By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA
Santasi, March 25, GNA – The Joint Congress of the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of West Africa (RECOMSWA) and the Africa Religious Union – Ghana (ARUG) has been held at Christian Village, Santasi, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region with a reminder to leaders in society of the value of selfless service to transformational leadership. Â
To this end, leaders, particularly consecrated men and women of religious bodies, have been urged to exercise leadership not from power or control but selfless service to humanity to achieve the desired end.
The three-day conference was on the theme: “Consecrated Life for Transformation: Safeguarding, Transformative Leadership, Witnesses of Hope”.
The event brought together bishops, archbishops, reverend fathers, Sisters and Brothers, Nananom (traditional rulers), actors in local government authorities, among others.
Rev Sr Simona Brambilla, Prefect, Dicastery for Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in a keynote address, under the sub- theme: “Consecrated Life for Transformation and Hope” read on her behalf, recalled the Lord Jesus’ admonition, that, “whoever must be leader among you must be servant of all.”
The address highlighted that true leadership comes from humility, service and sacrificing for others rather than seeking authority.
Rev Sr Brambilla said persons called to exercise authority must know that they could do so successfully if they sought the will of God with intensity and righteousness.
“Without being rooted in Christ, there can be no authentic transformation,” she said.
She indicated that transformational leadership promotes co-responsibility, making leaders and followers equally accountable towards a common goal.
She said the church looks up to the Consecrated Men and Women of Africa with confidence, ordained to be safe spaces in a wounded world, servant leaders in a time of confusion and witnesses of hope in a vibrant and dynamic world.
Father Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, the President of the RECOMSWA, giving the background and opening address, said the mission of the RECOMSWA, which is the umbrella organisation for all conferences of Consecrated Life in the West Africa sub- region is to ensure that consecrated life in West Africa remains a prophetic, credible and transformative presence in the church and society.
He said the RECOMSWA exists to strengthen consecrated life across West Africa, through formation, collaboration, safeguarding, leadership development and the building of strong ecclesial structures.
He disclosed that there are 15 national conferences of Major Superiors under RECOMSWA which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, la Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau and Liberia.
The others are Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Ghana.
Father Ennin expressed gratitude to the Conference of Major Superiors, Ghana and to the Archdiocese of Kumasi for graciously hosting the conference.
Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishop of Sunyani and President of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference said the theme for the conference is both timely and compelling.
He said the theme speaks directly to the prophetic vocation of Consecrated Men and Women in responding to the spiritual, social and moral challenges of our time.
According to him, through faithful witness, service and radical commitment to the gospel, Consecrated life continues to play a vital role in the transformation of individuals, communities and nations.
Most Rev. Gyamfi said the joint Congress which brings together Major Superiors and religious leaders from Ghana, West Africa and beyond, affirms the enduring contribution of religious institutes to evangelization, education, healthcare, social justice and integral human development.
A goodwill message delivered by Sr. Lucy Hometu, the President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious- Ghana (CSMR- GH) said the general assembly offers a valuable opportunity to deepen communion among our institutes, to learn from one another’s experience and to discern together creative responses to the signs of the times.
“We trust that your deliberations will lead to renewed zeal and concrete pathways for strengthening Religious Life and its contribution to evangelization and integral human development,” he said.
On his part, Mr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, in a goodwill message read on his behalf said throughout the history of Africa and even in Ghana, religious men and women have been powerful agents of transformation.
“They built the first schools that educated our leaders, established hospitals, reached the poor and marginalised among others,” he said.
He said the legacy of these religious men and women continue to shape the moral and intellectual foundation of our society.
The Minister emphasised that, the Regional Coordinating Council and the Government of Ghana remain committed to the strengthening of collaboration with Faith-Based Organizations to help advance education, empower young people and support vulnerable communities.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah