Accra: The Church in Ghana is preparing to make history as it hosts the first-ever West Africa Youth Day (WAYD Accra 2026) in September 2026 — a 10-day celebration expected to bring together thousands of young Catholics from across West Africa for an encounter of faith, fellowship, and cultural exchange.
Organized under the auspices of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA/CERAO) and the Regional Coordination of Catholic Youth in West Africa (RECCYWA), the landmark event will serve as a continental platform for deepening spirituality, strengthening cross-cultural relationships, and inspiring missionary commitment among the region’s youth.
The West Africa Youth Day (Accra 2026) will unfold in two main phases: five days of diocesan immersion followed by four days of grand celebration in Accra. Delegations from all national conferences in West Africa are expected to send at least 100 youth participants each, in addition to hundreds of young people from Ghana’s 20 dioceses and archdioceses.
The event, modeled on the spirit of the World Youth Day, aims to provide a formative and transformative experience for participants, blending prayer, catechesis, and community engagement with cultural interaction and missionary outreach.
The first half of the Youth Day will feature a pastoral immersion in five host dioceses Kumasi, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Ho, and Sekondi-Takoradi where pilgrims will live, pray, and serve among local communities.
During these days, participants will engage in parish Eucharistic celebrations, cultural exchanges, sports and games, volunteer projects, and interactions with local youth apostolates. Each Local Organising Committee (LOC) will oversee hospitality, logistics, and faith-based activities, ensuring every pilgrim experiences Ghana’s vibrant Catholic life and cultural warmth.
“These first days will allow the young people to experience the Church at the grassroots, to live the faith with Ghanaian families, and to serve together in unity,” a spokesperson from the national organizing committee shared.
Following their diocesan experiences, all delegations will gather in Accra for the four-day climax of the West Africa Youth Day. Hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the final phase will include catechetical sessions, youth conferences, Eucharistic celebrations, workshops, and cultural performances from across West Africa.
The main events will focus on faith formation, leadership training, missionary zeal, and intercultural harmony themes aimed at equipping young Catholics to become ambassadors of peace and hope in their respective countries.
A central highlight will be the Missionary Commitment Night, during which youth will renew their dedication to serve the Church and society with courage and compassion.
The Central Planning Committee (CPC), chaired by Fr. James Bour-Mensah and endorsed by Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, and Bishop John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, is spearheading preparations.
A multi-tiered fundraising strategy is being developed to ensure the event’s success, involving parishes, dioceses, Catholic associations, private sponsors, benefactors, and state agencies. The committee aims to make WAYD 2026 not only spiritually enriching but also logistically seamless and financially sustainable.
The official launch of the West Africa Youth Day (Accra 2026) will take place in November 2025 in Accra, marking the formal start of preparations. During the ceremony, Ghana will receive the Youth Day Cross and the Icon of Mary, two sacred symbols representing unity, pilgrimage, and devotion across West Africa.
The event will also unveil the official logo, theme, and prayer of the Youth Day, setting in motion a year-long journey of faith and anticipation that will culminate in September 2026.
The forthcoming West Africa Youth Day (Accra 2026) is expected to become a milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in the region, marking a new chapter of faith-driven solidarity, youth empowerment, and evangelization.
As the countdown begins, Catholic youth across West Africa look forward to a transformative gathering where, united under one faith and one mission, they will echo the words of the Gospel.