About Us
The Cradle of Priestly Formation in Ghana — Over 90 Years of Faith, Knowledge & Character
St. Teresa's Seminary is the cradle and nerve centre of priestly formation in Ghana. For over 90 years, the seminary has stood tall in the serene environs of Amisano, Elmina, as a beacon of intellectual, human, moral, and spiritual excellence.
Apart from being a place of formation, Amisano has also served as a place of pilgrimage for most parishes in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast.
Our Brief History
It all began on February 14, 1930, when twelve (12) young men were transferred to Amisano from Elmina, where they were receiving preliminary tuition in preparation for the priesthood. Out of the initial twelve, George Ansah and Francis Mensah made it to the end and were ordained on November 8, 1935 — becoming the first indigenous clergy of the Gold Coast (Ghana) to serve the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana.
At the time, both a seminary and a teacher training college existed side by side at Amisano. In May 1930, the Council of the Vicariate decided the two institutions should be considered as separate entities — the seminary governed by the Rector and the training college under the direction of the Principal.
Accordingly, on May 20, 1930, Msgr. Hermann laid the foundation stone for the seminary at an estimated cost of £1,600. Fr. Robbens was named the first Rector of the Seminary.
Growth & Formation
For many years, Missionary Fathers from Holland and Ireland took care of the formation of seminarians due to the significance the Church attached to the priestly ministry. Later, laymen were also introduced to the staff to draw ecclesial balance at the formative stages.
In January 1930, a decision was taken to prepare seminarians in the Gold Coast for the Cambridge School Certificate. The seminary timetable was restructured, subjects re-allocated, and relevant books ordered so the programme could begin.
In 1934, new faces appeared on the staff, including Mr. Francis K. Nkrumah of Axim — later to become the first President of the Republic of Ghana. In his autobiography, he wrote:
"I went to teach at the Roman Catholic Seminary at Amisano near Elmina. This was a new institution and it was the first time that the Roman Catholic Church had established such a place in this country to train its own clergy. It was an honour to be the first teacher of the Gold Coast appointed to train these young men in their preliminary studies for this great vocation… For, as a teacher of these young novices, I too had to observe the strict rules of the seminary and my life at Amisano was quiet and lonely… but it was certainly during this period at the seminary, I regained the religious fervor to such an extent that I formed the idea of taking the vocation to the priesthood myself…"
— Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah
Mr. Nkrumah resigned as a staff member in 1935 and embarked for America to pursue a course at Lincoln University of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Expansion & Legacy
In 1935, the foundation stone of St. Augustine's College was laid, signifying the gradual break-up of the strong relationship between the College and the Seminary at Amisano.
Amisano did not only contribute to ecclesial and national life — it also had a hand in the international politics of the time. The seminary grounds became the barracks of the Royal Air Force in the 1940s.
On December 11, 1949, Rev. John K. Amissah was ordained to the priesthood. He was retained to serve on the staff of the seminary until he was named the auxiliary bishop and later the first African Archbishop of Cape Coast, until his untimely death in 1991.
Until quite recently, all the other dioceses in Ghana trained their priests at Amisano, where both the Major and Minor Seminaries were located. In 1957, major seminary formation was relocated to Pedu in Cape Coast.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission:
"To form growing men to become shepherds after the Lord's own heart."
Motto:
"I will go to the Altar of God."
Our Vision:
To educate and form young men to render service to God and the world.
To form young men to be outstanding in selfless giving and pastoral charity.
To equip the young men to carry the burden of their fellow brethren in society.
To be witnesses of the Good News and the faith to the world.
Our Patroness:
Imitating the spirituality of its patroness, St. Teresa, who represents and symbolizes the perfection of grace in simplicity, the character of formation in the Seminary has been simple and humble — that future priests in the vineyard of God may remain simple and humble instruments leading others to God.
Our Achievements
3rd Best WASSCE School in Central Region
The Central Region of Ghana is home to some of the very best Senior High Schools in the country. We are proud to have won the 3rd best spot in WASSCE performance out of 69 schools. Ayekoo!
Diocesan Award
From the Archdiocese of Cape Coast.
Award from Rome
From St. Peter's Square, Italy.
Award from the Government of Ghana
From the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana.
Awards from Catholic Religious Organizations
It is very humbling to know that we have become a place of retreat for all the societies of the mother church.
Let's Stand Together — Support Our Effort by a Donation
Every year, in November, we celebrate our anniversary as a thanksgiving to the many well-wishers and alumni whose contributions have fed the seminary for more than 90 years.
Adopt a hall, give cash or in kind, volunteer your skills — and you will be more than glad you did. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Become a Volunteer
Let's Grow Our Catholic Faith Together
St. Teresa's Seminary remains committed to forming growing men to be outstanding in selfless giving and pastoral charity — equipped to carry with their fellow brethren society's burdens and to be witnesses of the Good News and the Faith to the world.
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