As a Catholic for that matter a youth in Ghana, the question that comes in mind is: “how are you abreast with the Mission and vocation Promotion of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus founded by St. Daniel Comboni In 1867 in Sudan, Africa?”
As part of the Comboni missionary Animation and Vocation drive in Ghana, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Gnaha, Director of Vocations and Mission Office of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus in the West African county interacted with the youth of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese at Juapong.
Numbering about 700 from all the parishes and outstations of the Diocese, the youth were gathered at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish at Juapong for their 6th Triennial Keta-Akatsi Youth Congress from August 25 to 28, 2022 during which Fr. Gnaha exposed them to the charisma of the Comboni Missionaries and the journey of their missionary formation.
He told the young people ranging between the ages 10 and 30, that the Combonis are a Religious and Missionary congregation comprising of brothers and priests dedicated for the Evangelization and the full development of the human person, specially the poorest and most abandoned in the society.
He encouraged the youth who are not more than 21 years who feel called by God to help announce the message of Christ beyond their own frontiers, promoting communion and co-operation between the Churches and stimulating reciprocal knowledge and the sharing of the rich diversity of the universal Church, to avail themselves to this call.
To enhance Missionary Animation drive, copies of the New People Magazine were distributed to the youths, who were seen keenly and joyfully reading the Magazine, with some commenting: “This Magazine is well known because I used to see some in my dad’s room”; “My mum used to encourage us to read this magazine but unfortunately I do not see it in circulation anymore;” “this is the first time I am seeing this magazine but getting a copy, I am attracted by the cover page and story headline.”
St. Daniel Comboni Consecrated His Life to the Preaching of the Good News of Christ in Africa. Some of his notable quotes are: “the only thing that matters to me is that Africa should hear the Gospel”,” I have only one life to consecrate. i consecrate it for the salvation of people”, “I wish I had a thousand to spend them all for such a purpose.”
This Mission is being continued by the Comboni Missionaries through their many Missionary activities in Ghana.
To reaffirm the Comboni principle of “Saving Africa with Africa” and following the plan of St. Daniel Comboni, the Combonis in Ghana continue to commit themselves above all to the formation of community leaders so that the persons and peoples whom they serve may be transformed into agents of evangelization for the spread of the Gospel among all peoples.
Furthermore, their charism opens people up to a wider vision of animation and proclamation, helping them overcome local interests, and acquire a truly ad gentes missionary sense and spirit.
In Ghana, the Comboni Missionaries operate in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, Accra Archdiocese and Cape Coast Archdiocese where they are promoting Vocations, and Mission as well as providing education, health care and good drinking water to the poor and needy.
In Keta-Akatsi, they are stationed at the Good Shepherd Parish at Mafi-Kumase; Accra at the Our Lady of Assumption (OLA) Parish, New Achimota; and Cape Coast at the St. Paul Catholic Church at Nkanfoa. They have their Postulancy in Accra with Fr. Evans Kotoku as the Formator, Scholasticate (Theolagate) at Cape Coast and Mission and Vocation Promotion Centre at the OLA Parish headed by Fr. Gnaha.
Their formation starts with minimum of two years of candidacy (aspirants) after which, the young man who had performed excellently at school is sent to the Postulancy. During his postulancy in Accra, they study Philosophy at the St. Paul’s Seminary, Sowutuom. After the Postulancy, they are sent to the Noviciate outside Ghana after which they are sent to one of the Combonis international scholasticate to learn Theology.
The Comboni Missionaries working Ghana are hoping to have many Ghanaians to work in many of the missions around the world.
By Damian Avevor
