Studies (Sacred Heart University, Fairfield CT). In September 2008, Rev. Augustine, alongside with his pastoral work with Ghana Catholic Community in the Arlington Diocese in Virginia, will begin studies for a PHD degree at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Rev. Fr. Augustine Owusu-Sekyere lists among his interests and hobbies discussions on social issues, sports especially soccer, and reading.
This is a synopsis of the rich and diversified experience and knowledge that he brings to the Ghana Community in the Northern Virginia and the Washington Metro Area.
The President, the Executive and the entire Ghana Catholic Community extend a Big and Hearty Welcome to You Father!
