Members of the Noble Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies Auxiliary in the Koforidua – Ho Grand Commandery have converged at Ho Technical University for the Sixth Biennial Grand Convention of the Order.
It was held the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope: Journeying Together in Fraternity and Service.”
The four-day gathering, brought together delegates from the Koforidua, Ho, Jasikan, and Keta-Akatsi Catholic Dioceses, alongside clergy, dignitaries, and invited guests.
It marked the final convention under the unified Koforidua-Ho Grand Commandery, as the Order prepared to transition into two distinct Grand Commanderies – Ho and Koforidua.
The Knights of St. John, a para-military fraternal society within the Roman Catholic Church, is known for its discipline, charity, and commitment to evangelization and community development.
Addressing the gathering, Col. John Bliss Kokroko, Regimental District Commander, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the Order through decades of service and spiritual growth.
“Our district has stood tall as a pillar of strength, discipline, and unwavering Catholic identity,” he said.
He disclosed that the Order in the Ho, Jasikan, and Keta-Akatsi Dioceses had reached 50 years of existence, a milestone that reflected its enduring legacy in the region.
“This convention is a sacred opportunity to pause, reflect, and re-imagine our future in unity, charity, and loyalty,” Col. Kokroko added.
Brigadier-Gen. Paul Amoasi Baidoo, Grand President of the Koforidua-Ho Grand Commandery and Chairman for the occasion, commended the Order’s leadership and reaffirmed its role in advancing the Church’s mission.
Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Catholic Bishop of Ho, in a goodwill message, described the theme as timely and aligned with the universal Church’s Jubilee Year.
“Our Christian identity compels us to walk in solidarity, not in isolation, sharing one another’s burdens and working together in service to God and humanity,” he stated.
He congratulated the district on the creation of the new Grand Commanderies, saying the move signifies growth and deeper commitment to the Order’s mission.
Reverend Fr. Dr. Alexander G.K. Salakpi, guest speaker, linked the Jubilee Year 2025–2026 to the theme of hope, fraternity, and service.
“Hope is a theological virtue that sustains us in times of uncertainty, calling us to journey together in faith and service,” he said.
Prof. Christopher Mensah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University, welcomed delegates on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ben Honyenuga.
“The theme is deeply relevant, reminding us that our lives are a shared journey guided by faith, brotherhood, and service,” he noted.
He assured the Order of HTU’s continued support, citing shared values of discipline, moral leadership, and service to humanity.
Major General William Edmund Nii-Okang Adjei, Supreme Subordinate President, urged members to bury petty quarrels and forge ahead in unity.
“In Christ, we are one. Let us leave this convention with a common purpose of fraternity and service,” he said.
He emphasized that the split of the Koforidua-Ho Commandery into two was not a division, but a strategic growth opportunity for evangelization.
N/S Victoria Anyan, Supreme Subordinate Ladies Auxiliary, congratulated the district for its dedication to unity and service.
“In a world often marked by division and despair, your witness to fraternity and hope is prophetic,” she said.
She encouraged members to deepen their spiritual journey and bring light and life wherever they serve.
GNA
