Over 40 Catholic Religious Formators from across Ghana gathered at Ofoase Kokobeng for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Religious Formators (NARF) from September 17 to 20, 2026, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
The annual assembly, hosted by the Kumasi Sector, brought together leaders responsible for guiding candidates through religious formation to share experiences, support one another, and exchange ideas on nurturing young men and women for religious life and apostolic ministry.
The formal opening Mass took place on September 17 at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Offinso Kokobeng. Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah, Catholic Bishop of Obuasi, presided over the Eucharistic celebration, joined by formators and local parishioners, including representatives from St. Theresa’s Society and the Christian Mothers Association.
This year’s meeting, held under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Journeying with the New Generation,” focused on understanding the needs of Generation Z and the upcoming Alpha generation entering formation houses. The beauty of it was the collaborative presentation on the theme by two Gen Y formators from the Institute of the Sisters of St. Louis and the Congregation of the Marist Brothers of the Schools, in the persons of Sr. Michelle Ankrah, SSL and Bro. Augustine Njuakom, FMS.
Delegates arrived on September 16, with official proceedings taking place from September 17 through September 20.
Participants represented dioceses structured across four main regional sectors. The Kumasi Sector encompasses the Archdiocese of Kumasi, the Diocese of Obuasi, the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, and the Diocese of Goaso.
The Sunyani Sector comprises the Diocese of Sunyani and the Diocese of Techiman. Southern and coastal dioceses were represented through the South-East and South-West sectors, including the Archdiocese of Accra, Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, Diocese of Koforidua, Diocese of Keta-Akatsi, and Diocese of Ho. Formators from all Catholic dioceses across the northern regions of Ghana made up the Northern Sector.
The Formators visited the Military Museum and the Manhyia Palace as part of the program.
As the four-day gathering concluded on September 20, the formators departed Ofoase Kokobeng equipped with renewed insights and collaborative strategies to nurture the next generation of religious leaders. By addressing the evolving needs of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, the assembly reaffirmed NARF’s commitment to fostering compassionate, adaptive, and spiritually grounded mentorship across Ghana’s formation houses.
By Sr. Michelle Ankrah, SSL (Catholic Sister Communicators Network Ghana- CASCON-GH)
