Fr. Silvano Galli, SMA

Yokoé, western outskirts of Lomé, Saturday, April 11, 2026 .
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Rubén Darío Ruiz Mainardi, presided over the blessing and inauguration of the “Ahonhon” Neuropsychological Centre (“brain” in Ewe), a new facility dedicated to the care of neurological and psychological disorders, intended to serve both Togo and the wider West African region.

Located about 15 kilometers from downtown Lomé, near the Medical Centre of the Sisters of the Holy Family and Saint John the Baptist Parish, the center is part of a broader effort to strengthen specialized healthcare services across West Africa.

The project was initiated by Fr. Jean-Paul Lawson, a Togolese neuropsychologist, a member of the Society of African Missions (SMA), who will serve as its director. The “Ahonhon” Centre aims to promote brain health, provide neuropsychological support to patients, and advance research on neurological diseases.

The inauguration ceremony, broadcast live on SMA-Togo TV and Radio Maria, brought together a wide range of participants, including SMA priests, OLA Sisters, Sisters of the Holy Family, partners, friends of the project, as well as the artisans and workers who contributed to the construction of the facility.

In his address, Fr. Lawson expressed his gratitude to all those involved in making the project a reality, with special recognition given to the workers. In a gesture warmly received by the audience, he mentioned several of them by name, highlighting their specific contributions at different stages of the construction.

Guests were then invited to tour the facility, discovering its various departments spread across multiple levels, reflecting the project’s ambition. The ceremony continued in a convivial atmosphere with refreshments shared on the ground floor.

The day concluded at the SMA Provincial House, where the Apostolic Nuncio met with SMA priests from southern Togo, followed by a festive meal shared in a spirit of fraternity.

Through this inauguration, the Church reaffirms its commitment to healthcare, particularly in the still underdeveloped field of brain health, in service of human dignity and the well-being of communities.