A Ghanaian delegation led by the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana (CMSR-Gh), and Religious leading various initiatives under the Conference joined more than 130 Catholic sisters, Church leaders and development partners from 23 countries at the 2026 Catholic Sisters Initiative Convening held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 10–12 June.
The gathering, organised under the theme “Journeying Together in Solidarity and Hope: Strengthening Communities and Cultivating Shared Impact for the Common Good,” provided a global platform for Catholic sisters and their collaborators to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and explore innovative responses to contemporary social challenges.
Representing Ghana were Sr Lucy Hometowu, SMMC, President of CMSR-Gh; Sr Theodora Adzayawo, SMMC, Executive Secretary of CMSR-Gh; Fr Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, SMA, President of the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of West Africa (RECOMSWA); Sr Olivia Umoh, DC, Immediate Past National Coordinator of Talitha Kum Ghana; Sr Victoria Swanzy, SSND, Project Manager of the Catholic Sisters Elderly Care Network Ghana; Sr Francisca Damoah, SIJ, Country Director of the Africa Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) Ghana; and Sr Regina Ignatia Aflah, HDR, Coordinator of the Consecrated Women Lawyers Network Ghana.
The participation of the Ghanaian delegation highlighted the growing contribution of CMSR-Gh and its partner ministries in areas including safeguarding, anti-human trafficking initiatives, education, legal advocacy, youth empowerment and care for elderly sisters.
Throughout the convening, participants reflected on issues of human dignity, community transformation, safeguarding, storytelling and advocacy, while sharing best practices from ministries serving vulnerable communities across the world.
Addressing participants, Sr Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, PhD, Associate Vice President of Program Operations and Head of the Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, encouraged sisters to continue building stronger communities through collaboration and shared learning.
The convening also featured presentations from Church leaders and experts, including Fr Hans Zollner, SJ, Director of the Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Emphasising the Gospel foundation of safeguarding ministry, he told participants: “The centre of safeguarding is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Saviour.”
The event further underscored the importance of collaboration within the Church, with speakers highlighting the need for stronger networks among bishops, clergy, religious women and men, and lay collaborators to address emerging social and pastoral challenges.
For CMSR-Gh, participation in the international gathering reinforced its commitment to strengthening religious life and expanding collaborative ministry in Ghana. The conference provided opportunities for networking, mutual learning and the sharing of successful models that can contribute to the Church’s mission in the country and across the region.
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