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Most Reverend Justice Ofei Akrofi, Archbishop of the Anglican Province of West Africa and Bishop of the Diocese of Accra was the only Ghanaian among several candidates selected worldwide as recipients of the ‘Salute to Greatness Award’ by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The award, held in the Crystal Ballroom, Wyndham Nassau Resort in the New Province of the Bahamas is in honour of outstanding professionals and others in various fields whose commitment to excellence, diligence and self-sacrifice has added immeasurable benefit to the communities that they have served or continue to serve. These include educators, nurses, healthcare and public service professionals of distinction.
Potential honourees are those persons who through consistency and longevity have achieved success in a chosen profession or career and who are viewed not only for what they have achieved individually but also for the achievement they inspired in others. The award is further made to inspire, educate and enlighten human minds to the reality that success, achievement and respect are void of colour or gender.
His grace, the Most Reverend Dr. Justice Ofei Akrofi has dedicated his life and ministry to education and theology, and has taken every opportunity afforded him to spread the gospel in all avenues.
The son of an Anglican priest, Archbishop Akrofi carried on this proud tradition of the priesthood by pursuing studies in the United States, culminating in a Master’s Degree from Yale University Divinity School. Upon returning to Ghana, he served as Tutor and Chaplain to Adisadel College; Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast; and, Resident and Anglican Chaplain at the Ridge Church.
In 1981, he was chosen as the Provost (Dean) of the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity, and was elected and enthroned as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra in 1906. After serving in that position for eight (8) years, he was elected and enthroned as the Archbishop of the Anglican Church oif the Province of West Africa.
In addition to his pastoral duties as provincial head, Archbishop Akrofi has ably served in many ecumenical capacities, including: Member of the Board of the Bible Society of Ghana; Member of the Board of the World Vision International, Ghana; Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana; Member of the Board of Trustees of the Akrofi-Christaller Memorial Centre for Mission and Applied Theology; and, Member of the council of Regent University College of Science and Technology.
In May 2000, he was bestowed with Doctor of Humane Letters by the Central Connecticut State University, and was also honoured with a national recognition Order of the Star of Volta (Companion) in 2006.
Other recipients included His Royal Highness Prince Guduza Dlamini of the Kingdom of Swaziland, His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Absalom Themba Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano, Former President of the Republic of Mozambique, Dame Marguerite M. Pindling, Former First Lady of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and The Rev’d. Al Sharpton, Civil Rights Leader, United States of America.
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