“Strengthen Your Communication System”: Ghana’s Ambassador Encourages SMA During Visit to Rome

By Pierre Paul Anani Dossekpli

During a visit to the SMA General House, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Ben Batabe Assorow, emphasized the urgent need for stronger communication in the life and mission of the Church.

A call to strengthen communication resonated during a recent visit to the General House of the Society of African Missions (SMA) in Rome.

“Strengthen your communication system.”

This was the message delivered by His Excellency Mr. Ben Batabe Assorow, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Holy See, during his visit on March 10.

The ambassador was welcomed by the Superior General of the Society, Fr. François du Penhoat, in the presence of Fr. Damian, Vice Superior General, and Fr. Dennis Etti, a Ghana-born member of the Society and Director of the PACEM Project Office.

Reflecting on the role of communication in the Church, Ambassador Assorow warned that investment in this field remains insufficient.

“When you are not able to communicate, you are dead.”
— H.E. Ben Batabe Assorow, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Holy See

He stressed the importance of forming people capable of communicating the Church’s message effectively.

“We are not investing enough in the human person,” he said, insisting that the Church has “a lot to give” if it develops stronger capacities to share its message with the world.

Addressing the Society of African Missions in particular, the ambassador encouraged the strengthening of its communication structures, underlining that communication is not only a technical matter but is deeply connected to formation and mission.

“I came to introduce myself to the SMA,” he explained, recalling the Society’s long-standing missionary presence in Ghana. The visit, he added, was inspired by a spirit of collaboration and a desire to explore “what we can do together.”

Ambassador Assorow presented his Letters of Credence to Pope Leo on November 13, 2025, marking the official beginning of his diplomatic mission as Ghana’s representative to the Holy See.

Before entering diplomacy, he built an extensive career in journalism and Church communications. Over the years, he served in several roles across radio, television, print media, and ecclesial institutions. His responsibilities included Assistant Secretary in the Department of Communications of the Catholic Church (1981–1983), Acting Secretary (1983–1988), Acting Editor of the Catholic weekly The Standard (1984–1985 and 1995–1998), Executive Secretary (1988–2006), and Acting Manager of The Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd. (1996–2000).

He later served as Director of Communications for the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) from 2005 to 2016 and as a member of Ghana’s National Media Commission from 2019 to 2025.

Born in Navrongo in northern Ghana, Ambassador Assorow studied Missiology and Communication at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1993 to 1995. His long experience at the intersection of journalism, Church communication, and public life gives particular weight to his reflections on the importance of communication for the Church today.

Fr. François du Penhoat welcomed the visit with appreciation. “I am very happy,” he said. “I think it is important to remain in contact with him.”

The ambassador’s message also comes at a significant moment for the Society of African Missions, which has recently begun a deeper reflection on its communicative dimension.

On March 5–6, the SMA General Council held a working session dedicated to communication, including a presentation by Prof. Marco Carroggio of the School of Church Communications at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. His reflection focused on the relationship between governance and communication.

In this context, Ambassador Assorow’s encouragement to strengthen communication resonates strongly with the SMA ongoing efforts to deepen how it shares its missionary experience and engages with the wider Church and society.

At a time marked by growing polarization and fragmentation in the public sphere, strengthening communication within the Church remains not only a technical challenge but also a pastoral and missionary priority.