The 2026 Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious Ghana (CMSR-Gh) will officially open in Wa tomorrow, October 6, bringing together Major Superiors of religious and consecrated persons in Ghana for a week-long gathering focused on the theme, “Synodal paths to mission sustainability: walking together in hope.”
The Assembly, being held at the In Service Training Centre in Wa from October 4 to 10, 2026, is expected to have in attendance, Bishop John Kobina Louis, Episcopal Chair in charge of Consecrated persons.
Ahead of the Assembly, Vice President of the Conference, Rev. Fr. Dennis Pam M.Afr., said he is looking forward to practical outcomes from the gathering, particularly on how congregations can work together to sustain their mission.
“I am looking forward to concrete decisions and suggestions on how we can collaborate in the spirit of synodality to sustain our mission collectively as a Conference and individually as independent congregations with different charisms.”
The theme of this year’s Assembly comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over the sustainability of missions that have depended on external donor funding.
“I think that the inspiration behind the choice of this theme is partly the consciousness that we have relied on donor agencies for far too long, and now the finances are dwindling. So for how long are we going to continue like this?”
Fr. Dennis said the Assembly will consider options and opportunities available to congregations within the context of their mission, while also looking at how congregations can collaborate more effectively.
“There are many congregations that depend solely on external donor funding for their survival and mission. So what happens when the funding stops?”
Among the issues he expects participants to address is how congregations can work together to serve their communities better and how the skills of younger consecrated persons can be harnessed.
“how do we come together as congregations to collaborate in view of serving our people better?”
He also said the Assembly will consider how younger consecrated persons can be empowered to contribute more effectively to the mission.
“How can we harness the skills and giftedness of the younger generations of consecrated persons, empower them to grow and manage our meager resources better in view of the mission?”
Fr. Dennis further pointed to the need for congregations to make better use of the resources and capacities already available to them.
“Many of us have properties but don’t have good administrators to guide us on how to exploit them for the mission; some have the leadership without the resources; some have both the leadership and resources but lack the ideas and skills required.”
He acknowledged the contribution external assistance has made to the work of congregations but said there is also a need for greater creativity and self-reliance.
“External aid has helped us a lot and has surely made a difference in our lives and the lives of those we are sent to serve, but at the same time it kills creativity and renders us sometimes intellectually lazy,” he said.
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