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Education, Forum

STRENGTHENING COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC READINESS

On 19th August 2025, Caritas Ghana brought together Diocesan Development Officers (DDOs) at the Akwaaba Lodge of Accra Technical University for an internal workshop aimed at deepening coordination, preparing for the future, and strengthening alignment with the new strategic framework (2025–2030). The gathering, hinged on the theme: Strengthening Coordination and Strategic Readiness, was an important prelude to the Donors Conference scheduled for the following day, ensuring dioceses were well-positioned for collective engagement with development partners.

Mr. Richard Nyaaba Akurugu, the Executive Director of Caritas Ghana, delivering its Welcome Address.

A SPIRIT OF UNITY AND PURPOSE
The workshop opened with a warm welcome from the Executive Director of Caritas Ghana, who underscored the values of solidarity, accountability, and coordinated action as Caritas Ghana embarks on a new strategic cycle. In his Welcome Address, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Episcopal Chair of Caritas Ghana, stressed the following:
1. the need for the Church to be self-reliant in financing development initiatives in the respective dioceses;
2. the need for the Church to raise funds from within, thus appealing to locals and corporate bodies;
3. being honest and accountable to stakeholders in project/programme implementation while being efficient in fund utilization.
This was followed by a reflection from the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), who emphasized the Church’s mission of service and justice, urging dioceses to work together for greater national impact.

Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, President of Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference; Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, Second Deputy Secretary General of SECAM and Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, Director of IDEAS.

REFLECTIONS THAT INSPIRED
A rich exchange of experiences and ideas set the tone for the day:

  • The Former National Director of Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, shared practical lessons on strengthening coordination, donor engagement, and building responsive systems that remain accountable to communities.
  • Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, in his keynote on “Re-imagining Catholic Development”, challenged participants to think beyond structures, advocating for localization, decolonized aid, collaborative ecosystems, and financial resilience. He proposed bold steps such as a Catholic Development Fund, shared accountability frameworks, and stronger donor coordination platforms.
  • Catholic Relief Services (CRS), represented by Ms. Jemilatu Mashood, reaffirmed CRS longstanding partnership with Caritas Ghana and introduced its Local Leadership Strategy (2024–2029), calling for joint programming and shared resource mobilization as sustainable pathways for the future.
Most Rev. Gabriel Kumordji, SVD, Episcopal Chair of Caritas Ghana and Bishop of Keta-Akatsi; Ms. Jemila Mashood, the Localisation, Partnership and Capacity Building Advisor of Catholic Relief Services-Ghana and Dr. Joseph Taabazuing, a former lecturer of GIMPA.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR IMPACT
Technical sessions, facilitated by Dr. Joseph Taabazuing, offered DDOs practical tools to strengthen their work:

  • A presentation of the Strategic Framework 2025–2030 outlined national priorities in community-rooted development, diocesan synergy, accountability, and sustainability. Dioceses were tasked with aligning their development plans accordingly.
  • An orientation on the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Framework introduced harmonized diocesan reporting standards and agreed bi-annual reporting schedules.
  • A Project Concept Pitch, led by Mr. Eugene Yirbuor, allowed DDOs to refine five proposed project concepts, ensuring they were aligned with both the Strategic Framework and MEAL standards.
Mr. Eugene Yirbuor and a cross-section of dignitaries and Diocesan Development Officers.

OUTCOMES AND COMMITMENTS
By the close of the workshop, the Diocesan Development Officers/Caritas Directors had:

  • Strengthened diocesan readiness for the new Strategic Framework 2025–2030.
  • Committed to shared MEAL standards and harmonized reporting.
  • Reviewed and called for refining of the project ideas.
  • Renewed solidarity and partnership for collective impact.

 THE ROAD AHEAD
The workshop concluded with clear commitments: diocesan workplans will be aligned immediately with the new framework, the MEAL system institutionalized across dioceses, and platforms established for donor coordination and resource mobilization. Regular reflection and peer-learning sessions will also continue, ensuring Catholic philanthropy in Ghana grows stronger, more coordinated, and more impactful.

As Caritas Ghana steps into its new strategic cycle, the Internal Workshop with DDOs was not just a preparatory exercise, but a reaffirmation of the Church’s commitment to service, justice, and transformative development for the people of Ghana.

A prayer of gratitude to Catholic Relief Services-Ghana and the CRS EMPOWER Team for their indefatigable technical and financial assistance, making it possible for this workshop to be implemented. Grateful also to Dr. Baah-Danquah and Rev. Sr. Mercy Benson, SSpS, for making time to participate in the workshop. Thanks to all the resource persons for their impactful reflections, and to Rev. Fr. Dieu Donne Davor, the Director of DEPSOCOM-NCS, for moderating the entire workshop. Thanks also go to all the representatives under the Department of Human Development for honouring the invitation to participate in this august workshop.

To the Diocesan Development Officers/Caritas Directors, being the primary beneficiaries, thanks for availing yourselves though coming from far and near to make this workshop a success. Finally, to the Staff of Caritas Ghana, “Ayekoooooo, Kudos”, for your selfless dedication and commitment to have this workshop happen as planned. To God be the glory!

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