The new head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, says his new position calls for Ghanaians, and for that matter Africans to be just and peaceful towards one another.

The cardinal said this at a ceremony held in his honour at the St. Francis De Sales Cathedral to welcome him back from the Vatican City after his new appointment.

Hundreds of residents poured onto the streets of Cape Coast to catch a glimpse of the 61-year old cardinal.

Meanwhile, the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall has congratulated Cardinal Appiah Turkson on his new appointment.

In a press statement issued on Friday, the Knights said they “received with great joy, the appointment by His Holiness, Pope Benedict xvi, of His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Kodwo Appiah-Turkson, as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican.”

“The elevation of Cardinal Turkson to this high profile office is not an honour to him and Ghana alone but an attestation by the Catholic Church that Africa is more than ready to lead the world in seeking justice and peace for all.

“We of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall note with pride his sterling performance as Relator-General at the just ended 2nd Special Assembly for Africa of the synod of Bishops and are confident that Cardinal Turkson will excel in his new office.”