A Solemn Holy Mass has been celebrated at the All Saints Catholic Church, Santasi, in the Kumasi Archdiocese, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, to commence the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of West Africa (RECOMSWA) and African Religious Union of Ghana (ARUG) Conference.
The Opening Mass for the Conference that is running from March 12 to 16, 2026 was officiated by the Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye, Archbishop of Kumasi and concelebrated by the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).
Also concelebrating were the Most Rev. John Kobina Louis, Auxillary Bishop of Accra Archdiocese and Episcopal Chair for Clergy and Consecrated Persons in Ghana; and the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Emeritus Archbishop of Kumasi.
Other concelebrants were: Rev. Fr. Clement Nandou, Official of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, from Rome, Rev. Fr. Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, President of the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of West Africa (RECOMSWA) and Rev. Fr. Vincent de Paul Boro, Deputy Secretary General of RECOMSWA.
In a homily during the Mass, Archbishop Anokye reflected on the First Reading from Hosea 14:2-10.
He charged all present to remain faithful to God, maintaining that “Our Nation and identity will be healed if we keep our fidelity to God”.
Re-echoeing the message of faithfulness, as employed in the Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), the prelate upheld that the love of God, which is the greatest commandment, goes hand-in-glove with love of neighbour.
“The two are inseparable,” he underpinned, challenging all to go and apply the law of Love; “That is our Commandment, that is our Ordinance, that is our Precept, our Constitution, that is the Rule for RECOMSWA and ARUG,” he buttressed.
Briefing the Consecrated Persons on the ecclesiastical status of the Kumasi Archdiocese, the Local Ordinary informed that the Archdiocese comprises of 73 Parishes, 54 Schools (of various levels), 212 Diocesan Schools, 120 Religious Men and Women, 418 Catechists, 52 Major Seminarians and 500,000 baptized Catholics.
He celebrated the fact that Kumasi Archdiocese was chosen to host the RECOMSWA and ARUG Conference, which he described as “a wonderful occasion,” and thanked all for their presence. He further expressed his joy during the homily by the use of the French language, in an attempt to accommodate participants who had come from French-speaking countries.
He lauded his 93-year-old predecessor, Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong, for his encouraging presence and support.
To him, the commitment of the Emeritus, who recently marked his 56 years of Episcopal Ordination, should be an encouragement and example to all Consecrated Persons to be committed not only to the Church of Ghana, but West Africa as a whole.
Present at the Mass was Sr. Tiziana Merletti, Secretary of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Rome, representing Sr. Simona Brambilia, MC, Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, who was going to deliver the Keynote Address during the Conference.
Also present was the Right Rev. Oscar Christian Amoah, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, as well as Consecrated Persons from within Ghana and Delegates from other West African countries.
In a vote of thanks at the end of the Mass, Rev. Fr. Denis Pam, M. Afri., Vice President of the Conference of Major Superiors, Ghana, appreciated everyone for their presence.
By Sr. Sheila Adombire, HHCJ, Sr. Agnes Nyatsoe Mawuvi, SMMC, Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR and Sr. Gifty Anastasia Blewu, SMMC (Catholic Sisters Communication Network, Ghana – CASCON-GH)
