Sr. Hometowu elected head of Ghana’s Conference of Major Superiors of Religious

The Conference of Major Superiors of Religious – Ghana (CMSR-Gh) has elected Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu, SMMC, as its new president.

She was confirmed as the head of Ghana’s Conference of Major Superiors of Religious during the body’s second biennial conference, held in Brofoyaw in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast from October 6–10, 2025.

Themed “Consecrated Life for Human Rights Protection and Ecological Justice,” the gathering brought together leaders of religious congregations across Ghana to reflect on their roles in promoting social justice, environmental stewardship, and the future of consecrated life in the country.

A key highlight of the conference was the election of a new executive on October 9, 2025, to serve for the next four years. The officers elected are Fr. Dennis Pam, M. Afr, Vice President, Sr. Martina Dery, CSC, Treasurer with Sr. Joana Agbotse, HSC , Sr. Perpetua Acquah, OLA , Friar Vitus Mensah, OFM Conv and Fr. Raphael Kobina Annan, CSSp serving as Councillors.

In her acceptance speech, Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and pledged to foster unity, collaboration, and renewal among religious congregations in Ghana. She emphasized the importance of shared mission and ongoing formation to respond to the social and pastoral needs of the Church and society.

The conference also featured sessions on leadership, spirituality, and the role of the religious in national challenges, with illegal mining (galamsey) emerging as a central issue.

In a goodwill message, Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate, urged stakeholders not to relent in the fight against galamsey. He also charged consecrated people “not to be advocates only but also to take practical steps to eradicate the ills of ecological destruction and to protect the environment.” He added, “Our vocation cannot ignore the devastation of Ghana’s rivers through illegal mining, destruction of forests and poisoning of farmlands.”

Most Rev. Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast and host of the conference, described galamsey as “demonic.” Guest speakers Friar Joseph Blay, OFM Conv., and Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu, MP for Madina and human rights activist, echoed the call for decisive action against illegal mining.

Participants renewed their commitment to living Gospel values through service and witness, emphasizing practical action for human rights, environmental protection, and ecological justice.

The CMSR-Gh continues to strengthen collaboration among male and female religious institutes and enhance their collective mission within the Church and society. As the Jubilee Year theme “Pilgrims of Hope” suggests, the conference participants expressed hope for a brighter future for Ghana through practical steps to protect human dignity and the environment.

Outgoing President Rev. Fr. Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, SMA, congratulated Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu and wished her success in her new role.