Africa-Press – Ghana. The Reverend Professor Grace Nkansa Asante, a trailblazing Ghanaian academic and Anglican priest, has been appointed as Africa’s representative on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) – the prestigious body tasked with selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
Her appointment, announced officially by the Church of England on May 13, 2025, marks a significant moment not only for Ghana but for the entire African continent.
It places her among five regional Anglican Communion representatives – alongside members from Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Europe – who will serve as voting members on the 20-member Commission.
Their collective mission is to discern and nominate the 106th spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion.
For Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante, this call to serve comes with profound spiritual weight. “When I heard the news initially, I just knelt in front of my bed and wept in joy to the Lord,” she recalled.
“It is like David saying, ‘Who am I and what is my family that you, God Almighty, look kindly on me?’ I thank God from the bottom of my heart.”
Though the appointment had been in motion long before its public announcement, the moment was deeply emotional as she says, “This announcement calmed my heart and brought intense joy to me. It made me feel loved by God and special in His sight.
“Wow! What a privilege!” she stressed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, her voice marked with a mixture of humility and awe.
Ecclesiastical and academic excellence
The inclusion of Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante in the Commission is not only a matter of ecclesiastical representation but also one of intellectual gravitas.
She currently serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and recently made history as the first woman in Ghana to be promoted to Full Professor of Economics – a groundbreaking achievement in a traditionally male-dominated field.
She holds a PhD and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from KNUST, and a Master’s from the University of Ghana, Legon.
Her academic interests lie in Economic Policy Analysis, Monetary Economics, and Financial Economics, areas in which she has taught and researched for close to two decades.
Her dedication to education is not confined to the lecture halls of Ghana. As a Visiting Lecturer for the African Economic Research Consortium’s Joint Facility for Electives, she contributes to nurturing a new generation of African economists.
Between 2019 and 2022, she served as Head of the Department of Economics at KNUST, initiating key reforms and mentoring emerging scholars.
Yet, beyond the blackboard and research journals, Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante serves a higher calling – as an ordained Anglican priest.
Bridging pulpit and podium
She ministers at the Archbishop Thomas Cranmer Anglican Church within the KNUST community, balancing academic rigour with spiritual responsibility.
Her dual vocation, she believed, exemplifies a synergy between faith and intellect.
“As an Anglican Priest, it is like representing the voices of all the clergy to select our chief priest, our shepherd,” she states.
That sense of responsibility looms large, she admits, and that “it is a great responsibility and it is pushing me more into the spiritual realms. God have mercy on me.”
“This is quite challenging because I need the strict direction of the Holy Spirit. I cannot afford to disappoint – not only all the Anglican clergy on the continent but the Christian community.”
Her journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. Before academia and ministry, she served as a research officer at the African Development Bank in Côte d’Ivoire, working in the Governance Division.
She also served in public administration at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. These varied roles, she believed, prepared her for the nuanced discernment required in her current appointment.
A voice for Africa, a flag for Ghana
As the only African voice on the CNC, Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante understands the weight of her representation. “All eyes on me – it is not easy,” she notes rather candidly.
She further states that, “People have been telling me that I have been favoured and blessed by God, but within me I feel really challenged to be the right instrument… and bring the glory God has designed to bear.”
Her appointment reflects the 2022 reforms of the General Synod, which expanded the number of Communion representatives from one to five, thereby ensuring a broader and more inclusive perspective in this global process.
“This appointment speaks volumes to me as a person. God says our ways and our thoughts are not His. Little did I ever think of coming this far,” she said. “Being called into the priesthood is even another dimension altogether. Personally, I do not think I have an idea of God’s plans for my life.”
“As a Ghanaian, I feel this raises the flag of our beloved country. My voice, intellect and comportment will speak volumes for the image of our country,” Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante adds with conviction.
Shaping the Communion’s future
The CNC has already conducted public consultations across the global Anglican community, gathering insights on the qualities and spiritual direction required of the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
These consultations, held between February and March, will shape deliberations in the Commission’s scheduled meetings in May, July, and September 2025.
Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante is resolute about bringing the concerns of African Anglicans to the table.
“Africa holds certain values that cannot be underplayed when deciding on who should lead the Anglican Communion,” she stated.
“Women are more in our churches, and if God has granted me this great opportunity, I think my consideration cannot be devoid of the concerns and voices of the many voiceless women and their role in church development.”
She also emphasized the importance of youth representation: “Africa has a growing population. In my consideration, I will ensure that the views and concerns of our youth will be greatly taken care of in my decision – to improve on their spiritual lives.”
Her approach will not be solitary as she believes “this appointment is not about myself, or my voice. I know the Holy Spirit will give me all the support and directions that I need to do a good job. My clergy men and women will not leave me alone,” she said with confidence.
“Canterbury is also sharing lots of documents, and discussions have been going on. I believe strongly that God’s will, will prevail.”
A moment for the continent
In Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante, Africa finds not only a representative on the Commission but a figure of unity – someone deeply grounded in spiritual conviction, academic excellence, and the complexities of global governance.
Her presence on the Crown Nominations Commission ensures that Africa’s diverse experiences, challenges, and aspirations will not just be heard, but will meaningfully shape the future leadership of the Anglican Communion.
And for the Ghanaian faithful watching her ascend to this global platform, her appointment is a powerful reminder of what happens when service, humility, and excellence converge.
“I have fully surrendered to Him like the Blessed Virgin Mary said, ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word,’” Rev. Prof. Nkansa Asante said with optimism, her voice a blend of reverence and readiness.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
