On the 15th of June 2025, at Nkwatia in the eastern region of Ghana, the long-awaited hope of having a new bus came to materialization. The Divine Word novitiate received a new 15-seater TOYOTA HAICE to enhance the formation programs. Prior to the presentation of the vehicle, there was mass presided by Very Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, the Provincial Superior, of the Ghana-Liberia Province. Rev. Fr. Titus Tuoyintir, SVD, blessed the vehicle, dedicating it to God and committing it use to mother Mary for her consistent intercession. Rev. Brother Charles Ashun SVD, Rev. Fr. Visencious Wanggye, SVD and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azure, SVD together with all the novices were present to witness this sacred and joyful moment.Rev. Fr. Titus the novice master thanked the provincial superior and his councilors and all stake holders. “I am very grateful to the Provincial Superior and his councilors, The Project and Development Office (P.D.O) Team and all stakeholders who have made this our long-awaited hope to come to light”. The bus will be very beneficial for the day to day running of the novitiate. By. Rev. Fr. Titus, SVD

Founded by Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, SVD, in collaboration with the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the foundation was created to consolidate and sustain Fr. Campbell’s decades-long charitable work, particularly after his retirement from active pastoral ministry. The Foundation has since become a beacon of hope for many marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana. As the Foundation celebrates this milestone, the leadership expresses profound gratitude to all benefactors, donors, volunteers, the media, and board members who have contributed their resources, time, and energy over the past three years.

The Arnold Janssen Spirituality Network (AJSN) marked a major milestone with the successful hosting of its first-ever AFRAM SVD-SSpS Workshop, held at the Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre in Accra, Ghana. The two-week intensive workshop, from May 18 to 30, 2025, brought together participants from across the AFRAM Zone for a deeply enriching encounter centered on the theme “Interculturality and Spirituality.” The workshop focused on key spiritual insights drawn from the founding generation of the Arnoldus Family. Participants explored the core of SVD Spirituality and Mission, deepening their appreciation for the legacy of St. Arnold Janssen and the congregations he inspired. A major theme was Spirituality and Community Life, where participants engaged in honest conversations addressing common misconceptions surrounding community life in religious congregations. Participants also received formation in: The sessions were both theoretical and practical, empowering the participants to return to their communities as agents of spiritual renewal and intercultural dialogue.As part of the experience, the group made a spiritual-cultural journey to Elmina, where they visited Elmina Castle — a site deeply connected to Ghana’s colonial and missionary history — and enjoyed the natural beauty of Kakum National Park.The workshop concluded with a guided retreat, allowing time for personal reflection, prayer, and recommitment. In the final session, participants were encouraged to share and promote the spiritual heritage of the Arnoldus Family in their communities

Coordinators of the Four Characteristic Dimensions of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in the Africa Madagascar Zone (AFram) gathered in the Capital Democratic Republic of Congo, for their triennial meeting. This meeting took place from the 1st to 7th June 2025 in Kinshasa. It was a moment of solemn reflection, development of strategies and a time to renew the missionary zeal of all the coordinators present. The four characteristic dimensions namely, Biblical Apostolate, Mission Animation, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), and Communication are foundational to the SVD’s charism and pastoral mission. The meeting saw representatives from various provinces and regions within the Afram Zone came together for days of deep dialogue, planning, and mutual support. In his opening remarks, the Provincial Superior of the Congo province emphasized the need for greater unity and contextual responsiveness in addressing the spiritual and social challenges of the time. “I invite all of you present to reflect taking into consideration the times we are in,” he noted. The meeting featured presentations on the current state of each dimension, the success stories of each dimension, the challenges and finally the way forward to making the dimensions visible and helpful for the people the SVD serves. In attendance was also the General coordinators of the various Characteristic Dimensions of the SVD from Rome. A highlight of the gathering was the adoption of a Final Statement, which outlines the major priorities for the next three years across the Afram Zone. These include: 1.            Strengthening the Biblical Apostolate by deepening Scripture engagement at all levels of society, especially among the youth and marginalized communities. 2.            Collaborating with VIVAT International and implementing Laudato Si’ to promote justice, peace, and care for creation through concrete grassroots actions. 3.            Enhancing collaboration with the Lay Partners of the SVD, recognizing their growing role in shared mission and leadership. 4.            Educating and making use of digital media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to innovate evangelization efforts and connect more effectively with the modern world. The host SVD Province in Congo provided generous hospitality and an enriching cultural environment, including visits to their parishes and institutions and also to places of apostolates where the SVD’s work is visibly transforming lives. The meeting concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, led by the general coordinators from Rome.

