The Catholic Diocese of Sunyani (CDS) was created on 30 March 1973, out of the Kumasi Diocese, now Archdiocese. Most Rev. James Kwadwo Owusu, former Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces, was installed as its first Bishop. Upon its creation, apart from the Bishop, the Diocese had only two native priests: Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Mensah-Abrampah, who was Vicar General from 1973 to 1995, and Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Danso, now of Goaso Diocese.  It had only nine parishes, namely: Atebubu, Techiman, Sunyani, Berekum, Dormaa Ahenkro, Kwasiboukrom, Sampa, Bechem, and Mim.

Given the lack of laborers in the vineyard, the late Bishop Owusu went round Europe to look for missionaries to help him build the diocese.  The response to his appeal was quite favorable.  A number of religious societies and congregations came to establish mission in the Diocese.  These included the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (SMA), Society of the Divine Word (SVD), Medical Mission Sisters (MMS), and Our Lady of the Apostles (OLA).  Later, more congregations came, including the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP), Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), Order of Franciscan Missionaries (OFM Conventual), Order of St. Benedict (OSB), Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (JMJ), Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp or the Spiritans,) and Holy Cross Brothers.

Religious missionaries are under contract with the Diocese.  Aware that they could be withdrawn by their Congregations once their contract expired, Bishop Owusu saw the need to nurture priests for the Diocese.  Thus, in 1978, he established St. James Minor Seminary at Abesim, Sunyani. Since its establishment, the seminary has been able to produce close to 90 priests.

Today, thirty-five years since its creation, the Diocese has a total of 31 parishes and rectorates, 59 priests, five men religious and nine women religious congregations, and more than 25 lay organizations.