Ghanaian HDR Sister elected first female zonal coordinator for Caritas ECOWAS

In a groundbreaking moment in Rome on Saturday, May 13, 2023, Sister Regina Ignatia Aflah, HDR, from Caritas Ghana, has been elected as the Zonal Coordinator for the RECOWA/CERAO (ECOWAS) Zone during the 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis.

This remarkable achievement marks the first time in the history of Caritas Internationalis that a woman has been appointed to the esteemed position of Zonal Coordinator.

According to sources within Caritas International, Sister Aflah’s election to the position of Zonal Coordinator demonstrates the organization’s progress towards gender equality within the Catholic Church and also showcases a recognition of her exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the principles of Caritas Internationalis, particularly in the role over the years in Ghana.

In her new role as the Zonal Coordinator for RECOWA/CERAO (ECOWAS) Zone, Sister Aflah will oversee the coordination of Caritas activities and initiatives within the region for the next four years.

In addition to her historic election as Zonal Coordinator, Sister Aflah, HDR, was also elected Board Member of Caritas Internationalis for the next four years.

This solidifies her position as a prominent figure within the global Caritas community, allowing her to play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future direction and policies, particularly in Africa.

As a member of Caritas Ghana, Sister Aflah has been instrumental in spearheading numerous humanitarian projects and initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty, promoting social justice, and providing essential services to those in need. She is noted to have made invaluable contributions and impacts on the lives of countless individuals and communities throughout the country.

Sister Aflah’s appointment as the Zonal Coordinator for RECOWA/CERAO (ECOWAS) Zone and her inclusion in the Caritas Internationalis Board is seen as a renewed hope for the advancement of gender equality within the Catholic Church and the strengthening of Caritas’s mission to address global social and humanitarian challenges.

The inauguration ceremony for the newly elected executives of Caritas Internationalis will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Rome.

Rev. Sr. Regina Ignatia Aflah, HDR, is a lawyer and an Adjunct Lecturer with the UPSA Law School. She is also the Coordinator for Human Rights and Justice at Caritas Ghana. Over the last decades, she has been involved in extensive humanitarian work and Human Rights advocacy, using her rich experience to champion respect for the liberty of mankind, especially in deprived communities.

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She is a highly enthusiastic and resourceful professional with over 16 years of progressive experience in Administration and Human Resource Management. Sr. Regina holds an LLM in Human Rights Law from the University of London, UK, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development in Rwanda.

She is a Member and the Executive Secretary of Youth for Human Rights Africa. Sr. Regina Ignatia Aflah belongs to the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer of Accra, a religious society under the leadership of the Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Ghana.