The SVD Ghana Media (Verbo Media) has been facing a series of alarming security breaches, with repeated attacks by robbers and hooligans threatening its mission of evangelization and media outreach.The wave of incidents began when a supposed customer requested to use the facility’s washroom, only for staff to later discover that a hard drive had gone missing. This was followed by multiple robbery operations targeting the media center on different occasions, leading to substantial losses.The most devastating of these incidents occurred in January 2025 when robbers forcefully entered the facility by destroying the electrified burglary-proof window. They looted various pieces of essential media equipment, further crippling the center’s ability to function. As if the thefts were not enough, an act of pure vandalism soon followed. In a nighttime attack, an unidentified hooligan used a large stone to shatter the facility’s big glass display window. While nothing was stolen in this particular incident, the act sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns over the safety and security of the center. Items stolen and destroyed are ranging at about 80,000 Ghana cedis. The director of Verbo media, Rev. Fr. Rex A. Vegbey, SVD express the extent of the damage these vandalism and robberies have caused to the operations of the institution. “These robberies have reversed our efforts in equipping the centre with the necessary gear. We have lost a chunk of the province files including videos and photos which were on the Hard drives as we could not afford back-up drives”, he said. He added that due to fear of the return of the robbers, the workers of the facility are living in fear, this has even affected how customer are served at the facility. “We are scared at the facility as we suspect the robbers may return during the day since the night did not give them the money they were expecting. This has made us to shut the door to the shop and serving customers through a pigeon hole. As a result, customers have no access to see the items displayed in the shop. We are confused as to what to do. The scare has heightened with the recent killings of momo cashiers as reported in the media. About a week ago two motor riders attacked a ‘koko’ (Ghanaian local porridge) seller in front of our facility and made away with her morning sales. Only last week, a hooligan destroyed our sign-post.’. The management of the facility are appealing to the general public to help the facility in anyway they can to help improve their security and also restock the place.

The Divine Word Catholic Conference Center in Adoagyiri-Nsawam, buzzed with energy from March 21st to 23rd as the SVD Lay Partners of the Ghana-Liberia Province came together for an uplifting and transformative congress themed “The SVD Lay Partners in the Church’s Mission.” This gathering was more than just an event; it was a heartfelt call to deepen their commitment to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the wider mission of the Church. Over the course of three days, attendees were treated to a series of enlightening presentations, engaging discussions, and a revitalized sense of purpose. The opening session kicked off with a thought-provoking presentation by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Danso Abeam, SVD, who took everyone on a journey through the rich history of the SVD Lay Partners and the legacy of St. Arnold Janssen. He emphasized how St. Arnold’s vision for lay involvement was all about empowering everyday people to become extraordinary missionaries. Fr. Abeam also highlighted how the General Chapters have evolved the role of Lay Partners over the years. The 16th General Chapter recognized the strong attraction to the SVD Charism, the 17th officially welcomed Lay Partners into the Arnoldus family, the 18th focused on sharing the charism with them, and the recent 19th General Chapter called for concrete actions to enhance their role in mission work. Rev. Fr. Samuel Adu, SVD, delivered a passionate address that got to the core of the congress theme. He stressed that mission isn’t just a task; it’s a divine calling (Missio Dei). He encouraged Lay Partners to embrace their roles with enthusiasm and to actively participate in evangelization in every aspect of their lives—whether at work, in their communities, or during everyday interactions. Fr. Titus Tuoyintir, SVD, enriched the discussions with his compelling insights on SVD spirituality. He spoke about the congregation’s Trinitarian spirituality and its steadfast commitment to the Divine Word, inspiring Lay Partners to see themselves as missionaries of the Word in today’s world. A standout moment of the congress was the enthusiastic involvement of the Provincial, which truly highlighted the spirit of collaboration and commitment among all participants. Another highlight of the congress was the election of new National Executives, a crucial step in strengthening the leadership and mission of the Lay Partners in the Ghana-Liberia Province. The newly elected officers are: •             Agnes Cobbinah – President •             Thomas Toyibu Imoro – Vice President •             Irene Atignongo – Secretary •             Christiana Mba – Assistant Secretary •             Martin Kumedzro – Financial Secretary •             Matilda J. A. Baah – Treasurer •             George Akansi – Organizer As the congress concluded, a renewed sense of purpose filled the air. The Lay Partners left with a deeper understanding of their mission, energized by the words of St. Arnold Janssen and the directives of the General Chapters. With unwavering commitment, they stand ready to be the light in a wounded world, carrying forward the vision of the 19th General Chapter and embracing their role as vibrant missionaries of the Divine Word.

