12th RECOWA/CERAO Rectors’ Conference opens in Accra

The 12th RECOWA/CERAO Rectors’ Conference has officially opened at St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom, Accra, bringing together rectors and formators from seminaries across West Africa from January 14 to 17. The conference is being held under the theme “Building on a Rock: A Solid and a Holistic Formation.”

Welcoming participants, the host Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Okine-Quartey, described the gathering as an opportunity for deep reflection on priestly formation that goes beyond academic instruction to embrace human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions. He underscored the need for formators themselves to be credible witnesses, rooted in friendship with Christ, fraternity among priests, and collaboration with the baptized faithful.

In his address, the host Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, highlighted the responsibility entrusted to rectors in forming future priests for the Church in West Africa. He touched on contemporary challenges facing seminaries and reaffirmed the Church’s established norms and expectations regarding priestly formation, encouraging rectors to exercise discernment and fidelity to Church teaching.

Speaking on behalf of the RECOWA/CERAO leadership, the First Vice President, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, focused on the centrality of sound liturgical formation. He cautioned against liturgical abuses and emphasized that seminarians must be formed to celebrate the Church’s liturgy and sacraments with reverence, preparation, and obedience to ecclesial authority.

Also addressing the opening session, the Chairman of the Ghana Bishops’ Conference Seminaries Commission, Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang, Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, encouraged rectors to persevere in their demanding task of discernment and accompaniment.

He drew attention to emerging challenges such as digital culture and artificial intelligence, while reaffirming the importance of grounding formation on Christ as the solid rock.