Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Ghana’s Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has called on Priests, Religious, and lay faithful across the Metropolitan See to prepare spiritually and materially for what he describes as a defining moment in the life of the Catholic Church in Ghana, as the country prepares to host nearly 4,000 young Catholics from across West Africa for the West Africa Youth Days (WAYD) 2026.
In a pastoral letter issued July 11, Archbishop Kwofie appealed for the support of the faithful as Ghana prepares for the gathering from September 7–11 at Achimota School in Accra.
The event is expected to bring together young Catholics from countries that make up the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) for prayer, catechesis, cultural exchange, and missionary formation.
“This is a huge task for the Catholic Church in Ghana,” Archbishop Kwofie said, emphasizing that hosting the regional gathering is both “a privilege and a responsibility” for the local Church.
Source: https://www.aciafrica.org
He explained that although approximately 4,000 participants are expected, each participating country has been allocated a maximum of 100 youth delegates, accompanied by Bishops, Archbishops, and other representatives, to ensure that available facilities can adequately accommodate all pilgrims.
Beyond logistical preparations, the Catholic Archbishop urged Catholics to embrace the event as an opportunity to live out the Gospel through generous hospitality.
“Our Bishops in Ghana have asked us to host our youths from West Africa and their counterparts from all the dioceses and archdioceses in Ghana,” he said. Archbishop Kwofie emphasized that welcoming the pilgrims should go beyond providing accommodation.
“It requires us to show our spiritual preparedness by not only welcoming them from their countries but making them feel at home,” the Ghanaian member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers/CSSp.) said.
He said the gathering offers the Church in Ghana an opportunity to strengthen ecclesial communion by demonstrating Christian charity and fraternity to young Catholics from across the sub-region.
As part of the program, pilgrims will visit selected parishes within the Archdiocese of Accra, where they will experience Ghana's rich Catholic heritage through liturgical celebrations and encounters with local faith communities.
According to the Catholic Archbishop, the parish visits will include celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and opportunities for cultural exchange, enabling visiting pilgrims to experience the vibrant life of the Church in Ghana while building lasting friendships with local Catholics.
The Spiritan Archbishop described the forthcoming gathering as an opportunity for the Church in Ghana to express its appreciation for the youth of West Africa.
“This is the time we show our appreciation of our youth in West Africa who will be coming to Ghana,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the local Church's readiness, Archbishop Kwofie said he believes the faithful will work together to make the event “a memorable and unforgettable visit for everyone.”
He urged Catholics throughout the Archdiocese to contribute generously through prayer, volunteer service, and material support to ensure the successful hosting of the international gathering.
Archbishop Kwofie noted that a list of parishes designated to host the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) WAYD pilgrims on September 10 has been attached to his pastoral letter, inviting parish communities to begin preparations well in advance.
The West Africa Youth Days is one of the region's largest Catholic youth gatherings, bringing together thousands of young people for prayer, catechesis, liturgical celebrations, cultural exchange, and encounters with Church leaders.
The event seeks to strengthen the faith of young Catholics while promoting unity among the Churches of West Africa.
For Ghana, hosting the 2026 edition marks a significant milestone, placing the country's Catholic Church at the heart of regional
evangelization efforts and highlighting its commitment to accompanying young people as active participants in the Church's mission.
