Profile of Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kweku Asante (Presiding Bishop)

The Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante was born on Wednesday 12th April, 1950 at Ejura in the Ashanti Region to Nana Kofi Appiah of Ntonso and Madam Adjoa Afrimu (alias Adjoa Konama) of Ejura (both of blessed memory). After his initial elementary education at the Ejura Local Authority Anglican Middle school and a stint at the Salem Secondary School, Osu in Accra, Emmanuel enrolled at the Institute of Adult Education and studied for the General Certificate Examination ‘O’ Levels.

He had his initial theological education at the Christian Service College, Kumasi from 1974-1977 and obtained a Diploma in Biblical Studies. From 1977-1979 The Rt. Rev. Prof. Asante obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies from Cambridge University and a Certificate in Religious Studies from the London Bible College. Between 1980-1986 he studied at the Federated Universities of St. Paul and Ottawa, both in Ottawa, Canada and obtained Bachelor of Theology (civil), Bachelor of Theology (Ecclesiastic) concurrent from 1980-1983, Master of Arts (M.A. Theo) 1983-1984 and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. Theology) 1984-1986. He was ordained in the Methodist Church Ghana in 1986.

Positions Held in the Church
• Evangelist, 1970-1977
• Class Leader, Bantama Society, 1971-1977
• Local Preacher, Kumasi Circuit, 1971-1977
• President, Youth Fellowship, Bantama Society, 1972-1976
• Circuit Youth Secretary, Kumasi, 1973-1975
• Circuit Minister, Ayigya Society, 1986-1987
• Circuit Minister, Wesley, Kumasi Circuit, 1987-1988
• Superintendent Minister, 1988-1994
• Assistant Synod Secretary, 1987-1988
• Synod Secretary, 1989-1994
• Director, Theological Education by Extension, 1994-2006
• Methodist Chaplain, Accra Ridge Church, 1994-1998
• General Director, BOM, 1996-2000
• Minister In-charge, Trinity United Church, Legon, 1999-2004
• Chairman, Ordained Ministry Division (BOM) since 2002
• Director, Tertiary Education Division (BEY) 2005-2008
• Member, Advisory Board of the Youth Division
• Conference member since 1987
• Member of the GPC since 1994
• Member, Standing Committee, Kumasi Diocese 1986-1994;2006

The Rt. Rev. Prof. Asante has served a number of Ecumenical bodies including the following;
• Theological Consultant, Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa since 1996.
• Chairman, Ghana Theological Education by Extension (GATEE) 1996-2000.
• Chairman, Advisory Committee, Church and Society Division, Christian Council of Ghana 1996-1999.
• Member, Executive Committee Christian Council of Ghana, 1999-2006.
• Member, Advisory Committee on Finance and Development, Christian Council of Ghana 1999-2006.

Positions Held in Secular Bodies
• Member, Judicial Council of Ghana since 2002.
• Member, Disciplinary Committee, Judicial Council of Ghana, 2002.
• Host, ‘world-view’. Church and Society Programme of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, 1996 to date.
• Member, Ejura-Sekodumasi District Assembly, (Government Appointee) 2006.
• Member, Executive Committee, Ejura-Sekodumasi District Assembly, 2006

Positions Held in Theological Institutions
• Adjunct Lecturer, Christian Service College, Kumasi, 1987-1994.
• Chairman, Council of the Christian Service College, Kumasi 1992-1994.
• Vice Principal/Academic Dean, Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, then Trinity College, Legon 1994-1998.
• Lecturer, Systematic & Practical Theologies (Trinity Theological Seminary, 1994
• Editor, Trinity Journal of Church and Theology , 1998-1999.
• President, Trinity Theological Seminary, 1999-2006.
• Senior Lecturer, Trinity Theological Seminary, 2000-2003.
• Associate Professor, 2003

Positions held in Other Academic Institutions
• External Examiner, Institute of African Studies University of Ghana, Legon, 2000.
• External Examiner, Christian Service College, 1999-2002.
• External Examiner, Ghana Baptist Seminary, Abuakwa, 2003-2007.
• Consultant, National Accreditation Board, 1998.
• Member of Council, Methodist University College 1999-2005.
• Chairman, Interim Management Committee Christian Service University College, 2005-2007.
• Foundational Head and Lecturer, Department of Religious Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2006-2008.
• Member, Faculty Board, Faculty of Social Sciences, 2006.
• Member, College Board, College of Art and Social Sciences, 2006.
• Member, Appointment and promotions Committee, College of Art and Social Sciences.
• Member, Academic Board, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2006.
• Member of Council, Christian Service University College 2006-2008.
• Chairman, Academic Board, Christian Service University College, 2006-2007.
• External Examiner, Akrofi Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, Akropong, 2006.
• Academic Board’s representative, Disciplinary Committee, KNUST, 2007.
• External Examiner, Department for the Study of Religious, University of Ghana, Legon 2006.

Publications
He has published several books and articles on Religion and Theology.

The Rt. Rev. Prof. Asante is married to Mrs. Comfort Asante. They are blessed with three adult sons, Emmanuel, Paul and Jerry.