Growing in grace:the story of 90-year old Archbishop Kwasi Darling

Emeritus Archbishop Peter Sarpong was born on 6 February 1933 in Offinso in the Ashanti Region. He was ordained Catholic priest on 11 December 1959
Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong
“Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong, at ninety years, is a living marvel.
“He literally should have died at his early stages in life, just like his preceding siblings and the one that followed immediately after him, all passed away, before each could reach the age of five.”
Those are the words of his brother Nana Raymond Osei Sarpong, describing him in an article ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (26 February).
Who is Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong?
The Ghanaian bishop was decorated by the government of Dahomey (now People’s Republic of Benin) in 1972; recipient of the Freedom award City of Tuskegee, Alabama, 1973, prize for Distinguished Writers, Ghana Book Development Council, Asanteman award Asantehene, 1991.
Interests: Chess, draughts, football, writing, dancing.
Background
He was born on 26 February 1933 in Maase-Offinso, Ashanti, Ghana. Son of Peter Donkor and Anna Yaa Nkansah.
Education
Student, St. Theresa’s Major Seminary, 1956. Student, St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Cape Coast, Ghana, 1959. Licentiate in Sacred Theology, University St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, 1962.
STD, University St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, 1963. Diploma in Anthropology, M of Letters in Social Anthropology, University Oxford, England, 1965. Doctor of Science (honorary), University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 1979.
Career
Chancellor Catholic Diocese of Kumasi, 1960-1961. Chaplain Okomfo Anokye Hospital, Kumasi. Rector St. Peter’s Major Seminary, 1967-1970.
Bishop of Kumasi, since 1970. Chancellor Catholic Institute West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, since 1985. Ghana representative Synod of Bishops, Rome, 1971.
Representative Bishops for Promotion of Christian Unity, Rome, 1972. Consultor Papal Commission for Justice and Peace, Rome, 1972-1976, also West African regional correspondent. West African regional liaison Secretariat for Christian Unity, Rome, Secretariat for Non-Believers.
Member committee for African internal affairs Pan African Bishop’s Conference. Vice president Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Ghana, 1982-1988, president, 1988-1991. Member standing committee Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
Achievements
Peter Kwasi Sarpong has been listed as a noteworthy Bishop by Marquis Who’s Who.
Memberships
Chairman council University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, 1972-1977. Chairman Committee Planning for Pre-University Education, 1974-1977, Authorship Development Fund, 1974-1977. Chairman board governors National Cultural Centre, Kumasi, 1974-1977.
Member of Ghana Red Cross. Member Council of State, 1980-1981.