Catholic men from across the Archdiocese of Accra gathered at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Kaneshie, on Monday, September 21, 2026, for the maiden Annual Congress of the Accra Archdiocesan Catholic Men’s Association (AACMA), with renewed calls for deeper Christian formation, stronger family life and greater service to the Church and society.
Held on the theme, “Consolidating Our Gains, Building Stronger Catholic Men for the Church and Society,” the congress brought together clergy, lay leaders and delegates from parishes across the Archdiocese to reflect on the mission of Catholic men in the life of the Church.
Delivering the keynote address, former Chairman of the Association’s Interim Committee, Mr. Sidney Justin Tehoda, reflected on the Association’s journey from its formative stages to its first congress.
“What we see today did not happen overnight. It came through prayer. It came through conversations. It came through the commitment of His Grace, the Archbishop and his auxiliaries, priests, parish leaders and lay men. It came through meetings, consultations, disagreements, adjustments and, above all, perseverance,” he said.
While acknowledging the progress made, he reminded members that growth alone should not be the measure of success.
“The real test of an organisation is not simply whether it has grown. The real test is whether that growth is producing the results for which it was established,” Mr. Tehoda added.
He further urged the Association to place greater emphasis on the formation of Catholic men. Saying that, “We must move from simply being an organisation of Catholic men to becoming a formation movement for Catholic men.”
He added that the Association should ultimately produce “men whose lives bear witness to Christ.”
Addressing the congress, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, called on Catholic men to deepen their spiritual lives by remaining close to Christ through the sacraments.
“The Catholic man cannot be strong spiritually if he remains distant from the sacramental life of the Church,” he said.
“I therefore encourage every member of this Association to make Sunday Mass, frequent reception of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, personal prayer and meditation on Sacred Scripture central to his life,” the Bishop added.
He also reminded Catholic men that their first responsibility is within the family.
“The Catholic husband is called to love his wife with self-giving love. The Catholic father is called to be a spiritual father who introduces his children to Christ, teaches them to pray, brings them to Mass and witnesses to the Gospel through his daily life.”
He further encouraged members to allow their faith to shape every aspect of their lives.
“Consequently, Catholic men must bring Christian integrity into business, politics, public service, education, professional life, traditional leadership and community development.”
Welcoming delegates to the historic gathering, AACMA President Mr. Patrick Ebo Addo described the congress as a milestone for Catholic men in the Archdiocese.
“For the first time, delegates from every parish, from Ada to Weija, from Tema to Kaneshie, have gathered under one roof, with one faith, one purpose, and one voice.”
He called on members to become stronger witnesses of the Gospel in their homes and communities.
“But the question today is: What next? As men, we cannot remain on the sidelines. The Church needs stronger Catholic men – men who pray with their families, men who are present at Mass with their children, men who live their marriage vows faithfully, men who are honest at the workplace, men who say NO to corruption, alcoholism, and domestic neglect. Society needs Catholic men who are models of integrity.”
Mr. Addo urged delegates to ensure the congress leads to lasting renewal.
“Therefore, brothers, let this maiden congress not be just about speeches and communique. Let it be a moment of renewal.”
He further stressed the importance of strengthening Catholic men for the benefit of families, the Church and society.
“If we get the Catholic man right, we will get the family right. If we get the family right, we will get the Church and society right.”
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