Seventh chapter of the West Africa district
The seventh chapter of the district of West Africa was held Aug. 13 – 17 in Accra, Ghana, during which the new provincial superior, Brother Cyprian Bankakuu Gandeebo, took up office replacing Brother Francis Yufenyuy Lukong.
The province of Mediterranea is responsible for the district of West Africa, which is why the provincial of Mediterranea, Brother Juan Carlos Fuertes Marí, was among the participants. General councillor Brother Ken McDonald also attended, on behalf of the general administration.
During the chapter, the district council was elected: Brothers Tata Oliver Tunka, Etienne Balma, Sebastian Erong Kanguri and Alfred Samedi.
Participants were three members by right, 17 members by election and five invited members, which included a lay person.
“The Chapter of the District of West Africa was a true experience of fraternity. Representatives from the five countries of the District came together and spoke with honesty, enthusiasm and hope about the next three years,” affirmed Br Ken McDonald. “The periods of discussion and prayer resulted in a final document that gives the District significant direction in the areas of leadership, community, mission and finance for the next three years.”
The priorities for the following three years discussed during the chapter relate to finance, community living, leadership and mission.
When discussing finance, they stressed the importance of establishing the goal of becoming 80% self-sufficient within three years. To obtain this, they will improve the financial guidelines, optimize the use of their available resources and create new ones, eliminate leakages and encourage goodwill on the part of those managing their resources.
Regarding community living, the Chapter established the goal of turning the district’s communities into homes where they can “encounter God and strengthen their intercultural fraternity.” To achieve this, spaces will be created for spiritual growth and for building fraternal life. Brothers will also be more committed to appreciating cultural diversity, placing symbols that reflect diversity in their communities and by being willing to move abroad.
On leadership, the district has the goal of “aiming at self-rule, wishing to adopt a participatory leadership style.” It is hoping to improve its communication and to embrace the status of ‘Province’ after it evaluates the structure of governance, management and animation.
When the chapter discussed mission, it set the goal of bringing Jesus to young people especially those most in need. To achieve it, the participants committed to making the schools safer places, to establishing a mission and pastoral plan for schools, and to promote vocations.