At the 45th General Meeting for Vocation Directors in Ghana at Takoradi in the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese in the Western Region of Ghana, Dr. Norah Nonterah, a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, highlighted the importance of companionship in promoting mission as a great way to connect the theme to scripture.
In keynote address on the theme “Nurturing Vocation in the Synodal Church, the role of the Vocation Promoter, she stated that the Synodal Church emphasis on dialogue and listening as crucial to the people of God especially as Vocation Promoters because it calls on inclusivity and collaboration. 
Synodality, she said is coming together, journeying together, listening to each other, and above all, listening to the Holy Spirit and emphasised on communion, shared responsibility, and the equal dignity of all baptized individuals being in the heart of the Synodal Spirit.
She alluded to the fact that there has been a wrong perception that the Priests and Religious own the church, depicting that the lay people are passive collaborators.
According to her, the case of clericalism where the Priest is seen to be up there and the rest are down was another issue and these were still relevant challenges today, and it’s crucial that “we work to create a more inclusive and collaborative Church community.” 
For Dr. Nonterah, the image of the Church as a place where people come together from different levels, united in their desire to serve the Trinitarian God stands tall. This, she opined, emphasis on dialogue, communal service, and consensus-building as key characteristics of the synodal church.
“By prioritizing, consultation, participation, and listening, the synodal Church creates a space where all voices can be heard, and where the community can work together towards a common goal,” she added.
She stated: “This means as promoters you have a vital role to play in creating a Synodal Church.” She posed: “How do you think vocation promoters can balance the need to support and nurture individuals with the need to also challenge and encourage them to grow and take risks in their vocational journeys?”
The KNUST lecturer stated that, as promoters, your focus should on the person and their expectations, in order to create a safe and supportive space for candidates to share their thoughts, feelings, and experience.
“Listening is indeed about being fully present and engaged with the person with an open heart and mind,” she noted, saying that nurturing a vocation in the synodal Church is akin to cultivating a precious talent, requiring careful attention, guidance, and support to flourish.
According to Dr. Nontera, the term “nurturing” implies a deliberate and compassionate effort to care for, protect, and foster growth in an individual or endeavour. 
“These are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of caring for and nurturing young individuals, helping them discern and develop their unique vocations within the Church,” she said, adding, “By doing so, vocation promoters play a vital role in shaping the future of the Church, empowering the next generation of leaders to thrive in their respective callings.”
She was of the view that vocation promoters must provide effective guidance, international connection and collaboration are essential. This global perspective, he said, enables promoters to share best practices and expertise, access diverse resources and networks, foster a deeper understanding of the universal Church and accompany individuals discerning vocations in an increasingly interconnected world.
By Sr. Juliana A. Atuuna (SMI). Sr. Communicator
