In a strategic move to enhance institutional efficiency, data accountability, and project sustainability within Catholic Religious administrative structures in Ghana, three prominent networks have converged at the Eusbett Hotel in Sunyani for a week-long, intensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) workshop.
It commenced on Monday, July 6, 2026, and is scheduled to run through Friday, July 10, 2026.
The workshop, funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is being facilitated by Mr. Tom Olila, the Director of Strategic Connections, Kenya, a consultant for organizational development and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) facilitator from Kenya, East Africa, who partners with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
The five-day residential programme has brought together key stakeholders, project coordinators, and administrators from the participating networks: Conpaht Talitha Kum, Ghana (Consecrated Persons Against Human Trafficking), Catholic Sisters Elderly Care Network, Ghana (CSECNG) and the Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana (CASCON-GH).
This collaboration aims to equip participants with modern, evidence-based tools to track, evaluate, and report on social development interventions, educational programmes, and pastoral projects across various dioceses.
In introducing the faciltator, Sr. Victoria Suanzy-Essien, SSND described the facilitator as an experienced facilitator and mentor who is well- vested in all areas of Project Management.
Addressing the participants during the opening session, Mr. Olila underscored that Monitoring and Evaluation should no longer be viewed merely as a bureaucratic requirement, but rather as a vital tool for pastoral stewardship.
Mr. Olila urged the participants to ensure that their interventions genuinely impact human lives and uphold the dignity of the people they serve, measure their progress with precision and transparency.
Mr. Tom Olila irged the participants to be innovative and creative in what they do in order to stand out. “Most donors may ask you, what is ennovative about your proposal or your project? What is unique about it?”, he informed.
Mr. Olila mentioned four major areas the Workshop will cover under Monitoring,Evaluation and Learning (MEL) namely, Financial Management, Strategy, Progamme Management and Oganisational Development.
The workshop covers several core operational areas, including:
Developing Robust M&E Frameworks: Designing logical models tailored to faith-based and community-centred initiatives.
Data Collection Mechanics: Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to accurately assess community needs and programme success.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Transforming raw data into actionable insights for institutional growth and reporting to international partners.
As part of the practical training, the participants engaged in intensive network-based group presentations structured strictly around the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) Framework.
These sessions allowed the different networks to pitch real-world models, peer-review their data strategies, and align their upcoming pastoral and social intervention projects with international standards of reporting.
The Role of CASCON-GH
Members of the Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana (CASCON-GH) remain on the ground in Sunyani, serving as the primary media frontliners.
True to their mandate of projecting the mission of the Church and Consecrated Persons through professional media coverage, CASCON-GH is documenting the proceedings to ensure the lessons and outcomes of this milestone workshop are shared among the participants and kept as records for future reference and implementation.
As the workshop continues through the week, participants are engaging in practical breakout sessions, peer reviews, and hands-on case studies.
The knowledge acquired during this five-day convergence is expected to significantly upgrade the administrative capacities of the three networks, ensuring that projects carried out by them in Ghana continue to operate at the highest standards of accountability.
The participants in the workshop include: Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ, Director – CASCON- GH, Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC, Assistant Director – CASCON-GH, Sr. Rebecca Asante, SVI, Finance Manager- CASCON-GH, Sr. Gifty Anastasia Blewu, SMMC Organiser/ PRO- CASCON-GH, Sr. Fidelia Unigive, DC, National Coordinator – Talithakum, Ms. Eugenia Akoto – Mensah, Programme Manager- Talithakum, and Sr. Immaculate Lugugia, DC, Wellness Coordinator – CSECNG.
The rest are Sr. Victoria Suanzy-Essien, SSND, Project Manager – CSECNG, Sr. Mary Asumta Zaagbeb, SMI, Wellness Coordinator, CSECNG and Mr. Emmanuel Abedu, Administrative Assistant CSECNG.
By Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana – CASCON-GH)
