Guinea Conakry
Population: 7.5 million
Life expectancy male/female: 43/47 years
Infant mortality rate: 136‰ (1997)
Illiteracy: 27% (1992 ) Religions: Muslim 75%; Animists 20%; Christians 5%
Independence: 28 September 1958 (from France)
GDP per capita: US$ 550 (1995)

After the expulsion of foreign missionaries by Sékou Touré in 1967, the Church had no help from outside for many years. Finally, the Spiritans were invited to return to the Diocese of Conakry to work in difficult areas, largely first evangelisation. They are now working in five centres, of which the most recent are Dalaba (diocesan centre for formation) and Conakry (urban parishes and radio). In 1994, the new bishop of Kankan invited them to work in an area of first evangelisation and with refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia. There are now 15 confreres in the country.