KUMASI, DIOCESE OF. — It is a relatively recent mission (11 Feb. 1932), erected as an apostolic vicariate with territory detached from that of the Gold Coast (v.). On 18 Apr. 1950 it was elevated to a diocese; it has an area of 62,873 sq. km. and a population of 823,672 inhabitants, the majority of whom are pagans. Protestants number 65,000 and Muslims 70,000; indigenous Catholics are 40,768 and catechumens 21,103.
The apostolate is carried out in 8 quasi-parishes with 4 primary stations and 462 secondary stations, and is conducted by the fathers of the Society of African Missions, 27 in all; they are assisted by 9 European sisters and 120 indigenous catechists. There are 253 elementary schools with 19,660 pupils, 25 middle schools with 2,871, and several other young people studying outside the vicariate: the mission has a minor seminary with 12 students. The baptisms of adult converts in the last recorded year (1948-49) were 2,066, and those of children 1,581. Two periodicals with respectable circulations are published there.