Ghana’s Catholic bishops have opened their 2026 Plenary Assembly with a call for every baptised believer to take part in the Church’s mission, and with sharp concerns about illegal mining, corruption and the country’s constitutional review.
The assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) began on Monday, November 9, at Our Lady of Grace Senior High School in Mamponteng, in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese. Its theme looks ahead to the Catholic Church’s 150th anniversary in Ghana.
Mission is not only for clergy
In his keynote address, GCBC President Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Sunyani said evangelisation is not limited to bishops, priests and religious. He said every believer shares in Christ’s mission through baptism and confirmation.
“The Church does not exist for herself; she exists to proclaim Christ,” he said. He urged the Church to draw young people, women, teachers, health workers, farmers, traders and people on the margins into its life and decisions.
On the constitutional review, Bishop Gyamfi asked Parliament, the Executive and the review bodies to put national interest and broad consensus ahead of partisan considerations.
Galamsey a threat to rivers and land
The host bishop, Bishop John Opoku-Agyemang of Konongo-Mampong, described illegal mining as one of the biggest threats facing Ghana because of its destruction of rivers and land. He said some communities in his own diocese are involved and have been hard to persuade to stop.
He also raised nepotism, poverty, youth unemployment, the commercialisation of religion and the rise of self-proclaimed prophets. He asked the bishops to use the assembly to agree practical steps.
The National Chairman of the National Catholic Laity Council, Sir John Kofi Tandoh, praised the bishops’ earlier statements on galamsey and corruption. He said speaking on moral issues is part of the Church’s calling and is different from partisan politics.
Source: ACI Africa, 10 November 2026.
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Faithful Scribe is a passionate writer dedicated to exploring Christian teachings and inspiring believers to live out their faith with purpose and conviction. For more insightful articles, stay connected with Charismata News.