On February 28, 2025, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Ghana-Liberia Province, Northern Zone Arnoldus Family, celebrated an incredible milestone – its 150th anniversary Symposium. The event took place at St. Victor’s Major Seminary, Assembly Hall in Tamale, and brought together a vibrant gathering of a bishop, priests, religious, seminarians, SVD lay associates, and esteemed guests. The symposium was a heartwarming reflection on the SVD’s remarkable contributions to evangelization, development, and intercultural dialogue in the Ghana Liberia province. Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, SVD, set a nostalgic tone as he shared his journey as a young priest assigned to Yendi, then under the Tamale Archdiocese. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the SVD, saying, “What I am today, it is because of the Society of the Divine Word, SVD.” His inspiring words encouraged young missionaries to immerse themselves in their assignments, learn from the communities they serve, and seek wisdom from experienced mentors. Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, Provincial Superior of the Ghana-Liberia Province, delivered an impassioned keynote address. He highlighted the SVD’s unwavering dedication to evangelization, development, and intercultural dialogue despite facing numerous challenges over the decades. Fr. Kuupol proudly noted the SVD’s global reach, with 187 confreres in the Ghana Province, 5,641 confreres worldwide, and representation from 76 nationalities. Professor Edward Salifu Mahama, the main speaker, captivated the audience with his reflections on the SVD’s 150-year legacy of faith in action. He emphasized that the SVD has been a beacon of hope in the Yendi Diocese, spreading the gospel and transforming lives. Prof. Salifu lauded the SVD’s pivotal role in conflict resolution, education, and community development in the Yendi Diocese. He challenged the SVD to continue empowering local communities and harness the power of technology to enhance their work in rural areas. A thought-provoking panel discussion on “The Future of Evangelisation, Development, and Intercultural Dialogue in the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province: A Collaborative Effort with the Society of the Divine Word” was moderated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathias Mornah, Dean of Studies at St. Victor’s Major Seminary. The panel featured insightful contributions from Rev. Fr. Stephen Dogodzi, SVD, Rev. Fr. Samuel Yaw Adu, SVD, and Madam Tamara Amina Sulemana. Sr. Adeline Ayivor, SSpS, Chairperson of the event, delivered a poignant reminder: “As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember that our mission is not just about the past, but about the present and the future. Let us continue to work together to spread the Good News and to serve the people of God.” The symposium was a jubilant and reflective celebration of 150 years of dedication and service by the SVD. It also underscored the ongoing mission to evangelize, develop, and foster intercultural dialogue in the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province and beyond. By Bro. Claret-Anthony Senam Kofi Akakpo SVD Postulant