The remains of Rev. Fr. Roch Samson Akolgo, a priest of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, have been laid to rest at the Cathedral Cemetery in Bolgatanga.
Rev. Fr. Roch was buried on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, following funeral rites that brought together clergy, religious leaders, family members, parishioners and sympathisers to bid farewell to the priest, who died on September 12, 2026, at the Nyaho Medical Center in Accra.
Born on November 11, 1973, to the late Paul Ken Akolgo and Madam Christina Asungure Akolgo in the Sumbrungu community, Fr. Roch was the fourth of several siblings and was raised in a Catholic family.
He received his baptism in infancy and later received his First Communion in 1984 before being confirmed the same year. Fr. Roch began his formal education at St. John’s Primary School, where he studied from 1979 to 1985, before continuing at St. John’s Middle School and later Akantome Junior High School.
He proceeded to Bolgatanga Secondary School, completing his secondary education in 1994. His journey to the priesthood took him to St. Victor’s Major Seminary in Tamale, where he underwent seminary formation between 1997 and 2005.
He was ordained a deacon on December 11, 2004, by the then Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev. Gregory E. Kpiebaya, and was ordained a priest for the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese on August 20, 2005, by Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora.
Following his ordination, Fr. Roch began his pastoral ministry at Christ the King Parish in Chiana, where he served from 2005 to 2009. He was subsequently transferred to Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga, serving there from 2009 to 2013.
On September 1, 2013, he was appointed Rector of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Rectorate in Paga, a position he held until October 2015, when he returned to Christ the King Parish, Chiana, as Parish Priest.
Due to health challenges, he was transferred to Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga in August 2018, where he served as Curate.
Following the departure of the Capuchin Friars, Fr. Roch was appointed Acting Director of the Spiritual Renewal Centre in July 2021.
He later joined the staff of Our Lady Queen of Africa Parish, commonly known as OLA Parish, effective August 19, 2024, and remained there until his death.
Throughout his priestly ministry, Fr. Roch was remembered for his simplicity, pastoral charity, and close relationship with the people he served.
He was described as a priest who made himself available to parishioners in both moments of joy and sorrow, taking time to listen to their concerns and accompany them with compassion.
His strong devotion to popular Catholic practices, particularly Marian devotion, the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, Stations of the Cross and novenas, was also identified as a defining feature of his spirituality.
His pastoral commitment extended to the sick, aged and vulnerable, whom he regularly visited in hospitals and homes. He offered prayers, the sacraments and words of encouragement to people experiencing difficult moments, earning a reputation for accompanying families through periods of illness and grief.
His ministry was also characterised by brief but thought-provoking homilies, humour and a strong commitment to pastoral service.
Fr. Roch experienced health challenges from around 2015 to 2016 and continued to seek medical attention at various health facilities. His condition deteriorated in his later years, culminating in his death on September 12, 2026, at the Nyaho Medical Center in Accra.
His death has been particularly painful for his family, including his mother, as well as widows and orphans whom he supported.
According to his biography, Fr. Roch had hoped to give his mother a befitting burial before his own death, a wish he was unable to fulfil.
The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese has described his legacy as one of pastoral love, joyful devotion and compassionate service.
His ministry touched several communities and parishes across the Diocese, with many parishioners remembering him for his closeness to the people and his commitment to deepening their relationship with God.
Rev. Fr. Roch Samson Akolgo was 53 years old at the time of his death. He has been laid to rest at the Cathedral Cemetery in Bolgatanga.
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