The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Rev. Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, has embarked on a historic ten-day apostolic visit to the North-West Africa Province (ANW), beginning Saturday, October 10, 2026. This journey marks the first-ever visit by the Father General to the five-country province, which comprises Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia.
The highly anticipated regional tour is hosted by the ANW Provincial Superior, Fr. John Ghansah, SJ. According to a statement released by the ANW spokesperson, Fr. Chijioke Azuawusiefe, SJ, the extensive itinerary is designed to enable Fr. Sosa to witness firsthand how Jesuits and their collaborators address the needs of both the Church and local communities in the West African sub-region.
Accompanying Father General from Rome are Fr. Chukwunyenum “Chuks” Afiawari, SJ, who serves as the global Director of Communications for the Society of Jesus and the interim Regional Assistant for Africa, alongside Fr. Jesús Miguel Zaglul Criado, SJ, General Counselor of the Society of Jesus. During the ten-day tour, Father General will travel from Liberia through Ghana, ultimately concluding his journey in Nigeria.
His route brings him directly to various Jesuit communities, schools, parishes, and social ministries in Monrovia (Wein Town and Caldwell), Liberia; Accra and Cape Coast in Ghana; and Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, and Port Harcourt in Nigeria. He will pay courtesy visits to prelates and ecclesial authorities in these locations as well as meet and celebrate the Eucharist with Jesuits and their partners in mission.
The commitment to this widespread ministry is rooted in the origins of the Order. Commonly known as the Jesuits, the Society of Jesus is a religious order within the Catholic Church founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola and officially recognized by Pope Paul III. The Order has achieved a vast global spread across nearly every continent.
Historically instrumental in missionary frontiers, the Jesuits’ primary apostolic engagements today focus on education, pastoral ministry, intellectual research, spiritual formation through the Spiritual Exercises, and local initiatives dedicated to human rights, reconciliation, and social justice. The story of the North-West Africa Province (ANW) itself dates back to the mid-20th century.
Elected in 2016, Fr. Arturo Sosa is the 31st Superior General of the Jesuits and holds the historic distinction of being the first Latin American and first non-European to lead the Order since its inception. Fr. Arturo Sosa’s visit represents a historic chapter for the ANW Province, providing the Province a meaningful space to share its joy, reflect on its apostolic priorities, and evaluate its growth.
Key points
- Fr. Arturo Sosa is the first Jesuit Superior General to visit the North-West Africa Province.
- The visit aims to strengthen the shared work entrusted to the Order and understand local realities and challenges.
- Fr. Sosa’s tour includes visits to various Jesuit communities, schools, and social ministries in multiple West African countries.
