poreku studied for the priesthood in navrongo from 1934 to 1939 prior to commencing his philosophical and theological studies at saint victor's school in wiagha. he received his ordination to the priesthood in nandom at saint theresa's church from bishop gérard bertrand in 1951 before furthering his studies. he earned a diploma in social studies from the saint francis xavier college in antigonish in canada in 1958 and also obtained his doctorate from the international catechetical institute "lumen vitae" in brussels in belgium. the former permitted him to enter after the knights of columbus granted him a scholarship in 1957. he returned to his homeland in 1959 serving as a parochial vicar in nandom before serving as the vicar-general for the tamale archdiocese until 1960.