The Methodist Church of Ghana's newly established Ho Diocese has appointed a former fetish priest as its bishop.

Rt. Rev. Matthew Zikpi was selected as a candidate because he rejected idolatry and advanced within the church.

When he was a student teacher in Asiana in the Ashanti Region in 1973, his uncle initiated him into voodoo.

In 1978, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Fetish Priest at the Alifia Shrine and taught himself how to tap palms for wine and distill local gin.

He was able to drink massive amounts of alcohol without getting intoxicated, hence no one has ever beaten him in a drinking contest.

In 1984, after repeated attempts by his older brother, he renounced his divinity, devoted his life to Christ, moved in with him and they joined the Methodist Church in Assin Atwereboanda.

When he returned all his possessions, he was cautioned about the consequences of discrediting the gods. Despite the warnings, he was committed to following Jesus Christ.

After earning a Theology Certificate with distinction from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Diploma in Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary, Rt. Rev. Zikpi was commissioned into the Ordained Ministry of the Methodist Church in 2001.

He received his ministerial ordination in 2004 and worked for the church in a number of capacities before being appointed Bishop of the recently established Ho Diocese.